seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.
7 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. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.
The commentary makes this a little clearer.Things offered to idols: The meat offered on pagan altars was usually divided into three portions. One portion was burnt in honor of the god, one portion was given to the worshipper to take home and eat, and the third portion was given to the priest. If the priest didn’t want to eat his portion, he sold it at the temple restaurant or meat market.
The meat served and sold at the temple was generally cheaper. Then, as well as now, people loved a bargain (including Christians).
Things offered to idols: The issue raised many questions for the Corinthian Christians: Can we eat meat purchased at the temple meat market? What if we are served meat purchased at the temple meat market when we are guests in someone’s home? Can a Christian eat at the restaurant at the pagan temple?
Oh and this is pretty clear too.... from the same commentary.Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies: Both knowledge and love have an effect on our lives in that each of them make something grow. The difference between puffs up and edifies is striking; it is the difference between a bubble and a building. Some Christians grow, others just swell!
If anyone thinks that he knows anything: If we think we know it all, we really don’t know anything – he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. Yet, there is a knowledge that is important: the knowledge God has of those who love Him (if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him).
Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat: Paul makes the principle clear. Our actions can never be based only on what we know to be right for ourselves. We also need to consider what is right towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus.
Lest I make my brother stumble: At the same time, the issue is making a brother stumble – and stumble over an issue that has direct relevance to the brother in question. Paul would never allow this principle to be a way for a legalist to make demands and bind a Christian walking in liberty.
I don't know if they have them back in Maryland yet, but out here in Arizona... They have stores that sell old food. Most of it is frozen, or canned. They don't sell rotten produce, but some of the dates on the food, well it's "questionable". The prices, though, are fabulous. If you take the time to find the "sell by" date, and calculate the time you have to put in the menu, you can have a good meal at a cheap price. Gotta say, the frozen breakfast sausage is terrific and cheap! When I read the verses in today's study.... I thought of the "discount store" right away. There are real grocery stores around here where you can purchase a whole big box of food, including produce, for a base price. It's like going to the Food Bank but you "chip in". There are, generally, good foods in the box, you pick them out, but occasionally there is the dreaded rotten baking potato. There is "cheap food" available.Food is a good way to get people to listen and share ideas. Jesus used food when He fed the thousands of people. They came for the meal, but left with "the truth". The fake priests in the fake churches worshiping the fake gods could put a flyer in the box.... or a "scripture" on a bag in a noticeable place, and that little gesture could make an ignorant newbie think "oh they are religious like me.... I'll check this out".
Next thing you know.... you're in a "church" meeting in a gay bar, a block off the notorious Baltimore Block. If you're not smart enough to realize what is really going on.... you might get sucked into a bad happening. There are a lot of newbies who could not handle that "church". A lot of people might stray from the truth.... not knowing.
If Hubby brings home a dented can, and I cook it up, and we serve it to our neighbor, and our neighbor gets sick and dies.... It's on us.
If cheap meat causes a body to be in a fake "church" where our Gospel is diluted to allow the fake "priest" to change it to fit their needs.... It's on the us for telling you about the cheap meat. If we bought the meat off the back of a truck from a shady character, we might look for mold.... but buying cheap meat from a "grocery store" can bring us a little "false security". They could have carved off the mold before packaging.
Paying full price for meat won't guarantee our ticket to Heaven. The cheap meat won't lead us to Hades. It can poison us but meat is just meat. It's when the Gospel gets changed that will lead us to Hades.
It's more than "cheap meat"!
