1Corinthians 8

March 18, 2022

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 yours 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.

We are always under surveillance. Not by the government or by the police, but by everyone we come into contact with every day. If you wear a cross, you are proclaiming to the world that you’re a Christian; a follower of Jesus. People have a preconceived notion that we are all ‘goody-two-shoes’ so when we step out of their concept and do or say something decidedly not Christian and most definitely not what Jesus would say or do, we have shocked them, surprised them, made them reconsider who this Jesus is.

If we talk the talk, we’d better be walking the walk. If you get into the express lane at the grocery story and the person in front of you has more than the stated limit allowed, let it go … do not get into an exchange about them holding up the line or not being to read – or count. Accept it graciously and just simply wait your turn. If you’ve got a bumper sticker of a fish on your car and give someone the one-finger-salute, you have just caused someone to wonder what the big deal is about being a Christian if they behave like everyone else.

We always want people to consider Jesus – Who He is, what that means, how to find out more. We never want to be the reason they get calloused and wrong ideas about Him. We may be the only Christian they’ve met – do we want to represent Jesus or the worldly ways?

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