Please read: 1Corinthians 8
In these past few
chapters, Paul has been instructing the Corinthians regarding some major
aspects that were causing division among the believers. In today’s reading Paul addresses the question regarding eating meat that had been
sacrificed to idols.
While doing my research I learned that the meat
offered on pagan altars was usually divided into three portions. One portion
was burnt in honor of the god, one portion was given to the worshipper to take
home and eat, and the third portion was given to the priest. If the priest
didn’t want to eat his portion, he sold it at the temple restaurant or meat
market. The meat served and sold at the
temple was generally cheaper. (Enduring Word).
But before instructing them regarding this matter,
Paul focuses on what really matters: the unity and love among believers.
10 But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be
no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in
your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].
(1 Corinth. 1:10)
Just as he exhorts the Corinthians in the first chapter, he again emphasizes
in today’s scripture on the importance of love in our relationships:
“Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we
all have knowledge [concerning this]. Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously]
arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in
wisdom]. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows and understands anything [of divine
matters, without love], he has not yet known as he ought to know. 3 But
if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence, obedience and gratitude], he is
known by Him [as His very own and is greatly loved].” (8:1-3) –Emphasis mine-
Many of us have had the privilege to study our Bibles during
our Christian walk, but that does not give us the right to feel we are better
than others, which would make us fall in the trap of becoming arrogant or
legalistic… or both!!
“Knowledge
which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident, is as dangerous as
self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections
all human knowledge is worthless” (Matthew Henry)
In my first years as
a Christian I had the opportunity to take my first discipleship classes at the
home of my friend who had ministered to me. She even invited me to her church where
I made my profession of faith. Her mother would teach a small group at their
home. But as the months went by her attitude towards me changed: whenever I
made I wild guess regarding scriptures or “made a dumb” question she’d make fun
of me! I was in my early twenties and she was probably in her early thirties.
Shouldn’t she have known better? But you know what? Despite this situation my
heart was still eager to learn His Truth and to serve Him!
If we think we know it all, we really don’t know
anything! But we should acknowledge our brothers and sisters are
also loved by our Father and we should be careful not to become a: “stumbling block [that is, a temptation to sin] to the
weak [in conscience]”. (8:9). That is deliberately making them
stumble over something that has direct relevance to them. Our
actions can never be based on what we know to be right for ourselves. We also
need to consider what is right towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
At this very moment in the midst of this
pandemic, our lives have changed suddenly and
dramatically from one moment to another, and there
are so many questions, fears and anxiety within the body of Christ, regarding their
families, jobs, and even our future! There may be some believers who are taking
things with calm assurance, but there are many others who are suffering… whose
faith is wavering! This is the time to build us up and encourage each other in
His love!
“We should be very
tender of doing anything that may occasion stumbling to others, though it may
be innocent in itself. And if we must not endanger other men’s souls, how much
should we take care not to destroy our own!! (M. Henry)
Remember, what really
matters is our love towards those in God’s family and the most important knowledge
there is, is the knowledge God has of
those who love Him; and as we read in the AMP Bible:
“But if anyone loves God [with awe-filled reverence,
obedience and gratitude], he is known by Him [as His very own and is greatly
loved]” (8:3)
Isn’t this awesome? Jesus also gave us this amazing promise, something we should treasure and make sure this
is known by all both by word and deeds:
“The person who has My
commandments and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself
to him [I will make Myself real to him].” (John 14:21 AMP)
We are loved and He
will make it known to us by revealing Himself to us!! Wow, isn`t this the most
important thing for us to know NOW and to the end of times?
Blessings,
Mari
