PRAY: Thank you, Lord, for the freedom I have in Christ.
READ: 1 Corinthians 8:1–13
MEDITATE:
Knowing Jesus brings great freedom in our lives. But our freedom as Christians also has to take into account love for fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, considering how to build them up in their faith.
The Corinthians faced a situation common in the pagan Roman Empire. Meat left over from animals that had been sacrificed to false gods was available for sale. Should Christians who have renounced worshipping pagan gods eat this meat? Would they somehow be participating in the worship and rituals they had renounced?
Paul says first that idols are nothing, and food sacrificed to idols is not spiritually contaminated. However, he reminds his readers that some Christians will still associate eating this meat with worshipping a pagan god or goddess, and that consuming it with a clear conscience will be difficult or impossible. Even though Paul says that objectively there is no problem eating this meat, he tells the church members not to do anything that will hurt someone else’s faith. He says that he would be willing to forego meat entirely if it hurt another Christian’s faith (v. 13). It is a sin against your brothers to hurt their consciences and, even worse, it is a sin against Christ.
Questions and Application:
- What does this passage say?
- What does this passage mean?
- Are we using our freedom in Christ in any selfish ways? Are there any habits or behaviors that we need to change for the sake of others?
PRAY: Lord, please show me anything I’m saying or doing that is hurting a fellow Christian’s faith, and help me change my behavior so I can be an encouragement.