Tag: builds up
Love builds up!
Scripture reading for August 10th: 1st Corinthians 8, Psalm 9, Proverbs 4
1st Corinthians 8: 1-3 “Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.”
Paul, writing to Christians in a culture of idolatry, cautioned them against spiritual pride and using their freedoms and “knowledge” in a manner that might cause weaker or younger believers to stumble. “Knowledge” puffs up a person with pride. Using even right knowledge that an idol is nothing and that food does not necessarily defile you, even if offered to an idol, could cause those who still believe that is defiling to stumble and violate their conscience. The law of love says that we follow the Holy Spirit in caring for others and limiting our freedoms that all might grow closer to Jesus Christ. When we love God in this way, God takes note and upholds each loving believer.
Psalm 9:9-10 “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know Your Name put their trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”
Prayer: Father, thank You for being our stronghold in times of trouble and in this idolatrous culture. Help me daily to stay humble and avoid the trap of pride. May Your love flow in me by the Holy Spirit to love God and show love towards others seeing them built up in their faith. May we not stumble as we run the race of faith and follow Your path of wisdom and uprightness.
Proverbs 4:10-12 “Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have lead you in the paths of uprightness. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.”
Love builds up the church!
Scripture reading for July 15th: 1st Corinthians 8
Key Scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 8:9-13 “Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols. So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.”
“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1st Corinthians 8:1b) Paul taught that believers had knowledge that idols were nothing and liberty through Christ to eat what they wanted with prayer and thanksgiving. However, they must let the law of love rule their exercise of liberty. Believers do not want to cause anyone weaker in faith to stumble. If by our liberty, a weaker believer is lead into idolatry, we sin against them and Christ. We have ability and responsibility to limit our liberties because of love for our brothers!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers help other believers by living a life of love and humble service! “Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth, honor and life.” (Proverbs 22:4)