1 Corinthians 8:1-13
Sacrificing food to idols was quite common a long time ago. Although we
may see some cultures still practice food sacrifices, it is not really a
concern for Christians these days.
God has created all things, and they are all under the sovereignty of
God. However, we can use these things in a wicked way. In fact, it is easy for
us to corrupt the good purposes that God had intended for all his creation. In the
same way, there are Christian song writers who started off as secular musicians
but later created music to worship God. The style of music was never immoral,
but how that music was used made in sinful. Rich people can use money in a righteous
way or a depraved way. It does not make money evil. What is evil is hoarding
money through avarice, spending money on vices, using money for bribes and squandering
money on debauchery. God gives us resources to live and to help others, and we
can glorify God by using our resources in the manner that they were intended
for.
Idols are objects used in a way that takes away glory from God. The
objects are not evil in themselves but are used in way that takes away God’s
glory. People put their trust in idols and fall into fearing the idols or
worshipping them. Food offered to idols later to be sold to the markets put
some Christians at unease whereas other Christians knew that these idols had no
power. This knowledge concerning the false and inept idols and our freedom to
eat all foods created problems.
Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess
knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.
1 Corinthians 8:1 ESV
But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a
stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating
in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to
eat food offered to idols? 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.
1 Corinthians 8:9-13 ESV
We have freedom to eat whatever food we want, but we must be aware of
others and their struggles with faith. We should practice our freedom to win
others to Christ and not be an obstacle for others as they strive to know
Christ more.
We can anything but sin, however, what good is that if we are not winning others over to Christ. We need love to use our abilities to be able to think of and to care for others. Without love, our knowledge will puff us up. Without love we become arrogant. Knowledge without love will never work. This knowledge is also our abilities.
Educators are not just those professionals working in schools. We all
teach others in different capacities and at various times. Without love, both our
formal and informal lessons may result in preventing students from knowing Christ.
We need to be intentional with our love, so that we will not fall into
arrogance.
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