The Corinthian church arose from the centre of a city which was built on pagan culture and was the seat of Idolatry and Immorality. This brought many challenges to the normal Christian life in the Corinthian church. Besides, there were confusions that arose from disunity and factions; wrong teachings; confusions regarding marriage, The Lord’s Supper, Giving etc. The Holy Spirit in turn used this as a platform to address all these matters through two letters written by Apostle Paul; who was instrumental in planting that church. A careful study of the two letters of Corinthians, is very much important in today’s culture, due to the typical challenges Christians face in a more pagan culture all around us. 

Here in today's reading Paul was admonishing the Corinthians on the subject of Christian liberty. He brings out the spiritual principle by carefully going through the details. It may confuse the readers if it is not read with the help of Holy Spirit. One time he says it is forbidden and other times it says it is ok to eat meat sacrificed to idols. If we read carefully and study the matter along with Chapter 8, we understand one thing that Paul was not trying to say the do's and don’ts but he wants to bring out the principle upon which every action can be weighed. In this particular context he says that, it is lawful in front of God to have any food from the market because all the earth belongs to God and when eaten with prayer it is ok.1Cor. 10:25-26 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake;  for "THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ALL ITS FULLNESS." But this liberty is under question when we eat in front of a non-believer the food offered to idols. This will bring a wrong impression in his or her mind that idols are also gods. 1Cor. 10:29-30 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? So instead of raising up rightful question in front of his conscience in order to seek the saving truth, he or she will stick on to his or her religion thinking that it is also one of the right ways to seek god. So Paul cautions the church to take care of this matter, when we exercise our liberty. 

In general, we are called to do everything in order to glorify God. Glorifying God also includes our sincere consideration of our fellow beings out of sincere love for their souls. We have to consider our actions based on this principle. We are called as a witness to a dying world. Our actions speaks louder than our preaching. So we need to take special care how we deal with any matter in the outside world. It should be done with the intention of glorifying God before our conscience and others. We are the lighthouses that show the direction to eternal shores of safety for all those who are lost in the dark sea of sin and death. 

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Note:

Our day to day lives should exemplify who we are in Christ.

In Christ we are the earthen vessels filled with the Love of God in our hearts.

So through every action of ours let this

Divine Love flow to this dying world.