Paul was living in the midst of a very broken culture. He was surrounded by idolatry and all kinds of pagan activity. When he embraced the gospel, he realized that the idol worship had zero meaning because idols are not actually gods. Therefore, the meat used in sacrifice to the idol was "cheap steak" and he was free to eat it.
Unfortunately this "meat eating" caused others to sin and to struggle with their own choices. Paul concluded that his brother was of greater value than "cheap steak" so, he stopped eating the meat. (At least when the "weaker" brother was around.)
There are a lot of applications to this today. Showing deference to others is a quality we should all strive to have. We should never use our freedom in a way that leads others to sin.
Read in here.
Christianity is not doing what you are supposed to do. It is doing that which you do not have to do. Walking the 2nd mile, giving the coat and the shirt, giving up stuff you are free to engage. Christ gave what we didn't deserve and took on that which He did not owe. We, in Christ, are free to be slaves to Him and tender to the consciences of our neighbor because we can do what is not required of us, but in love go above and beyond that which is merely required.
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