Passage
1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (ESV)
Dedication of the Temple
2 Chronicles 5:2-14
Key Verse: 5:13
Whoever Loves God
Date: Aug. 25, 2015
Daily Bread
Key Verse: 8:3
First, knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1-6). The Christians in Corinth had a question about eating food sacrificed to idols. They were smart enough to know that idols are nothing and that food is food. They also knew that there is only one God the Father and one Lord, Jesus Christ. But their knowledge only made them puffed up with pride, and was useless in building up others or themselves. It is better to love. In love we learn that we are known by God. He is our source of life. In his love he sent Jesus to be our Lord, to bear all of our sins in perfect love, and to make us his own.
Second, the one for whom Christ died (7-13). When we live based on our knowledge there is the danger that we fail to discern our brothers and sisters in Christ. Not everyone has the same knowledge. When we live based on love we see each brother and sister as the one for whom Christ died. Knowledge without love can be destructive and leads us to sin against Christ. Love has the power to build up and guides us to know Christ who died for us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to live a Christ based life, not a knowledge based life. Use me to build others up.
One Word: Love builds up
