Claiming Rights and Living by Love
Book of 1 Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9
In this lesson, we will see the contrast between knowledge and love.
We know the Word of God provides us with the knowledge of how to live our lives according to the Word of God.
God has a response to every question we have in this life, no matter what it is!
The City of Corinth was a pagan city, full of idolatry.
Most of the meat sold in the marketplaces had been offered in sacrifice to idols, pagan gods.
A portion of a sacrifice was offered as a burnt offering to a false god; the person who offered the meat would get a portion, and the rest of the meat would be sold in the marketplaces.
Practically every social event in Corinth served meat that had been offered as a sacrifice to false gods.
What was a Christian to do when they went shopping for meat for their own families?
They had no idea where that meat came from, just as we have no idea when we go shopping for meat for our own families today.
There were also great social functions in the city, and many of them were held in the temples built for the worship of these false gods.
Could a Christian attend these events and eat the meals that were served, knowing that the meat might have been offered to false gods?
Many felt that it was wrong to buy meat that had been offered to false gods, but they could not tell if the meat they bought had been used as a sacrifice or if the meat came from some other source.
For this reason, many Christian believers became vegetarians.
Just as these Corinthians, Christians of today live amid a sinful and pleasure-mad world, and we will have questions.
These Corinthians wrote a letter to the Apostle Paul seeking answers to these questions, and the Church of today has those answers.
The greatest questions of today are about Christian freedoms.
Are we free to do as we please?
What restraints are put on Christian Liberty?
What controls our behavior in this wicked world?
What is Christian love?
Today, we have the complete Word of God, and it gives us all the answers we need to live in this life.
*****1Co 8:1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
1Co 8:3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
We must understand the three Christian graces which are Faith, Hope and Charity!
Faith is the vision of the unseen: Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
This is our trust in God.
Hope is our desire to be with our Creator: Eph 4:23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
Eph 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Charity (love) is the necessary condition of our dwelling with God and God in us: 1Co 12:31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
We know that God is love: 1Jn_4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn_4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
God loved us when we were worthless to Him, and we must strive to love like God loves and show that love not only to our brothers and sisters in Christ, but also to those we witness to.
It will be our love that will define us as Christians in the end!
Then, we need to first judge all things by love and not by knowledge.
We all have knowledge if we study the Bible and attend a Bible believing Church, but we all may not have the love of God within us as we go through this world.
The knowledge we have learned may come forth as pride, and our pride may interfere with our love.
It is our love that must define our bodies as a Temple of God!
We certainly have much more knowledge about God's creations, but it is by no means perfect knowledge.
We have much knowledge about the true Church, but it is love that builds the Church.
It is good to have clear views of Christian liberty, but if we exercise that knowledge without love for our brothers and sisters in Christ, then that knowledge is not fruitful for the Body of Christ.
The Holy Spirit is not given to us to do as we please!
We have the Holy Spirit living within us to give us freedom to serve the Lord Jesus, which is perfect freedom.
We are free to obey all the Word of God.
We are free from the law of sin and death: Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
1Pe 2:16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
We have complete freedom to do the things that are in God's will for us.
When God created this world, we live in, He said that it was all good.
Gen 1:31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
No actions of any Saint of God are unlawful if they are in accordance with God's design in creation.
We should understand that desires are a function of our bodies that God made. So, in this sense, we have complete freedom.
1) We must understand that many things in this world are neither worthwhile nor are they profitable.
2) We must understand that many things in this world are not wise. Some things will enslave us and not bring self-respect.
We are never to become slaves to anything on this earth, which would include such things as drugs or alcohol, or substance abuse.
We are to preserve our self-control to control the things upon this earth and not be controlled by any of them.
Our good health and our emotions depend upon us being in control of our bodies and our spirits.
Indulgence in any of the appetites of the body is one of the greatest sins of any believer.
Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
Our knowledge is useless if it is not bound by love for each other!
It is love that unites us with Jehovah.
