1 CORINTHIANS 8

Heart Issues
This chapter at first glance seems pointless to us because we do not struggle with idol meat. I was challenged by this passage a long time ago to give up drinking alcohol entirely. I know that I can drink and that I would be not better or worse if I chose to abstain. I do know however that my brothers and sisters in Christ that have struggled in this area have been encouraged by it. I have to keep myself from being puffed up and filled with pride because that is what can happen easily from making a “commitment to God”. It is very easy to feel better than others because of your self-control and strong will. I also made the decision (after my junior year of high school) to wait to have my next kiss on my wedding day with my wife. Again, I was no better because of this, but it did shine as a beacon into the darkness of what Christ had done in my life. I do not condemn those that kiss or drink, but I know that God called me to those things to keep from being a stumbling block to others. I wanted to be above reproach and a respected leader to all that I would influence. Just as Paul said that he would never eat meat again if it caused his brother to stumble and fall I gave up alcohol and kissing (before marriage of course). I have struggled in life with this though as legalism can so easily creep in and cause me to be Pharisaic. I long to love as Christ, one who was perfect, yet was overcome with love in his relationships with people to dwell on His own perfection vs. their imperfection.

Notes
-Knowledge without love leads to pride and self-confidence instead of humility and God-confidence. In response to knowing that love is more important than knowledge Paul continues in answering the question.
-We know this, but not everyone knows this is Paul’s immediate response. Paul agrees that God has made all things clean and that an idol is nothing to God. What we eat does not bring us any closer to God or farther away from God.
-There is a great truth to understand in this chapter. We are free, as Christians, from the law. Why do you think we still follow the law?
-Our freedom in Christ can destroy other people’s encounters with Christ. We can wound others and be destructive to their faith and this is sin. We are to build up the body of Christ, for we would not harm our own body.