SCRIPTURAL MEDITATION: MATTERS OF IDOLS!
IDOLS are ANYTHING but NOTHING – For in Christ Jesus WE ARE JUSTIFIED and WE HAVE ACCESS by FAITH with God. Amen.
SCRIPTURAL THOUGHTS WORTH PONDERING IN CONTEXT:
“Therefore being JUSTIFIED BY FAITH, WE HAVE PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 by whom also WE HAVE ACCESS BY FAITH into THIS GRACE wherein WE STAND, and REJOICE in hope of THE GLORY of God” Romans 5:1-2.
“All these things happened to them as examples—as object lessons to us—to warn us against doing the same things; they were written down so that we could read about them and learn from them in these LAST DAYS as the world nears its end . . .19 What am I trying to say? Am I saying that the IDOLS to whom the HEATHEN bring sacrifices are really alive and are real gods, and that these sacrifices are of some value? NO, NOT AT ALL. 20 What I am saying is that those who offer food to these idols are united together in sacrificing to DEMONS, certainly not to God. And I don’t want any of you to be PARTNERS with DEMONS when you eat the same food, along with the heathen, that has been offered to these IDOLS. 21 You cannot drink from the cup at the Lord’s Table and at Satan’s table, too. You CANNOT eat bread both at the LORD’S TABLE and at SATAN’S TABLE” 1 Corinthians 10:11, 19-21 (Living Bible).
“Next is your question about EATING FOOD that has been SACRIFICED TO IDOLS. On this question everyone feels that only his answer is the right one! But although being a “KNOW-IT-ALL” makes us feel important, WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED TO BUILD THE CHURCH IS LOVE. 2 If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just SHOWING his ignorance. 3 But the person who truly loves God is the one who is OPEN TO GOD’S KNOWLEDGE. 4 So now, what about it? Should we EAT meat that has been SACRIFICED TO IDOLS? Well, we all know that AN IDOL IS NOT REALLY A GOD, and that there is ONLY ONE GOD, AND NO OTHER. 5 According to some people, there are a great many gods, both in heaven and on earth. 6 But we know that there is only one God, the Father, who created all things and made us to be his own; and one Lord Jesus Christ, who made everything and gives us life. 7 However, some Christians don’t realize this. All their lives they have been used to thinking of IDOLS as alive, and have believed that FOOD OFFERED TO THE IDOLS is really being OFFERED TO ACTUAL GODS. So when they eat such food it bothers them and hurts their tender consciences. 8 Just remember that God doesn’t care whether we eat it or not. We are no worse off if we don’t eat it, and no better off if we do. 9 But be careful not to use your FREEDOM to eat it, lest you cause some Christian brother to sin whose CONSCIENCE is weaker than yours. 10 You see, this is what may happen: Someone who thinks it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating at a temple restaurant, for you know there is no harm in it. Then he will become bold enough to do it too, although all the time he still feels it is wrong. 11 So because you “know it is all right to do it,” you will be responsible for causing great spiritual damage to a brother with a tender conscience for whom Christ died. 12 And it is a sin AGAINST Christ to sin AGAINST your brother by encouraging him to do something he thinks is wrong. 13 So if eating meat OFFERED TO IDOLS is going to make my brother sin, I’ll not eat any of it as long as I live because I don’t want to do this to him” I Corinthians 8:1-13 (Living Bible).
“We know [with confidence] that anyone born of God does not HABITUALLY sin; but He (Jesus) who was born of God [carefully] keeps and protects him, and the evil one does not touch him. 19 We know [for a fact] that WE ARE of God, and the whole world [around us] lies in the power of the evil one [opposing God and His precepts]. 20 And we [have seen and] know [by personal experience] that the Son of God has [actually] come [to this world], and has given us understanding and insight so that we may [progressively and personally] know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. 21 Little children (believers, dear ones), GUARD yourselves from IDOLS—[false teachings, moral compromises, and ANYTHING that would take God’s place in your heart]” 1 John 5:18-21 (Living Bible).
REV. CHUKIE MORSI
Leave a Reply