‭Note for 2024/04/10 - 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 KJV‬ - Liberty that becomes a stumbling block

 

‭1 Corinthians 8:1-13 KJV‬

[1] Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. [2] And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. [3] But if any man love God, the same is known of him. [4] As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. [5] For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) [6] but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. [7] Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. [8] But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. [9] But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. [10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; [11] and through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? [12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. [13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.8.1-13.KJV

Note for 2024/04/10

Is this just about meat? Is it not rather about the state of those that may benefit from the Salvation that Jesus Christ brought unto us? What do we do and say that is permissible for us, but offends others. What do we do or say, that though it be of no effect for us because of a deeper understanding, without understanding it will be done or said in another spirit if another does it?

The LORD speaks to us, He makes His requests known to us. We are moved by that which is unseen, and hard to explain by human language. We just know, because it has been revealed to us. So we know that Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD. Our faith comes as surety in us, yet is it hard to explain to others. We just know, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

This chapter is not about what we believe alone, but also, how what we believe and what is permissible to us, may be seen by another that may lead him down a dark path in a lack of understanding.

So am I aware, that by most examples I could have used here, it is best to stick to the text we received here. The Lord reveals to each of us according to His pace. Do you call a motor mechanic to bake bread for you with unwashed hands, or do you call a toddler to defuse a nuclear bomb? Wisdom is the correct application of knowledge, and He that waits on the Lord's instruction shows the greatest wisdom.

Don't you know that the Lord permits certain matters to come against us, so we may learn. It is like the lioness that teaches her cubs to hunt, in the same way as a young bird is pushed out of the nest to discover it can fly now. So the Lord reveals in the appointed time to each according to His Will.

How often do we speak on matters that are better off left alone? Things that bring harm to others, Gossip being one.

Love the Lord your God with all of your mind, heart and soul and your neighbor as yourself. Take all matters to the Lord for guidance, less someone misunderstood and live without any guidance from above.

Friends, understanding what we read is just half of the task, living according to the Word, that is a living testimony of the Word of GOD. Shall another now hold the same day holy as I do, without understanding that we should live holy lives everyday? Should the memory of the cross be celebrated once a year or in everyday we get to wake up? Is the knowledge of Salvation not most crucial in this very moment?

Shall I then ask this: why seek advice from a man, heed his instruction, when you may direct yourself to The Living GOD for guidance? Why ask of a man that may seek repayment, when you may make your needs known to GOD above, who gives freely to us in due season? So have some of us prolonged a brother's suffering, extended the learning cycle that may have been swift, if only we made our own requests to God who is over all.

There is a season for all things, have you not read that too? A time to love and a time to hate. Without the knowledge of the season you are in, how then would you apply knowledge? Do we not have access to GOD'S Throne in Christ Jesus our Lord? We are not orphans, we have a Father in GOD Almighty.

Why do we then live our lives as if we ourselves possess the knowledge, is the Same Holy Spirit not residing in all that believe? Do you open the umbrella in the house? No, you open it when it rains. This is just an example, how we may receive different instruction depending on circumstance. For though you have an umbrella, it is better not used when there is lightning coming from the heavens above. Less you be struck and left for dead.

So while we may freely eat as the food is blessed, others will consume without requesting The Lord to bless the food. So are they placed at risk having a lack of knowledge of how we eat. He that knows not it is GOD that part the waters, will drown in it. Once again, it is for a figure of speech. Consider thus your brother in all you do, pray to God for guidance in the Name of Jesus Christ.

Shalom

Verse of the Day

(YouVersion)

‭2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV‬

[3] But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/2th.3.3.KJV

Scriptures in Context

(Received by The Holy Spirit)

‭1 Samuel 21:3-6 KJV‬

[3] Now therefore what is under thine hand? give me five loaves of bread in mine hand, or what there is present. [4] And the priest answered David, and said, There is no common bread under mine hand, but there is hallowed bread; if the young men have kept themselves at least from women. [5] And David answered the priest, and said unto him, Of a truth women have been kept from us about these three days, since I came out, and the vessels of the young men are holy, and the bread is in a manner common, yea, though it were sanctified this day in the vessel. [6] So the priest gave him hallowed bread: for there was no bread there but the shewbread, that was taken from before the LORD, to put hot bread in the day when it was taken away.

https://bible.com/bible/1/1sa.21.3-6.KJV

‭Matthew 12:3-8 KJV‬

[3] But he said unto them, Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; [4] how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests? [5] Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless? [6] But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. [7] But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. [8] For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.

https://bible.com/bible/1/mat.12.3-8.KJV

‭1 Corinthians 12:12-13 KJV‬

[12] For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 

https://bible.com/bible/1/1co.12.12-13.KJV