Month: May 2015

(1) Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. (2) For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. (3) Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. (4) Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. (5) One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.
Romans 14:1-5

We have a lengthier text today which really speaks for itself, so I’ll refrain from much comment.  We are all unique in the kingdom of God and at different places in our spiritual walk.  May we never let lesser things divide us as brothers and sisters!  One may see something as sinful while another has liberty in that area.  I’m not talking about things obviously sinful like the works of the flesh listed in Gal 5:19-21, but I’m referring to customs and traditions wherein we may differ.  As our text says, one may have liberty to eat or drink something while another does not.  One may observe a particular day while another overlooks it.  The encouragement to each of us is to “Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.” (v. 5) Remember, we must all individually stand before God to give an account of our actions (v. 12), so let’s be sure to judge ourselves most critically.  We ought to examine our motives behind what we allow or abstain from.  Is Christ at the center of those things?  We must be sure that these things can truly be done without injuring our conscience or working against faith in Christ, which is exactly the point the apostle makes at the end of this chapter: “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Rom 14:22-23)

Jamie

Now concerning things offered to idols: we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3

Before we dive into our passage today, it’s important to understand the context in which it was originally written. The apostle Paul is instructing the believers in Corinth on how to deal with weaker, less mature Christians. The particular topic at hand is the eating of meat offered to idols. Many in the Corinthian church could buy this discounted meat and enjoy it with thanksgiving to God, having no consciousness of the idol unto which it was offered; others in the church, however, saw such an act as sin because when they saw the meat, they saw idolatry. To buy the meat for them would be to support idolatry. If they ate it, they equated that with bowing down to the idol. Paul makes it clear that the more mature brother should refrain from eating this meat before these weaker brethren lest he wound their conscience and encourage them to participate in things they viewed as sinful. This refraining from meat for their sake was not a legalistic act but rather an act of love.

With that context in mind, Paul deals with the topic of knowledge. Knowledge can be a wonderful thing, but by itself, it can have a detrimental effect on the one who possesses it. If a man has knowledge only, the result will always be pride, the first of the seven sins that Pro 6:17 tells us the Lord hates. Knowledge puffs up! You say, “What kind of knowledge?” All kinds, including knowledge of the word of God! Just because we know the truth doesn’t mean we know how to use it. Paul makes a statement in our text that ought to hit home: “And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.” (1Co 8:2) Remembering this fact will help to keep us humble. Only the Lord has full understanding in all things. At best, we see but a portion of the fullness of the truth revealed in the word of God.

As 2Pe 3:18 teaches us, knowledge must always be tempered by grace: “…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.” The gracious person knows Who deserves the glory, as the end of the verse says. We ought never learn the word of God to impress men; the goal, as in all things, should be to glorify God! The one who grows in knowledge only will be filled with pride, but the man who, as he increases in knowledge, also grows in his awareness of God’s grace toward him will in turn be gracious as he dispenses his knowledge. The know-it-all “Christian” is harsh and unloving, looking down on those with lesser understanding. He’ll eat that meat offered to idols every time and give the weaker brother a good tongue-lashing for not doing the same! But the brother who is mature in knowledge AND in grace uses his tongue wisely, following the instruction of Col 4:6: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” The love and compassion of Christ will be evident in such an individual, and he’ll know, as that verse concludes, HOW to answer everyone.

In Isa 47:10, we find a people of whom it is said, “Your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; and you have said in your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me.’ ” Do you see the self-centeredness of having knowledge ONLY? That person acts with a view only to himself! But what does our text today contrast against such behavior? Though knowledge alone puffs up, “love edifies”! We ought always test our words and actions before expressing them with this simple rule. We should ask ourselves, “Am I about to say and do that which will build individuals up in the Lord?” It doesn’t mean we have to have sugar pouring off of every syllable. A true friend will speak a wounding rebuke when it is best for an individual’s soul! (Pro 27:6) But, the bottom line is we act out of love which is never prideful. “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…” (1Co 13:4) So, yes, we should study the word of God diligently, but we ought to do so on our knees, asking God to help us grow in both knowledge and grace. Then we will dispense that knowledge in love, to the eternal benefit of those who hear.

Jamie

Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. And when there had been much dispute…
Acts 15:6-7

The events of Act 15 mark the first major issue in the New Testament church. Prior to this question regarding whether or not circumcision was required for salvation, there had not been a serious disagreement on a large scale among the believers. The “dispute” taking place could have easily turned into fracture and division, but the way the matter was handled should inspire us to follow their example. The outcome of their disagreement would be a decision of unity which strengthened the early church instead of weakening it, the effect that difficulties should always have upon us as believers. So how did these men handle such a tense situation so effectively?

First of all, “the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter“. (v. 6) We note the humility in this coming together. The leaders of the assembly included elders and apostles, but though the apostles were eye witnesses of Christ’s resurrection who had been taught by Him firsthand and had been used of God to perform miracles, there was no spirit of pride evident. They all came together on equal footing, each simply desiring the will of God. They evidenced Phi 2:3: “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.”

Secondly, they heard as a group firsthand accounts from eye witnesses involved in the matter. There was no hearsay or slander, only open discussion of the facts. It is our duty to investigate further and substantiate any accusations that must be dealt with among us. We cannot base our decisions on secondhand information. Remember, James says “the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity…and it is set on fire by hell.” (Jas 3:6) With such a description, we have reason to suspect the tongue’s words! Jesus’ advice when dealing with differences that couldn’t be handled one on one is found in Mat 18:16. “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ” Whispering and gossip have no place in the kingdom of God. Pro 16:27-28 associates these practices with the wicked: “An ungodly man digs up evil, and it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” Had they given themselves to such behavior, separation would have been inevitable.

Thirdly, the decision of these Christian leaders was supported by the word of God. We saw last week that James quoted from the book of Amos to prove that this salvation of the Gentiles was backed up by scripture. The word of God should be the first place we look for answers for it makes the solution clear: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psa 119:105) In looking to the word, we look to God for it is His word. There is no other book that fits the description of 2Ti 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Lastly, the church as a whole submitted to the authority of their spiritual elders. Act 15:22 highlights the unity of their minds, stating “it pleased the apostles and elders, with the whole church…” It is certainly true that we should not follow men blindly. For our soul’s sake, we should be like the Bereans who after hearing Paul’s preaching “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so”. However, if scripture doesn’t stand against the decision of those leading the church, we ought to submit to that authority. Concerning these shepherds of the flock of God, Heb 13:17 instructs us to, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” And so, these early Christians followed those who were over them who were in turn following Christ. (1Co 11:1) The result was a decision that brought the church together and Act 15:31 tells us they “rejoiced over its encouragement.” May we learn from their God-honoring example.

Jamie