Word for Today, Thu, 21 Jul 2005: Be a Positive Example
Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>
Dear friends,
When we read the Bible, we must read it completely and we must
also read it from the lens of other scriptures and with an
appreciation of its historical context.
I take the Bible at its literal meaning unless the context
clearly tells me not to take it literally or if to do so would
violate solid principles of scripture found elsewhere. I do not
take my own opinion or that of others above the Word of God, but
take opinion into account when it is consistent with the Word of
God.
Once again today I would like to share with you a chapter from
the Word of God. Again I am sharing with you using an easy to
read translation. I encourage you to read the same passage of
scripture from whatever translation you happen to own (and if,
by any chance, you do not own a Bible, you ought to consider
getting one. Though Bibles are readily available on line, you
never know when on line access may disappear. My recent absence
from the Internet reminds me that there is no substitute for the
written and spoken Word of God.
Yours in Christ,
Brian
___________________________
1 Corinthians 8
Food Offered to Idols
1 In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All
of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us
proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In
fact, people who think they know so much don't know anything at
all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him.
4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the
idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one
God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and
lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only
one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live
for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by
him, and by him life was given to us.
7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have
grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when
they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak
conscience. 8 But food doesn't bring us any closer to God. We are
no worse off if we don't eat, and we are no better off if we do.
9 Don't cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just
because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this,
and so it doesn't bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But
suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to
eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know
has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting
a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So
if I hurt one of the Lord's followers by what I eat, I will never
eat meat as long as I live.
© Copyright 1995 by American Bible Society
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: http://www.geocities.com/masinick/
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