Sunday, my class talked about situational ethics.  We all use situational ethics in our everyday lives, but the topic has gotten a bad rap for Christians.

I used an example: During this time when we are stuck in our homes, communion has been a problem.  My class decided for the seven of us to do the Lord's supper together since we weren't going to church at the time due to the pandemic. (Some churches think we should only do that with the entire church.)

One of the women baked the unleavened bread, one brought grape juice, (Baptists don't do wine for communion) and we read the scriptures saying, "This is my body....this is my blood..."   No problem.

But if Ken's father (my Baptist preacher when I was young) had been there, I would have abstained.  Why?  Because he believed strongly in "Closed Communion."  That subject isn't even discussed any more in our churches.  It is the idea that only those members of that particular church are able to partake communion together.  I just wouldn't offend someone's "rules" belief unless it was on the subject of Christ and what he did for us.  

So we are studying 1 Corinthians 10:27-33.  The Jews thought it was a sin to eat meat sacrificed to idols.  Paul said, "Whatever is set before you, eat, asking no questions...but if someone tells you this was sacrificed to idols, don't..." In other words, don't ask.  "Don't give offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God. (Christians)."

Paul said that when he was in the company of Jews, he tried to act like a Jew.  When with Gentiles, or Christians he tried not to offend their customs.  In other words: use situational ethics rather than offend a person if you can--without compromising the truth, and your Christian witness or Christian behavior.