March 23, 2019: SOAP #3397:  Joshua 15-17; 1Corinthians 8

Scripture:  1Corinthians 8:8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. 9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling-block to the weak. 10 For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who have this knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, won’t he be emboldened to eat what has been sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Observation:    Knowledge had set them free.  They knew that an idol was really nothing but a painted and decorated stick.  Knowing this, they also knew that there was no special power if the meat they were about to eat had been dedicated to that god.  But not everyone had grown in their spiritual walk to have that issue settled in their heart and mind.  Weaker/younger believers had changed their allegiance from the idol-gods to the One True God.  But some still thought the idol-god had some power.  When weaker believers saw a brother eating some meat that had been offered to an idol, they would be offended, or would think that they too could eat meat in honor of the god represented by that idol.  Maybe they thought the blessing of that idol-god would keep them from getting sick if they ate that meat.

Application:  So, what is a person to do?  Remember that the freedom door swings both ways.  We are free to eat, AND we are free not to eat!  Selfishly I may swing freedom’s door to get and/or do what I want!   Lovingly I may swing freedom’s door the other way not to offend my brother.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, if ever there was one who used His freedom to serve others at great cost to Himself, it was your Son, Jesus!  No one forced Him to take my place.  He suffered willingly.  Remind me of His sacrifice for me when I am tempted to run from the opportunity to sacrifice for someone else. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!