Day 1,043: 1 Corinthians 8- Love Builds Up

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 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. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Meditation
Love looks to lift others up, not push them down by prioritizing our personal preference. Love builds up, seeking to bless others over and against burdening them. Love lives life for the gain of others, giving ourselves away, because this is how Jesus Christ has loved us.
 
Christians have always had difficulty loving one another. The sixth issue (of ten) Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians is not unique to Corinth. We have meditated on Paul’s addressing of loving weaker Christians in Romans 14 and his direction for gospel humility in Church family life together (Philippians 2). Love must build up Christ’s body.
 
There is more at stake than enjoying one’s rights. Love is more important than personal preference. Knowledge of rights in Christ and the theological ability to win an argument is important, but not as important as loving God’s family.
 
The Corinthian’s debated about eating food offered to idols. While Christians did not always have the right to eat temple meat, it was OK if it was not a part of a pagan religious ritual. Those who did not believe this are called “weak” in conscience because they are unknowledgeable in their theology. But if eating meat when you are right theologically makes a fellow Christian stumble, you should lay down your right and walk in love by abstaining from eating meat.
 
Jesus, who perfectly loves,  laid down His rights to lift us up, Jesus was killed so believers can live. Our response should be to lay down our rights so love can build up God’s family.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you in today’s reading about love building up by laying down our rights for the conscience of others?
 
-How do you prioritize keeping your rights rather than loving others to build them up?
 
-Jesus laid down His life  to build you up in grace. How does this reality move you to want to walk in love as He has loved us, giving Himself for us?
 
Key Verse
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.