Thursday, August 13

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 2015

Nehemiah 5:14–7:60

1 Corinthians 8:1–13

Psalm 33:1–11

Proverbs 21:8–10

 

 

“Now about food sacrificed to idols:  We know that we all possess knowledge.  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.  The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:1–3)

 

“Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak….  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.” (1 Corinthians 8:9,12–13)

 

 

In this chapter, Paul responds to the Corinthians’ questions about consuming meat sacrificed to idols.  While the Corinthian Christians had not joined in the temple worship services where the meat had been sacrificed, they legitimately wondered how they should react to this meat, which they found available at the local markets.  In other words, were they free to partake of this meat?

 

Paul urges the Corinthian believers to consider the impact of their actions on the other brothers and sisters among them.  He urges them not to “exercise” their “freedom” in a manner that would become “a stumbling block to the weak.”  By “weak,” Paul does not refer to physically weak, but rather he urges believers to consider our actions sensitively in light of others’ consciences.

 

Perhaps some of the Corinthian believers had recently turned away from the idol worship involved with this meat.  By seeing or even hearing about another Christ-followers’ indulging in this meat, it might drag the former idol-worshipper back into second thoughts or even expose him or her to recriminations about his past spiritual practices.  In any event, loving these folks involved a thoughtful consideration of their life experiences so that they might be “built up” into fullness in Christ.  To eat this meat would mean selfishly forgetting and diminishing the concerns of one’s brothers and sisters.

 

Paul summarizes a godly approach to Christians’ treading in “controversial practices” in Romans 14:19–21:  “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.  Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.  It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”  He emphasizes that concern for the Kingdom should come before “eating and drinking” so that the whole Body might experience “peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

 

Today, we may not face this specific challenge, but we must be careful to live in order not to cause others to stumble.  We should allow our living and conversation to be edifying and encouraging for those around us – and especially among our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

Paul expands on our attitudes towards interacting with others and our communication with them in Ephesians 4:29–32:  “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

 

 

Lord God, give us wisdom as we approach “controversial” topics or practices.  Give us a full picture of Your love for us and others so that we may prioritize harmony, peace, and joy above our own egos or comfort.  Help us to discern between helpful and unhelpful practices, and allow our conversations to be gracious and wholesome.  Strengthen us through the power of Your Holy Spirit so that we may be encouraging and loving to our brothers and sisters in Christ and winsome to those who are seeking You.  In Jesus’s Name, amen.

 

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