RESPECT FOR ANOTHER BELIEVER'S CONSCIENCE
I Corinthians 8:7-9
"However, there is not in everyone that knowledge [that idols are nothing]; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."
Even though food offered to idols is not an issue in our culture, the principle Paul expounds is valid in all cultures. There are some Christians who, as a part of their religious practice, abstain from eating certain foods because they feel it is wrong (as, for example, Adventists). I know that food is neither moral nor immoral – it just goes into the body and comes out (as Jesus said in Matthew 15:17). So here is the issue: I need to respect other believers' consciences. If I intentionally flaunt my freedom and thereby violate their beliefs, I have sinned against Christ by dishonoring the body of Christ (vs. 12). My parents did not exchange wedding rings because people in the church they attended thought jewelry was evil. But when they began attending another church that did not have that restriction, they were free to wear rings. The principle is this: Even though I have freedom to do a certain thing that does not violate God's word, I still need to be aware and take care not to offend other members of the Body of Christ who may not have that freedom, and by my freedom cause them to stumble in their faith.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Respect for the conscience of another believer honors Christ and His Body.
Have an honoring day. Love you.
I Corinthians 8:7-9
"However, there is not in everyone that knowledge [that idols are nothing]; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak."
Even though food offered to idols is not an issue in our culture, the principle Paul expounds is valid in all cultures. There are some Christians who, as a part of their religious practice, abstain from eating certain foods because they feel it is wrong (as, for example, Adventists). I know that food is neither moral nor immoral – it just goes into the body and comes out (as Jesus said in Matthew 15:17). So here is the issue: I need to respect other believers' consciences. If I intentionally flaunt my freedom and thereby violate their beliefs, I have sinned against Christ by dishonoring the body of Christ (vs. 12). My parents did not exchange wedding rings because people in the church they attended thought jewelry was evil. But when they began attending another church that did not have that restriction, they were free to wear rings. The principle is this: Even though I have freedom to do a certain thing that does not violate God's word, I still need to be aware and take care not to offend other members of the Body of Christ who may not have that freedom, and by my freedom cause them to stumble in their faith.
TODAY'S THOUGHT: Respect for the conscience of another believer honors Christ and His Body.
Have an honoring day. Love you.
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