Balance: Knowledge of the Word, Plus Intimacy with the Lord1 Corinthians 8:4
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that "An idol is nothing at all in the world" and that "There is no God but one."
Thoughts for Today:On one hand Paul says, "Because idols are nothing, go ahead and eat the meat sacrificed to them." Then he says, "There is no God but one." So what were the Corinthians to do? Eat the meat or not eat the meat? Is food what Paul is really talking about?
I believe we can find the answer in Genesis 2:15-3:10. We all know the story: There was one tree in the Garden forbidden by God -- the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were not to eat its fruit. Regardless, they rebelled and ate its fruit contrary to the Lord's instruction. Immediately, they knew something was different. They had pursued wisdom, thought they gained something special (the knowledge of right and wrong), yet the results were tragic. They realized their nakedness, hid it from God, and by doing so, lost intimacy with the Lord.
The same thing happens to us when we practice a Biblical and theological wisdom that leads to separation from God. It's important to realize that too much emphasis on academic understanding gets in the way of our relationship with the Lord. How so? It takes us away from prayer, makes us less concerned about our brothers and sisters, and reduces our desire to completely rely upon the Father. We begin to think we can handle any situation based on our own knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Studying the Word must never replace our time spent in intimacy and dependency on the Lord. When it does, then knowledge gained from our effort is worthless. Paul's message today is one of balance: Knowledge of the Word, plus intimacy with the Lord.
Questions to Ponder:Have you lost a degree of intimacy with the Lord? Could it be because you have replaced the intimacy of time spent in His presence, with Church related activities? Are Bible studies, men's or women's group activities, or social events dominating your time? When was the last time you spent time with Him alone?
So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that "An idol is nothing at all in the world" and that "There is no God but one."
Thoughts for Today:On one hand Paul says, "Because idols are nothing, go ahead and eat the meat sacrificed to them." Then he says, "There is no God but one." So what were the Corinthians to do? Eat the meat or not eat the meat? Is food what Paul is really talking about?
I believe we can find the answer in Genesis 2:15-3:10. We all know the story: There was one tree in the Garden forbidden by God -- the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam and Eve were not to eat its fruit. Regardless, they rebelled and ate its fruit contrary to the Lord's instruction. Immediately, they knew something was different. They had pursued wisdom, thought they gained something special (the knowledge of right and wrong), yet the results were tragic. They realized their nakedness, hid it from God, and by doing so, lost intimacy with the Lord.
The same thing happens to us when we practice a Biblical and theological wisdom that leads to separation from God. It's important to realize that too much emphasis on academic understanding gets in the way of our relationship with the Lord. How so? It takes us away from prayer, makes us less concerned about our brothers and sisters, and reduces our desire to completely rely upon the Father. We begin to think we can handle any situation based on our own knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
Studying the Word must never replace our time spent in intimacy and dependency on the Lord. When it does, then knowledge gained from our effort is worthless. Paul's message today is one of balance: Knowledge of the Word, plus intimacy with the Lord.
Questions to Ponder:Have you lost a degree of intimacy with the Lord? Could it be because you have replaced the intimacy of time spent in His presence, with Church related activities? Are Bible studies, men's or women's group activities, or social events dominating your time? When was the last time you spent time with Him alone?
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