Welcome to the next study in this series. These passages about things offered to idols stress the fact that each of us answers to God for our own actions. Let us dig in!
1 Corinthians 8:1 Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
So, knowledge makes us prideful, but love edifies others as well as ourselves. If we love God, we are known by God.
4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
In other words, I believe an idol is only a god to the one who believes it is one. The wise, loving person has realized the truth, that there is no other God with a big ‘G’.
5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
Yes, there are many gods and lords worshiped in this world, but only one God, the Father, and one Lord Jesus Christ. Belonging to Jesus Christ, through the Holy Spirit and the word of God, we gain understanding. Then we realize that we truly live solely in and through Him.
7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
Let’s unpack this section. Not everyone has the knowledge that in God all things consist. He made us, and not we ourselves. If you do not understand this, you believe the idol has tainted the food. Having a weak conscience, which I understand as not having a good understanding of who Father God is, this person senses defilement if eating food dedicated/ consecrated to an idol.
8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.
In other words, God doesn’t care about the food we eat. As Jesus said, what goes into the body comes out. Let’s look at Matthew 15.
Matthew 15:16 So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?
18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.
This is where Jesus was chastising the Pharisees. They made sure to wash the outside of the cup and ritually wash their hands, but neglected the inside of the cup and their heart. They followed religion, counting the tithe down to the smallest mustard seed, but forgot the weightier matters like mercy and grace. This leads to the rest of 1 Corinthians chapter 8. Let’s continue and see what Paul had to say.
1 Corinthians 8:9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?
The new believers were trying to find their way in the newness of salvation in Jesus Christ. They had formerly worshipped idols made with human hands, offering meat to them and then eating it without knowledge of God. This made them weak and susceptible to error. For them, it would lead them back to idol worship, away from Christ.
11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
We wound our brethren by wounding their conscience, and thus wound Christ.
13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
Just because Christ has given you freedom does not mean your brethren have the same freedom. You may be able to play computer games, but it is not good for me because it is clear that I cannot limit my time playing. I should not insist that you stop playing because I cannot. The food issue is a hot one these days. If your friends are vegan, vegetarian, paleo, Pegan… any restrictive diet choice, it’s a mine field to eat at the same table. I come from a marriage where we eat a lot of meat since John is an avid hunter and fisherman. My daughter-in-law is vegan and so is her daughter. When we visit their home, I aim to eat what she has prepared. I may not agree with her choices, but it is not my right to force my ideas on her.
Lord, forgive me when I assert my freedoms on others. Forgive me when I attempt to restrict others with my restrictions or damage them with my freedoms. Holy Spirit, help me love those I rub elbows with. Help me give them grace and love to live as unique individuals in Christ Jesus. Amen.
John and I had a friend take this picture. It will be used for publicity for my speaking engagement on April 27th. This will be the first actual event since my book, Musings Along Life’s Journey, was published just a year ago. [the other opportunities never panned out] I am holding the original paperback published by Zoe Life Publisher. John is holding the paperback from our Amazon KDP publishing he helped me with. If you are a woman in the area, [the church is in the Henderson/Adams, NY area] you are welcome to come! A complimentary breakfast will be offered from 9-9:45 a.m. The Program begins at 10:00 a.m. with worship to begin the presentation. Here is the Save The Date card:
From the metaphors God uses to describe Himself 
Jesus came to reconcile all things the devil and evil, loveless, human hearts have destroyed. He forgave us sinners so we can forgive others. The true, sacrificial love of God in Christ Jesus covers a multitude of sins. Which brings me to a little book I just read.
When finding a new place for the Sisters of Charity to have a house, the first room she designed was the sacristy so they could have their prayer and devotion times. She hung a crucifix and under Jesus’ arm she had “I thirst!” which she saw as the humility of God displayed on the cross. Mother Teresa’s goal was to fill Jesus’ thirst by humbly bringing people to their knees and to love whomever they could love for Jesus. “We are only pencils in God’s hand.” And again, “You don’t need to come to Calcutta at all to discover Jesus in the poorest of the poor. The poor are right there where you are, very often in your own families. Look for them, find them and put your love for Jesus into a living action for them.” [page 145]
What about us? The two laws Jesus left us with: love God with all your heart soul and strength, love your neighbor as you love yourself. When you give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name, you are ministering to Him. I’m reminded of the old song: “I don’t like spiders & snakes, but that ain’t what it takes to love you!” We live in a hurting world, and we have the solution. Jesus left us with all we need to love the unlovable. Let us draw on the treasure He has put inside each of us who believe and be His hands, feet, mouth… even ‘God’s pencil’!
