| | | | Love Strengthens the Church - 1 Cor 8:1-3 In 1 Corinthians chapter 8, the Apostle Paul answers a question that had been posed to him, presumably asking if it was a sin to eat meat that had been sacrificed to idols. See in that day, and animal might be sacrificed to a pagan idol, then the meat would later be sold in the market. Paul answers the question a little later in the chapter, but in his opening remarks he makes a powerful point:
Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that "we all have knowledge" about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes. 1 Cor 8:1-3 (NLT)
In any organization there will be little issues that people have differing opinions on, and this is especially true in the church. Certainly there are things we all agree on (murder is wrong), but then those pesky grey area's come into play, and something that one person may feel is wrong, another person will see as as being fine. And, being human beings, our quickest judgment tends to fall on "the other guy." It's easy to look at someone else's life and think, "they shouldn't be doing that!"
In response to this dispute as to whether or not its OK to eat meat that had been sacrificed to an idol, Paul tells the church "guys, don't be so quick to think you have all the answers! Matter of fact, your assumption that you have the answer is actually making you arrogant. Look at the bigger picture, if you'll simply love one another, and love God, you'll do the right thing, and these little grey area's won't divide you."
One of the church fathers is quoted as thus:
"In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity." ― Augustine of Hippo
"Lord, help me to love my brothers and sisters in Christ, and not let little grey areas divide us from one another."
Pastor Clay | | | | | | | |
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