1 Corinthians 8:4-7
I think it's safe to say that we all know how to ride a bicycle. Most people were taught at a young age with a parent or sibling to lovingly show us. Thinking back on your experience of learning to ride a bike, how well would it have gone if someone never took the time to show you, let alone explain it? How often do we as believers do this very same thing in our walk with Jesus and how we live out our testimony? We may have the head knowledge, but we lack the love part. Paul talks about this in 1 Corinthians 8:7 when he tells us:
“But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.”
We must understand that Paul is writing to the church about food sacrifice. Those who love God know that there is no other God than Yahweh! One of the best things I have been taught in recent years is that everyone has a backstory, everyone has a reason behind why they do something a certain way, and how they think about certain topics. At the end of the day many of us forget about the other person’s story. All too often we expect others to JUST GET IT! Rather, we should slow down and share the love of Christ with them, helping them understand biblical concepts. Even today some people are still tied to old behaviors or thought processes. Although we are called to call each other out, we must do it in love. Think back on your bicycle experience, let us help our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to grow as we share knowledge in love. Let us not fall into the trap of arrogance like Paul says in verse 1:b
“We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”
So, I ask you this question: How can we balance standing for what is true while being gentle and caring towards others? Well, it starts with leading with love and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us.
“But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled.”
We must understand that Paul is writing to the church about food sacrifice. Those who love God know that there is no other God than Yahweh! One of the best things I have been taught in recent years is that everyone has a backstory, everyone has a reason behind why they do something a certain way, and how they think about certain topics. At the end of the day many of us forget about the other person’s story. All too often we expect others to JUST GET IT! Rather, we should slow down and share the love of Christ with them, helping them understand biblical concepts. Even today some people are still tied to old behaviors or thought processes. Although we are called to call each other out, we must do it in love. Think back on your bicycle experience, let us help our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to grow as we share knowledge in love. Let us not fall into the trap of arrogance like Paul says in verse 1:b
“We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up.”
So, I ask you this question: How can we balance standing for what is true while being gentle and caring towards others? Well, it starts with leading with love and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us.
Posted in Devotional