Love others more than doing our own thing. 1 Cor 8
Be careful and thoughtful not to do something that might damage those still growing in their faith.
Paul begins chapter 8 by making an incisive comment about the difference between knowledge and love;
Knowledge puffs up, but LOVE BUILDS UP. 1 Cor 8:1
God sometimes says a lot in a very short sentence! Knowledge is something we accumulate/grow in ourselves. Love is given to others, not for self, not self-centred.
Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God. 1 Cor 8:2,3
There is a big difference between head knowledge and heart love. Just because we know something doesn’t mean we’re doing it in our lives, whereas love often demands commitment and often sacrifice. ‘God knows those who love Him’, as opposed to those who are casually interested. How much do we really love God? The Laodicean Church, the last Church in Rev 3 was judged for being lukewarm, it may represent the last church of this age.
Paul’s instruction to the Church is to be careful what they do in front of weaker believers, eating meat sacrificed to idols. Don’t be ‘puffed up because we know something’ won’t harm us, it may damage another who doesn’t have our understanding.
Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. … so this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Paul is calling for the church not to recklessly exercise their rights and hurt or destroy their brothers and sisters’ faith. We need to love those growing in their faith and not do anything to hurt them(their conscience). Christ died for them and loves them as His children.
Remember, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. It’s our privilege to help build up others in Christ’ body.
God bless and keep you today.