INTRODUCTION
LESSONS FROM THE CHURCH IN CORINTH
KNOWLEDGE AND LOVE
The apostle James tells us in 3:13ff that the aim of the knowledge
that we are to gain as we become free must produce behaviour that
is pure, peaceable, and merciful.
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY
OUR RESPONSIBILITY
In closing, let's turn to 1Cor 10:31-33:
Many of us, because of the experiences that we have been through
over these past few years, may have a deep sense of freedom that
we have never had before. We feel released from some of the errors
in our thinking and from some of the idols of our past. Yet that freedom, being something quite new, can present its own new problems - challenges to practical Christianity.
Paul addresses this issue in 1Corinthians 8 when he gives
directions on the eating of food offered to idols.
The Corinthians
lived in an extremely idolatrous culture, as we do, and before
they were called they were slaves to various idols (1Jn 5:21;
Rev 18:4). Through their calling they were freed from some of
this idolatry, but new problems arose that had to be addressed.
Let's learn from the apostle's instruction.
1Cor 8:1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know
that "all of us possess knowledge."
It seems that Paul is quoting something that they had said in
relation to the topic: "They possessed knowledge." They
had come to see, to understand things that they had not understood
before, specifically about the emptiness of the idols they had
once worshipped.
We too may have come to see the emptiness of
idols that we had previously worshipped (cp. Ezk 14:2-8 which
speaks of idols of the mind).
However, we all respond differently to this knowledge. What is the
effect on us when we come to see that something to which we had once
given credence, that we had once obeyed, is empty, is useless,
even destructive?
Since we are all different and our circumstances are different,
so our responses to troublesome issues will be somewhat varied.
Some will cut their losses and quietly move on. Others may have
suffered such great loss and hardship under the idol that its
effects seem to want to linger on and on.
There are some things we all need to be aware of as we enter what
is new ground for many of us, new ground with which the Corinthians also had to come to terms.
The apostle warns us:
1 "Knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one
imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought
to know.
Knowledge can delude us into thinking that we know something when
that "knowledge" is really of little value in God's
eyes.
3 But if one loves God, one is known by him (i.e.,
one knows God on His terms).
It is the person who loves who is recognised by God as possessing
real knowledge and wisdom. The truth about God and idols should
lead to love that builds others up, not knowledge that puffs us
up with pride - an absence of loving humility - a humility that
is like Christ's: always faithful to God's will, always dependent
on His power, courageous against evil.
4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols (i.e., their
response towards the idols of their past), we know that "an
idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God
but one." 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven
or on earth - as indeed there are many "gods" and many
"lords" - 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father,
from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord,
Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we
exist.
Some of the Corinthians had come to recognise the emptiness of
the idols that they had once heeded. But not all of them:
7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being
hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an
idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
Not everyone comes to understand these things at the same time.
Some may not have worked through the issues that they needed to.
Some had consciences that were weak (as Paul says) in regard to
these idols. Consequently, some may have been led into doing
something that was still against their consciences, or others
may have been offended by what they saw.
8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do
not eat, and no better off if we do.
Feeling free to eat of the food offered to the stupid idols or
rejecting such food was not really a big issue in the scheme of
things. The food of God nourishes the one who eats, and edifies
the one who observes. The food of God strengthens the one who
eats, and inspires the one who observes the nourishment.
We should continue to recall additional issues at hand:
9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling
block to the weak.
The liberty of those who are stronger has to be used with loving
care so as not to cause those who are weak to stumble.
10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an
idol's temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is
weak, to eat food offered to idols?
The man whose conscience is weak may be tempted to do something
his conscience would not normally permit him to do or is not ready
for.
11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother
for whom Christ died.
This confidence and freedom that some of the Corinthians had in
the face of the idols of their past was doing harm to brethren
for whom Jesus Christ died.
12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience
when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
The warning is clear for us. We must be careful that our new-found
freedom (where it is in our control and knowledge) does not cause
us to behave in ways that causes others to stumble.
13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother's falling, I will
never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.
Turn to Rom 14, which also addresses similar thoughts from another
perspective.
Rom 14:1-4 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not
to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat
all things (that are defined by God's word as permissible to eat),
but he who is weak eats only vegetables (i.e., is a vegetarian).
Again we have instruction from Paul with regard to how we are
to cope when we have differing views of acceptable behaviour.
We have responsibility towards each brother (Gen 4:9; Lk 6:31).
Rom 14:3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not
him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received
him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master
he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God
is able to make him stand.
How are we going to cope as people's behaviour changes or people
with differing ideas come in among us? Do the ones who express
their freedom feel superior to those who don't experience that
same freedom or choose not to do a certain thing? Are the ones
who refrain from doing something going to be offended by and condemn
behaviour they don't understand or agree with? Can the person
who is offended identify a specific sin or is it just that they
have taken offence at what others have chosen to do (see Ps 119:165)?
Offence taken should be on the basis of Scripture.
So there is responsibility on the shoulders of each of us.
Dropping down to Rom 14:13:
Rom 14:13:Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve
this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's
way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is
nothing unclean of itself (that is not defined by God as unclean);
but to him who considers anything to be unclean (but which God
considers clean), to him it is unclean (because his weak conscience
is defiled [Rom 14:23b]).
We must all act according to our consciences - consciences that
are ever willing to be transformed to the will of God.
Rom 14:15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are
no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food (that
which nourishes you, gives you strength and vigour) the one for
whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken
of as evil.
Where we have visitors among us, will they take away a good report
or a bad report of our behaviour while they were with us?
Rom 14:17 The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking (according to
merely human nourishment), but righteousness and peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things
is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us
pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which
one may edify one another. 20 Do not destroy the
work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure (that
are defined by God as pure), but it is evil for the man who eats
with (the knowledge of) offence.
We have been given liberty. We must use that liberty with love
and consideration. But then also, if we are offended by some behaviour
then we should of course go and try to work our differences (Matt
18:15). If we don't do this then hatred may fester. Does the hidden
hatred and malice fester because there is a preference for nurturing
grudges rather than trying to make peace with a brother or neighbour?
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do
anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made
weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God.
Sometimes it may not be appropriate to express the freedom and
confidence that we have received in our spirits (1Cor 6:12; 10:23).
Because of well-understood circumstances it may need to be a personal
thing between you and God only.
Rom 14:22 Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does
not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Happy is the man who possesses this freedom of spirit, who is
confident in what he does and does it in love. But the weak who
lacks this freedom and confidence is condemned if he does that
which he is not confident is right, that is, if he violates his
conscience.
Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all
to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or
to the Greeks or to the church of God. 33 just as I also please
all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit
of many, that they may be saved.
This instruction applies to how we relate to all people. May God
be our helper in all of this!