October 2, 2024
1 Corinthians 8-9
Have you noticed that “a soft answer turns away anger,” proverbs 15:1? I Have. I have also been the person with the anger that has been calmed because of someone’s soft spoken words. My testimony was preserved because of someone’s wise action towards me. Over time, I too, became aware that I can turn away someone’s anger towards me with a gentle response. My knowledge did not happen overnight. How do we learn or become knowledgeable on certain things? I think that depends on the individual. Having knowledge of things gives many a confidence that may exhibit “arrogance” towards others. I have been guilty of that, too, just ask my wife and kids. Much of the knowledge given to me was not anchored in love. This is brought to our attention by Paul because of a question posed by the Corinthians. Paul affirms we all have knowledge (verse1) and we are to seek knowledge and teach knowledge (Jeremiah 22:17) but how do you apply knowledge? The Corinthians asked this indirectly by asking how they should respond to those who took offense to the eating of meat offered to idols.
God separated His people by telling them to eat certain thing and not to eat certain things, Leviticus 11. This instruction was for their separation among the nations, but it was also to instruct them of being pure and to obey by faith this command. Jesus then, fulfilling the Old Testament, declares all foods clean, Mark 7:19 because it is what comes out of the body that is impure. Peter experienced in Acts 10:13-15 a declaration to “not call food impure that God has made clean.”, and eat. In Jesus, the freedoms given to us should be restrained by the love we have for Him. Because, if we sin against our brothers, who have “little” knowledge, we are sinning against Jesus. Paul knew this firsthand. In Acts 9:5 Jesus knocks Paul to the ground as he was traveling to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Jesus said, “why do you persecute Me?” Paul had to ask who He was. Jesus replied, “I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting.” In a larger sense, whenever and however we sin against our brothers in Christ, we are sinning against God, against Jesus, against the Holy Spirit.
The Corinthians were not the only people with knowledge combined with love problems. You remember Romans 14 about the weaker brother and the more mature brother. Like a marriage, a weaker vessel to the stronger vessel. We should not consider the weaker vessel the “lesser” vessel because they aren’t. Can you imagine treating your spouse as the lesser vessel? Some do, in some religions the woman is considered the lesser vessel. The weaker vessel should be cared for, nurtured in Christ that their growth will be sufficient in Christ. You, as the stronger vessel, will also grow. Your compassion for those who continue to be burdened by worldly things, continue to be burdened by lack of knowledge of Jesus, will grow in your walk with Christ, humbly by the Lord, Micah 6:8.
You will not stay the same. Paul illustrates in chapter 9 his credentials and the responsibilities he has to the church and the church has to him. Paul has been upholding his part and even called himself an apostle to the Corinthian people, verse 2. The Corinthians from what I read, did not support him financially. However, Paul did not hold his authority over them to gain financially but did hold it over them to guide them morally and to instruct them in their culture change, from worldly idol worshipping to trusting by faith in One God, One Savior, One spiritual relationship in Jesus, the Christ, our Savior.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, Forgive us our sins. Please keep us learning Your ways for our lives that we may instruct a weaker believer. Help us to consider us as a weaker believer in comparison to the vast knowledge and illustrations You give us in your Word and in our experiences. In our learning Lord, help us to learn. In our witness, help us to exhibit in love. In our teaching, help us to instruct with love. You have taught us with love by Your patience. You have witnessed Your love for us on the cross. May we desire this love You possess more and more daily.
Amen
-David MrRoz
