Todays reading is from 1 Corinthians 8
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 Corinthians 8:1-3 (NLT)
When I first read this chapter, I got caught up in the question of eating meat that was offered to idols. I thought, “ugh…what does this have to do with me, today, in my life???” Eating meat is not an issue that I deal with. The crazy thing is that this chapter is about LOVING GOD and LOVING PEOPLE, not about whether you eat meat or not.
The people in Corinth were caught up with rules and what they should do about eating meat that had been offered to idols. Paul reminds them that it really does not matter, because there is only One God. But, you need to always think of your brother/sister, is what you are doing affecting them in any way. Is it leading them to God or astray?
In todays culture, it is not often an issue about whether one eats meat or not. Today, we face questions and issues about whether it is ok to have a glass of wine? A beer? A tattoo? A Belly piercing? (yea, we have just had that question in our house) Is it ok to listen to explicit music? Do my kids have too much screen time? Am I too involved in social Media? Where do I stand on LBGTQ issues? We are bombarded by so many issues! Do I offer my knowledge on these issues to others and make a stand on what I think I know to be true…or do I show genuine LOVE? Paul makes it known in this 8th chapter, that we are to show others our love.
I can’t break this down any better than Francis Chan has already done. I have watched this video 3 times now and am so convicted to LOVE people more. We get so caught up in what is going on in our lives, in doing the right things, making the right decisions and hoping we look good to others, that we forget to focus on what God calls us to do…to LOVE people.
If you have time…this video will definitely impact how you face your day today and LOVE OTHERS!