Tag: idols are nothing
Love builds up!
Scripture reading for September 5th: 2nd Chronicles 29-31, 1st Corinthians 8
1st Corinthians 8: 1-6 “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. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but One.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth–as indeed there are many “gods” and many ‘lords’--yet for us there is one God, the Father, from Whom are all things and for Whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through Whom are all things and through Whom we exist.”
The culture that the Corinthians lived in and came out of to come to Christ was filled with idolatry and places to worship those “gods” and “lords” in gluttonous feasts as well as sexual acts. Paul warned the believers about their need to show love and not just boast about this knowledge that the idols were nothing and their freedom to eat the food sacrificed to them. Love looks out for those whose consciences are still weak and being developed to help them know truth. We restrain our freedoms based on our knowledge in order to help our weaker brothers and sisters until they can grow stronger. Love always builds up.
1st Corinthians 8:11-13 “And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.”
Prayer: Lord, in this idolatrous culture, help me to be mindful of how I can show love to those new in the faith who are still not fully trained in righteousness and knowing You and Your ways. Thank You that You are the One God and the Living God Who created the universe and Who gives us life. Forgive me when I let pride in my knowledge of Your Word and You cause me to act improperly towards other believers.
2nd Chronicles 30:17-20 “For there were men in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves. Therefore the Levites had to slaughter the Passover lamb for everyone who was not clean, to consecrate it to the Lord. For a majority of the people, many of them from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than prescribed. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, “May the Good Lord pardon everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord, the God of his fathers, even though not according to the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness.” And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.”
Seeking the good of others!
Scripture reading for August 16th: 1st Corinthians 10:15-11:2
The issue of eating meat sacrificed to idols was very controversial in the church at Corinth. There were many idol temples and people who were in the church had come from backgrounds where they participated in the worship of these idols and the demons behind them. Some were very sensitive in their consciences because of what God had delivered them from. They believed that they were participating in the worship of demons if they ate the meat. Others had learned through study of God’s word that these idols were really nothing at all and that the sacrifice did not mean anything. As believers, they were free to eat the meat and simply give thanks to God for providing it.
This conflict was causing division and some in the church to stumble. Paul wrote clearly to help them with this problem as he had done to the Romans. (Romans 13-14) Paul warned everyone to flee from idolatry. God is jealous and wants all our worship! (1st Corinthians 10:14, 22) When we partake of holy communion, we partake of the ‘cup of thanksgiving’ and participate in the blood of Jesus Christ. When we eat the bread we partake of the body of Christ. As believers, we become one with Christ and with all true believers through the sacrifice of Christ given for us. (1st Corinthians 10:15-17)
“”Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.” (1st Corinthians 10:23-24) When we are part of the body of Christ, we must be mindful of those who may be sensitive in this area of eating meat sacrificed to idols. We may have liberty to eat, but it may be harmful to our brothers and sisters who came out of this kind of idolatry. We should limit our liberty to help them grow in faith.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God–even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example as I follow Christ.” (1st Corinthians 10:31-11:1) Winning people to Jesus Christ for God’s glory is our single focus!