The 12 year old in
my household thinks he knows so much about life. His ‘instructions’ can be humorous and yes,
his certainty about things about which he is seriously misinformed can be
irritating. Sometimes I unconsciously adopt a patronizing tone when attempting
to correct some latest bit of 12 year old ‘wisdom.’ In response Ed will say, “You think you everything,
don’t you?” I hope I don’t give that
impression!
The Scripture teaches
us that a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous, if it leads us to think we know more than we really we understand.
The people in the church in Corinth were fighting over eating meat purchased
from idol temples, portions left over from sacrifices blessed in the name of
false gods. Many refused to go near meat from idol sacrifice. Others were certain that it was perfectly
acceptable to eat such meat since the idols were nothing to them. “Let’s look
at this honestly,” they said, “these idols are nothing more than the products
of man’s imaginations. Let’s eat the meat!”
Rationally, they were right, but that was not the heart of the issue, as
we see in Paul’s instruction to them. "Now let’s talk about food that has been
sacrificed to idols. You think that everyone should agree with your perfect
knowledge. While knowledge may make us feel important, it is love that really
builds up 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 God knows and cares
for." (1 Corinthians 8:1-3, NLT)
You can be so
right, you’re wrong!
The ex-idol
worshippers in the Corinthian church were not just seeing a meal when their brothers
ate idol temple meat. They were seeing an old way of life from which they
needed to completely separate. There were emotions in play, inner conflicts yet
to be resolved. Paul appeals to a higher
standard: “Love really builds up the
church,” he said. John reminds us of
the same principle. "Anyone who
loves other Christians is living in the light and does not cause anyone to
stumble." (1 John 2:10, NLT) I
am responsible, not just for myself, but for all those who interact with me. If
my ‘knowledge’ becomes something that blocks their light and makes them trip up
in their Christian walk, I sin against them and my Lord.
God’s grace provides
those who live in it great freedom. They are free to live without a lot of
religious rules governing every move they make.
Accepting His great grace secures Christians in His love and allows them
to be guided by the Holy Spirit. What a joyful way to live. However, it
possible to abuse that freedom. In the context of the ‘idol meat’ dispute, the
Word points out the principle this way: "But
you must be careful with this freedom of yours. Do not cause a brother with a
weaker conscience to stumble. You see, this is what can happen: Weak Christians
who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an
idol. You know there’s nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to
violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol. So
because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died,
will be destroyed. And you are sinning against Christ when you sin against
other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If
what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again
as long as I live—for I don’t want to make another Christian stumble." (1
Corinthians 8:9-13, NLT)
Let’s take care
not to be like a 12 year old, having a little knowledge, but lacking real
understanding! There are facts and there
is truth. Let’s search the Scripture,
listen to the Spirit, and let love govern our every choice. This will build a strong church.
"Fools think they need no advice, but the
wise listen to others." (Proverbs 12:15, NLT)
"Wise people don’t make a show of their
knowledge, but fools broadcast their folly." (Proverbs 12:23, NLT)
____________
Mystery
Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity.
Sweet Jesus Christ, my clarity.
Bread of heaven, broken for me,
Cup of Salvation held out to drink.
Jesus, mystery!
Christ has died, and
Christ is risen,
Christ will come again.
Celebrate His death and rising.
Lift your eyes proclaim His coming.
Celebrate His death and rising.
Lift your eyes, lift your eyes.
Sweet Jesus Christ, my sanity.
Charlie Hall
© 2008
worshiptogether.com songs (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
sixsteps Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License #
810055
No comments:
Post a Comment