A Life Worthy

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all, and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live  (1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

Now Paul gets to the question broached in verse 1. 

Can a Christian eat food that has been sacrificed to idols?

If you’re just joining us and don’t understand what Paul is talking about, I invite you to hop back to Monday’s post and get up to speed.

You good?

Good

Paul responds to the question by pointing out that all the idols–and all that they represent–are nothing but empty symbols of things that are dwarfed by the One True God. That is not to say that these “so-called gods” aren’t potentially dangerous. Whether it was an emperor claiming to be deity, evil spirits, or just the desire to make a buck off of man-made religion, these idols could bring harm to the man who chose them over God.

But to the believer who truly belongs to the Lord God Almighty, they are fluff and dust.

Beloved, you probably don’t have pagan statues in your home to which you offer sacrifice.

But

You probably have idols.

I don’t say that because I think you’re a pagan. I say that because most of us have things that take our eyes off of God. Whether it’s money or power or fame or prestige or self-reliance or family or job, it takes your eyes off of Jesus–and that makes it an idol.

Paul reminds us that none of those things stands up–even for a moment–against Him. 

Something to chew on as you move through your week.

Happy Wednesday, Beloved

Aaaaand we’re back to 1 Corinthians. We rejoin the Apostle Paul in Chapter 8.

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all possess knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1).

Those of you who were with me when we left 1 Corinthians may remember that Paul was addressing questions that had been posed by folks in the Church. 

Of course you remember–you’re brilliant.

Well, here comes a question about food. Is it OK for a Christian to eat food that has been used as part of a pagan sacrifice? It’s a reasonable question–pagans held sacrifices like the Jews did, and they often had leftover meat. This meat might find its way to a market, or folks might throw a party to use it up.  A Christian might buy this meat, or find himself invited to one of these feasts by pagan friends. Did eating the food equate to participating in paganosity? Was it a bad witness? Would God view it as sin?

Before Paul addresses the question–which he will– he deals with the way the question was asked. It looks to me that whoever wrote this question to Paul figured they already knew the answer. They were looking for validation from Paul so they could give a big “See I told you so” to their brothers and sisters.

I may be wrong here, but that’s the way I read it.

Paul responds with a reminder that love is more powerful than mere knowledge. Love has the power to build a person up, strengthening them and helping them to stand strong in Christ.

Knowledge alone inflates one’s ego like a balloon–with predictable results.

So what’s it going to be today, Beloved? Empty knowledge, or the fullness of love?

Choose wisely

Happy Monday, Beloved