IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Daily Bread

Love God; Be Known by God

Date: Jun. 14, 2021

Passage

1 Corinthians 8:1-13 (ESV)

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”—yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:3

But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.

1. Knowledge puffs up, love builds up (1-6)

There must have been a question among the Corinthian Christians about whether it was okay to eat food that had been sacrificed to an idol. Paul reminded them that there were many idols, none of which had any value. But there is only one God, through whom all things come. These things God's people know. And they know there was no harm in eating food sacrificed to an idol. But Paul warned that sometimes this knowledge can make us puffed up. Those with this knowledge sometimes look down on those who do not know the gospel, and who might be concerned about eating food that had been sacrificed to an idol. Our knowledge should be tempered with concern for others.

2. …for whom Christ died (7-13)

Those who really know the gospel need to be careful how they act on their knowledge. If those with stronger faith (who know it is no problem eating food sacrificed to idols) eat it in front of someone with weaker faith (who doesn't know this), that may become a stumbling block to the one with weaker faith. We should rather live in a way that will build others up. That is the way of the gospel.

Prayer: Father, bless me to repent from living based on my own knowledge. Help me to live by faith and build others up.

One Word: Love God; be known by God.

Daily Bread

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

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Intro Daily

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references