The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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"Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that 'We all possess knowledge.' But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God."
Paul addresses a group of believers who are convinced they know a lot. I'm sure they did. However, Paul dresses them down here a bit, not for knowing little but as a reminder that it is love that trumps all in a believer's life.
There are a great many teachers and preachers we learn a lot from. They know their Bibles well, they have paid the sacrifice of years of study and learned the cultural backgrounds behind the Scriptures, the history, the original languages and so forth. I am quite certain the Lord has gifted them as they teach the rest of us to help us in our walk with him.
However, I have to say, as Paul reminds us here, it is not knowledge that builds up so much as it is love. Sad to say, some of those great teachers we have among us today appear to me to have a bit of a struggle with being "puffed up" as Paul says here. Paul doesn't say knowledge is a bad thing in itself. On the contrary, earlier in his letter he told them, "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge..." 1 Corinthians 1:4-5. Knowledge is enriching!
But, as Paul reminds these knowledgeable people, it is love that builds up. Love within the fellowship is what encourages us in Jesus Christ, energizes us, and demonstrates we have become a changed people by being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. As Paul told the churches of Galatia, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Note the first mentioned is love!
Paul addresses a group of believers who are convinced they know a lot. I'm sure they did. However, Paul dresses them down here a bit, not for knowing little but as a reminder that it is love that trumps all in a believer's life.
There are a great many teachers and preachers we learn a lot from. They know their Bibles well, they have paid the sacrifice of years of study and learned the cultural backgrounds behind the Scriptures, the history, the original languages and so forth. I am quite certain the Lord has gifted them as they teach the rest of us to help us in our walk with him.
However, I have to say, as Paul reminds us here, it is not knowledge that builds up so much as it is love. Sad to say, some of those great teachers we have among us today appear to me to have a bit of a struggle with being "puffed up" as Paul says here. Paul doesn't say knowledge is a bad thing in itself. On the contrary, earlier in his letter he told them, "I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge..." 1 Corinthians 1:4-5. Knowledge is enriching!
But, as Paul reminds these knowledgeable people, it is love that builds up. Love within the fellowship is what encourages us in Jesus Christ, energizes us, and demonstrates we have become a changed people by being indwelt by the Holy Spirit. As Paul told the churches of Galatia, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23. Note the first mentioned is love!
As Paul says later in the letter, "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2.
What is my love quotient today?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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