Invisible Bond

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24No one should seek their own good, but the good of others." (1 Corinthians 10:23-24, NIV)

"The Daily Coach," June 16, 2025 edition, ran a piece on "the invisible bond that holds us together." It was about Aristotle and his idea that there is a glue to humanity that holds it together. "One of his most profound insights relates to how we bond with others—what drives commitment, and what makes relationships, both personal and professional, last. Aristotle believed that for any partnership to stand the test of time, there must be a third element each party attaches themselves to—something stronger than love. He called this element his transcendent third principle."

Paul is noting that as well. As our freedom from sin was taught and absorbed by those in Paul's time brought forth arguments still familiar today, even used from those in the faith, Paul had to reteach the truth. "It is lawful for me," the ESV states which is different from the NIV quoted above. Paul's response to the argument isn't to say, "You're wrong," but rather to say, rhetorically, is it for the common good? Does it build up? More importantly, how does it impact the good of others (NIV) or how does it reflect to my neighbor (ESV)?

Paul is addressing food eaten, and food eaten that may have been part of a sacrifice and the impact that has as our witness or testimony of our faith. The argument has expanded exponentially today, but the response is as old as its origin. God speaking to Israel on its idea of community and faithfulness to one another, including the sojourner in our midst in Leviticus 19 says to, "Love our neighbor as ourself." Christ says the same in Mark 12 and expands on the idea of "neighbor" in Luke 10.

The glue that holds us together, the fabric, is the love between us as Christ loved us. That's the third element Aristotle mentions, but his element wasn't faith and our commitment to one another. In our case as believers, surrender to Christ and love to one another is true freedom, as odd as that sounds.

As we observe the 4th of July tomorrow, let us reflect on our freedom. If love is an overused word (yesterday's devotion), then "rights" are a close second. As Paul says, not argumentatively, that isn't the point. The point is how my exercise of my rights, legal, or freedom(s) in faith, God-given, impacts my neighbor. How does it build up the Body of Christ? How does it speak or testify to my faith in my community?

Pray we cherish our freedom and not take it for granted. Pray we use our freedom wisely and in a way that speaks of our love of Christ and the freedom His love, mercy and grace have on our lives. Pray we use our freedom to speak and gather publicly as a testimony to that faith and that we exercise our freedoms wisely.