Good Morning Friends,
“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that
we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1
Corinthians 8:1)
How do you make decisions about your actions? That
is Paul’s question in this passage. Do you make your decision solely on the
basis of what you know is your right, or do you make your decision taking by
into account how your actions will affect the people around you?
The Corinthians had the right to eat food that
had been sacrificed to idols. The idol was nothing and food sacrificed to it
was not defiled. However, not everyone understood that and some would be
offended, perhaps even caused to stumble back into idol worship if they saw a
fellow Christian eating such food.
Paul had two points:
Eating the food or not eating the food would
not affect a person’s relationship with God. They didn’t have to give up eating
the food in order to please God or grow in their faith – “But food does not
bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we
do.” (1 Corinthians 8:8)
Their actions should be governed by how they
will affect those around them -- governed by love. “Be careful, however, that
the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.” (1
Corinthians 8:9)
The specific issue is no longer one that we
face -- food sacrificed to idols is not something we deal with in our culture. But
the principle remains valid: are you so concerned about your “rights” that you
do things that hurt others?
His, by Grace, Steve
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