Some people say, quite rightly, that idols have no actual
existence, that there’s nothing to them, that there is no God other than our
one God, that no matter how many of these so-called gods are named and
worshiped they still don’t add up to anything but a tall story. They say—again,
quite rightly—that there is only one God the Father, that everything comes from
him, and that he wants us to live for him. Also, they say that there is only
one Master—Jesus the Messiah—and that everything is for his sake, including us.
Yes. It’s true.
In strict logic, then, nothing happened to the meat when
it was offered up to an idol. It’s just like any other meat. I know that, and
you know that. But knowing isn’t everything. If it becomes everything, some
people end up as know-it-alls who treat others as know-nothings. Real knowledge
isn’t that insensitive.
We
need to be sensitive to the fact that we’re not all at the same level of
understanding in this. Some of you have spent your entire lives eating “idol
meat,” and are sure that there’s something bad in the meat that then becomes
something bad inside of you. An imagination and conscience shaped under those
conditions isn’t going to change overnight.
But fortunately God doesn’t grade us on our diet. We’re
neither commended when we clean our plate nor reprimanded when we just can’t
stomach it. But God does care
when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer
still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track.
For
instance, say you flaunt your freedom by going to a banquet thrown in honor of
idols, where the main course is meat sacrificed to idols. Isn’t there great
danger if someone still struggling over this issue, someone who looks up to you
as knowledgeable and mature, sees you go into that banquet? The danger is that
he will become terribly confused—maybe even to the point of getting mixed up
himself in what his conscience tells him is wrong.
Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn’t you at
least be willing to give up going to dinner for him—because, as you say, it
doesn’t really make any difference? But it does make a difference if you hurt your friend terribly, risking
his eternal ruin! When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here
and there isn’t worth it at the cost of even one of these “weak ones.” So,
never go to these idol-tainted meals if there’s any chance it will trip up one
of your brothers or sisters.- The Message –* * * * * * * * * * * *
Many years ago I worked with a subordinate who abused our petty cash. I had given him access and told him to use it when emergencies came up. How would I have known a six-pack of beer was an emergency? One of the things we discover, as opportunities and freedoms increase, is how trustworthy we actually are.
If we have no opportunity to sin we cannot take credit for not sinning…
John 8:36 says “if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”. While this is wholly true it does not give license to be sloppy with our attitudes and actions. In the Corinthian church people were wondering about eating meat offered to idols. Paul makes this point: If there are NO OTHER GODS than our God, nothing happens to the meat when it is offered. Therefore, it is safe to eat.
But…we need to be sensitive to the fact that we’re not all at the same level of understanding in this… God does care when you use your freedom carelessly in a way that leads a fellow believer still vulnerable to those old associations to be thrown off track… Christ gave up his life for that person. Wouldn’t you at least be willing to give up going to dinner for him? I notice Paul doesn’t add the caveat “unless he’s a moron”.
I know we “CAN” do a lot of things. I just wonder if we “HAVE TO”.
Live boldly out there today…
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