However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 1 Corinthians 8:7 – Paul is working though the list of questions the Corinthian church gave him, and now it’s all about food offered to idols. In their day it was common practice for the pagan worshipers to offer meat to the temple for an offering to idols, and part of that meat could be sold in the temple market. The question, was is it okay for a believer in Christ to buy that meat and eat it. The answer, yes, for there is no other god than the Lord, so such food wasn’t given to anything…but… While the truth is that believers were/are free in Christ to eat such food, not everyone in the church had that knowledge about idols. So when a believer in Christ expressed such freedoms and ate such food offered to idols, possibly a less mature Christian who still thought idols were real may see them and be tempted to do something they believe is wrong. Or after seeing such a thing they may seek division with the other believer who expressed their freedom in Christ. Paul then is telling believers to be aware that not everyone has the same knowledge of what we are free in Christ to do. If we then flippantly use such freedoms, careless of how it may impact younger believers or those who aren’t yet following Jesus, then we are in sin. Our freedoms aren’t to be used to damage another person, our freedoms are to be used to follow Jesus and help others do the same. Let us then be knowledgeable on what truly we are allowed and free do to in Christ, but be fully aware not every believer around you understands such things as clearly. As Paul closed out this chapter, if using my freedoms in such things would cause my brother to stumble, I won’t ever do such a thing. Care more about you brothers walk than your freedoms. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3115
Question To Ponder: What is something you’re free in Christ to do that not every believer agrees is allowed?
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