If we love Jehovah, then He knows it and accepts it.
We are not accepted by God because of our knowledge!
Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
*****1Co 8:4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1Co 8:5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1Co 8:6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
As Christians, we know that there is no God but Jehovah.
We know that no idol is God and is nothing in this world, no matter what their worshippers may think.
There is no God but One, and He is Jehovah.
False gods are gods of the mind and imagination, ideas and notions.
They are gods made of wood and stone.
They are gods and lords of their own creation.
We could all sit down and think about what a perfect God should be, but we do not even know what perfect really means; we just know that our Savior is perfect and He is a perfect God.
We know that an idol is created because the Devil has influenced the mind of that person.
We know that an idol could represent the demons and evil spirits in our world.
1Co 10:20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
1Co 10:21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
There is indeed demonic influence in our world.
Even the powers of nature are worshipped as gods.
Even the Roman emperors claimed to be gods.
As Christians, we know that all these so-called gods do not exist except in the minds of some foolish people.
We know that there is, but one God and He is our Creator.
Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.
Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Joh 1:4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
Rom 11:36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
There are just far too many in our world who have not met the Lord Jesus Christ.
*****1Co 8:7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1Co 8:8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
We already know that this church in Corinth was full of baby Christians and was full of division.
They had not understood the truth of Jehovah.
They had many times eaten of this sacrificial meat and had visited the temples of false gods and taken part in the big banquets.
To them, to continue to do these things had to be a sin against Jehovah and apostasy.
It was their conscience that was weak. They just could not accept that this meat could be clean.
They could not tell what meat came from which source, so to them all the meat was unclean.
Too many, they just did not ask the source of the meat, and they just took it home and ate their conscience free and clear of any wrong.
We can see a lack of faith by those who became vegetarians.
They were not strong enough spiritually to control their minds and beliefs.
Act 10:14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Food is immaterial to God. Food does not make us more spiritual or less spiritual.
The eating of food does not make us acceptable to God nor does it better or worse.
We lose nothing by not eating and we gain nothing by eating.
Some would tell you that this same line of thought would apply to wine or alcohol, but the Scripture never said wine was clean.
Pro 23:29 Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?
Pro 23:30 They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.
Pro 23:31 Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.
Isa 5:22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
Isa 5:23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Isa 5:11 Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
There are many more places in the Scriptures concerning wine and alcohol.
We understand that there is such a thing as Christian Freedom, so the question of real importance is, "What effect will our conduct have on others"?
*****1Co 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
1Co 8:10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
1Co 8:11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
Some people use verse 8 to say "fasting" is not needed for a Christian, because of the words "but meat commendeth us not to God", but this would be a wrong interpretation.
We do have liberties as true Christians, but we are in sin if we lead anyone to do that which he thinks is wrong.
We make things worse for the "babe in Christ" by our example if we teach them to act in contradiction of their conscience.
God has revealed Himself through conscience; Rom 2:13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
Rom 2:14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
Rom 2:15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
Conscience may be regarded as an inward monitor or the voice of God in the soul, that passes judgment on men's response to the moral law.
We can study the Bible and learn every prophecy and think we know all that we can about Jehovah, but if we do not use these things to benefit others, such as babes in Christ, then these things will not bring the blessings of the Lord but rather reproach for the cause of Christ.
No matter how great a Christian we think we are, we must not become a stumbling block to a new Christian and especially to that one who left the Church before they experienced the salvation of Jesus Christ.
1Co 13:2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
Note that phrase in verse nine: "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours becomes a stumblingblock to them that are weak".
To the world, the Church is already a place full of hypocrites, so why would we ever make matters worse?
When Christians are seen out in public doing questionable things, others are sometimes influenced by the things they see us do, but in the wrong way.
We must never forget that none of us are so Spiritual that we cannot fall.
*****1Co 8:12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
There is no greater sin for the Christian than to damage the conscience of another believer!
A wounded conscience will make any person feel useless and helpless and may destroy their drive and initiative, and ambition.