NOTE: I love all people because God made each one of us and loves each of us the same. Walking in love does not mean condoning sin, even my own!
This movement has hijacked God’s rainbow, the word ‘queer’, the word ‘gay’… I pity the young person who tries to read and understand some of the older classic books which use these words with different meanings! So, is truth relative according to the prevailing culture… does it change? The Bible is truth that comes from our God who does not change. Jesus is The Truth, and always will be the only way to eternal life. In an attempt to be non-discriminatory, our schools have aided and abetted the enemy’s plans to corrupt young children and prevent them from fulfilling their God-given destinies. The devil sees abortion is not killing enough infants, so these plans keep them from being conceived. It allows a same sex “married” couple to adopt a child. 
God created human beings male and female from the start. He made our bodies to create and raise children to populate the earth, giving us dominion and authority to subdue and rule over the earth He created for us. If you research the Hebrew, both male and female are Adom – man and wo-man; a man with a womb. This makes us mankind. 
Some people say the Bible doesn’t say anything about homosexuality. Must be they’re not reading the versions I have read! Let’s look at what it says. I am using the NIV. Dr. Kevin Zadai uses it frequently and lovingly calls it the ‘Nearly-Inspired Version‘. The first verse is from the part of the book of Exodus that lays down God’s Law for sexual conduct.
It would seem unloving for God to destroy people who perverted God’s sexual design [as you read in Exodus 22], but if the Israelites had obeyed God and put to death those who practice immorality, the sins would have been removed from society and not passed on to the generations. The New Testament compares sexual immorality to the worst sins and depravity that come from the human heart.
Well, I did not load Natty down with all these Scriptures, but the pertinent ones, and reminded her to speak the truth in love.
Her Mom gave me a good report: “She told the teacher, ‘I hope you don’t hate me, but I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and don’t believe in homosexuality.'” Her teacher said she doesn’t hate her. Nat’s mom told me the teacher loves Natty and she’s one of her favorite students! That is what the favor of the Lord looks like on a humble, respectful Believer who stands up for truth [in love] instead of political correctness or pat facts. If we don’t step up and walk in the Spirit’s boldness, the youngsters will put us to shame! Last Sunday a twelve-year-old girl stood up and shared a prophetic dream she had that set many people free. May we all walk in the Spirit, know and speak the truth, and keep loving God and loving others at the forefront.
![Through the Eyes of Love: Encouraging Other Through Prophetic Revelation by [Shawn Bolz, Matt Crouch]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41qJMFJyrUL.jpg)
God wants to speak to people right where they’re at. This book begins with connection with the Father. When we prophecy, it has to be out of a loving relationship. We need the true revelation of who we are as beloved children of God, then seeing others through that love, we can work from a healed relationship, knowing that acceptance comes from God and not from your gift. Then you can humbly let Him flow through you. Shawn covers marriage & family, life direction, restoration, entertainment, work, finances, government, and redemption. I think this covers all areas of life on earth that the gift of prophecy, used with love, can minister to others. I remember Pastor Penn Clark teaching our congregation how to use the gifts of the Spirit. Thirty-some-years later, the thing that has helped me most: think about what God wants to say to the person. I think sometimes I need a rock dropped on me to get things into my heart. I’ve always known the love of God is what brought Jesus to save us, the love of God sent Holy Spirit down to be our comforter, teacher, guide and friend. It has not always infiltrated my heart and soul how much I am loved by the Father and how much He loves others just as much. Shaw Bolz’s ministry has added a lot to my life, changing my outlook and thought life, which is seeping down into my heart and progressively manifest in my life. I recommend this book along with Shawn’s others, even if you don’t think you are a prophet. We are all called to prophecy, even if we don’t wear the mantle of the office of the Prophet. [Apostle Paul said he wished we all prophesied and that we should covet the gift of prophecy]
Going back to the theme song from Ice Castles, I can relate this love song to my relationship with Father God, through Christ Jesus. I was looking for love in all the wrong places after my Dad died. When I found a relationship with Jesus, I found a love that I didn’t want to let go. Through the years I’ve had a deeper revelation of Father God. I can see what’s mine now. I have seen a light that opened up another world for me. I have found the Love that will never let me go. I’m in a relationship that I could never have imagined when I first saw that movie, since I didn’t meet Jesus until five years after I saw it. I know from experience He’s with me in the eye of the storm. I know who I am, looking through the eyes of love. I am complete and I see others through His love and can call them into the completeness He has for them.
Musings along life's journey 