SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When you hurt your friend, you hurt Christ. A free meal here and there isn’t worth it at the cost of even one of these “weak ones.” [1 Corinthians 8:12, The Message] In this discussion about whether it is OK to eat meat that has been sacrificed to idols (would it be OK to eat meat that was dedicated to Satan?), Paul shifts the focus from technical to compassionate grounds. Its not about whether we are technically right or wrong, but whether we are acting out of faith and love. Paul stresses that when we do things that mislead others – even if they are technically OK – we are hurting them and Jesus as well.
Jesus sternly warns against misleading others by our actions: And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck [Mark 9:42]. Here we see how serious God’s concern for people is. Isn’t it obvious, every person is a child of God by virtue of their creation, though they have rejected that status. God loves His wayward children, He longs for them to be restored. He hates it when they suffer, and He is very angry when His other children are the cause of that suffering.
As Jesus-followers, our top priority, aside from honouring God above-all, is to love and serve and bless His other children. He is not concerned about technical religious piety – He wants us to love Him and to love people – with our whole being. The Pharisees excelled in technical religious piety, but missed the boat completely as far as God’s will was concerned. They followed the letter, not the spirit of the law.
Idols are nothing, yet they are demonic deceptions. As Jesus-followers, we know better. We know that God is God, that Jesus is Lord, and that Satan is defeated. We are free to eat anything and everything that God has created for us. But not if it causes others to stumble. It may be acceptable, but if its not beneficial for others, don’t do it. Alcohol may be permissible, but when sitting with a recovering alcoholic, best settle for a non-alcoholic drink. A drink isn’t worth it at the cost of a struggling brother or sister.
Are there other examples of permissible things we should avoid, for the sake of others?
PRAYER:
Lord, open my eyes to the specific attitudes or actions that are problematic for those who struggle with faith or life around me.