Jesus Christ died for us in our weakness. If we lead some poor soul astray, we have committed a terrible sin against the truth of Jesus Christ.
What had the Lord Jesus told the Apostle Paul on his day of salvation?
Act 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
Any persecution of any believer is the same as persecuting the Lord Jesus Christ!
*****1Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
We must understand that we have no value in ourselves, but because of the work of Jesus Christ, we are valuable in Heaven!
If we are striving to be more like Jesus Christ, then we must remember what He has said: Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Our love for our brothers and sisters should mean that we will self-sacrifice for their welfare.
In the Church, we will influence more people by example than we will influence by our knowledge!
Rom 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
*****1Co 9:19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
1Co 9:20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1Co 9:21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1Co 9:22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1Co 9:23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
We can see that the Apostle enslaved himself to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
As did the Lord Jesus: Joh 13:14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.
Joh 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
We talk about Christian freedom, and we have certain freedoms, but we are free to walk with the Lord.
When we walk with the Lord, we are not as likely to return to the bondage of this world, which is bondage to the Devil.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This passage may apply more to preachers or pastors, but it also applies to every Christian.
The one purpose of following the Lord Jesus is to reach out to the lost and be a witness for Christ.
Paul said he was free from all men, but he had enslaved himself by love to serve one another.
As we are free because of Jesus Christ, we are not obligated to conform to the world's opinions.
We are never to compromise our convictions, but we must show the love of God to those we are trying to witness to.
We must remember our humble Shepherd and how He treated everyone He met, no matter their walk in life.
Paul obeyed the laws of Moses when he witnessed to Jews, as did the Lord, as long as nothing violated his walk with Christ.
This is a great example for the Church today.
We are free to do all things that do not violate the Law of God.
Though Paul would be obedient to the Law of Moses as best he could, he did not compel any Gentile to do the same.
Paul would go along with the customs of the Gentiles that were not in violation of the Laws of God.
Paul would go along with babes in Christ and refrain from doing some things that he had the Christian freedom to do.
Paul would not become a stumbling block to anyone seeking Jesus Christ!
The most important "grace" we have in our possession is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Mar 10:43 But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister:
Mar 10:44 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.
Mar 10:45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
No true Pastor or preacher, or even a Christian believer, can approach the Christian life with a bad attitude.
*****1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but onereceiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
1Co 9:26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
1Co 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
One of the great festivals of the Greeks took place in Corinth during the Isthmian Games in honor of Poseidon, which took place every three years.
When Paul mentioned the word race, these people knew what he was talking about.
No racer entered those games determined to lose, knowing that only one would be crowned the victor.
To be honest, it is the race itself that brings excitement and not always the winner.
As Christians, we all enter the Christian race to be winners, and we can know that our journey to Heaven will be exciting if we put our hearts into it.
God expects us to run and run hard!
Php 2:16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
A racer will spend much time preparing his body for that one day of the race.
He will prepare his body.
He will prepare his mind.
He will prepare his spirit.
As Christians, we must be just as disciplined as these athletes.
A true athlete will not put anything into his body that is corrupt or polluted.
Remember, our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
We must control our minds and our thoughts, and we must give in to the Holy Spirit and follow His lead.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
That crown we receive from Heaven is far greater than any crown we could receive on this earth.
We must make every time we witness count toward salvation, even if we water where someone else has planted the seed.
We cannot allow our bodies to dictate our actions.
As we age, our bodies will tell us it is just too tired to do anything and has too much pain.
God will not accept this as an excuse!
We are not to be slaves to our bodies; our bodies must be a slave to our work for the Lord!
Luk 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
That cross is a sign of pain and death, but we must overcome it because we can never die, and that cross will drive us to success.
To give in to our bodies is to be disqualified from the race!
We will struggle with sin all our days, but we cannot allow sin to dictate our actions.
There is nothing that we do that can separate us from the love of God.
Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Amen
