Knowledge and Love

PASSAGE FOR THE DAY:
1 Corinthians 8 (click the link)


KEY VERSES:
… knowledge puffs up while love builds up.  (1 Corinthians 8:1b, NIV)


REFLECTIONS:
It’s so hot in Texas this time of year that some days I just like to daydream of cooler weather. Crisp air, orange and yellow leaves, fluffy sweaters, campfires, and… s’mores! I have a confession to make: I’m a half-hearted s’more lover; I like the idea of the cookie better than eating them. What I really like about s’mores is, well… playing with the marshmallows. My big kids can tell you I taught them that the best use for those big puffy marshmallows is to stick ‘em in the microwave and watch them implode. Try it! They puff up to like 3x their original size and then collapse in a puddle of rubbery goo. 

So, what does that have to do with 1 Corinthians 8? Well nothing, unless you’re like me and remember lessons best with mental pictures. Instead of just giving instructions about an issue that came up in the Corinthian church, Paul first taught a principle that applies in other areas as well:

• “Knowledge puffs up” When we adjust our behavior to reflect our beliefs we’re acting on knowledge, and that’s a good thing. But if knowledge moves us toward restrictions where God has given freedom, especially if we require similar behavior from others, we get puffed up, just like those marshmallows that seem to be growing until suddenly their true essence is revealed—a little bit of substance and a lot of hot air.
• “but Love builds up” When we adjust our behavior to reflect our beliefs… and we can still give freedom where God has given freedom, we’re acting on love. Love builds up a strong foundation where brothers and sisters can stand together as fellow lovers of Jesus. In verse 2, Paul essentially says “If you think living by knowledge is good, wait ‘til you live by love—you ain’t seen nothing yet!” 

At issue in Corinth was whether it was “Christian” to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Traditionally, meat meant for pagan offerings was divided into 3 parts: 1 part was burned to worship the god, 1 part went home with the worshipper and 1 part went to the priest. Often the priest would sell his portion, usually for a cheap price, and don’t we all love a bargain? For some, idol worship was something they had recently eliminated as part of turning from “so-called” gods to the One God. What a conflict they must’ve felt then, going back to a temple where they had once worshipped to get a good deal on meat and to them, it was best not to eat temple meat. Others did not have that same conflict and saw it as a good gift from God. Apparently some, though, were not able to reconcile the differing convictions within their faith community and wanted rules and it became a test of spirituality, a religious power-play. And some were pushing back, using their freedom to knock their brothers and sisters off the foundation of love.


PERSONAL APPLICATION:
Do you ever find yourself wishing a brother or sister would just behave? If they would just live by the standards you live by… or, do you ever find yourself feeling like you’ll never measure up to others? Somewhere in those attitudes is a conflict between knowledge and love. Knowledge is good, but love is better. So what are those things you do or don’t do that might subtly become a test of spirituality? Movies? Alcohol? Vegetarian? Voting for a certain party? Eating at Chick-Fil-A? The list could go on forever.

F. Scott Fitzgerald said “The test of a first rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.” Do I function well as part of Christ’s greater worldwide body? As part of the local body? Can I accept a brother or sister with completely different convictions without trying to change their God-given convictions? Jesus, make it so. 


WHO AM I?
I’m Leigh Anne Bland, and this is me in 1st grade. I liked climbing trees, playing Big Valley (hence the gun I was totin’) and I still have that enormous cowlick.