Please read 1 Corinthians 7 and 8.
Meditate on 1 Corinthians 8:9.
But take care that this liberty of yours
does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.
Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth to address
problems in the church and to answer questions and concerns the Corinthians
had. In chapters one through six, Paul
dealt with problems. Beginning in
chapter seven, he answered their concerns.
“Now concerning the things about which you wrote… (1 Corinthians 7:1)” They
were concerned about relationships so Paul wrote about being single, married,
and divorced in 1 Corinthians 7.
In chapter 8, Paul answered a question concerning things
sacrificed to idols by saying, “knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.” It seems like an odd answer, but not if you
keep it in the context of relationships.
Paul wanted the Christians in Corinth to take the things they were
learning about God and following Christ and apply them with love to the people
around them. He exhorted them not to be
arrogant about what they learned but to apply that knowledge in love to their
relationships. For example, the
believers were taught that in Christ they had freedom to eat anything. However, with that freedom comes the
responsibility not to cause someone else to stumble in their walk with Christ
or in their opportunity to know Christ as Savior. If eating a steak that has been sacrificed to
an idol, even though an idol is nothing, hurts another’s spiritual growth, then
don’t eat the steak. Be motivated by
love for others rather than the pride of knowing you have the freedom in Christ
to do certain things.
Pray 1 Corinthians 8:1 and 9 over yourself and those for
whom you are standing guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).
“Lord, help us not to
become arrogant in our knowledge.
In love, help us
edify others.
May we take care that
this liberty of ours
does not somehow
become a stumbling block to the weak.
For the sake of Your
Name, Jesus~”
No comments:
Post a Comment