July 25, 2010
STUDIES IN 1 CORINTHIANS (27)
Your Brother’s Conscience
1 Corinthians 8:4-13
Tonight we continue our ongoing study of the book of 1
Corinthians. We are
currently addressing Paul’s concerns with brethren that failed to be
concerned about each other in their actions of liberty.
The specific issue had to do with the eating of meats offered to
idols.
In our last lesson we
noted the background of meats in Corinth and how it was often related to
sacrificing to idols. We
then examined the first 3 verses and noted the importance of knowledge
and the danger of knowledge, especially when it is not accompanied by
godly love. Paul noted that
while some of these brethren had knowledge which permitted them to do
certain things they were NOT at liberty to abuse that knowledge if it
meant hurting a brother in any way.
a.
The
concern – eating of meats offered to idols.
i.
Physically
and spiritually, there was nothing inherently wrong with eating meats –
even if they had been sacrificed to an idol.
It is nothing but food which can provide needed nourishment AND
which Paul told Timothy is fine if it is received with thanksgiving – 1
Timothy 4:4-5.
In vs. 8 of our text, Paul will say this again, “But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the
better, nor if we do not ear are we the worse.”
ii.
The
reason: Idols are nothing (so-called gods).
There is NOTHING behind the carved image of stone or wood or
whatever it is. Anything we
make into a god needs for us to consider this.
Even covetousness (Col. 3:5) is called idolatry.
Have you consider that in addition to it detracting from God, the
reason it is an idol is because, like the rocks or trees or jewelry or
whatever it is that one worships, IT CANNOT DELIVER you to God nor save
you! That is WHY we are not
to trust in uncertain riches (cf. Matt. 6:19-21, 1 Tim. 6:17)
b.
We know
there is only ONE God and ONE Jesus Christ (4 – 6)
i.
This is
one of the foundational lessons for the Christian. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells
us “there is one God and one
Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus…”
John 17:3 as Jesus prayed, He noted “this
is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom You have sent.”
ii.
Lesson:
Since all other gods are nothing, it is IMPERATIVE that we make effort
to convert the lost to Christ.
Without Christ, all are lost.
We need to be sensitive to this fact when we converse with those
of other religions. Remember
Paul on Mars Hill in Athens, Act 17:16-17, 22-25.
He sought to persuade believers in other gods.
Let us consider this within our text.
iii.
Lesson 2:
Make sure you KNOW who God is and that you are serving Him.
It would certainly be a good thing if your assurance in God is
strong enough that you could eat such things without being phased in a
spiritual sense (knowing the food is nothing).
c.
This
becomes the foundation upon which Paul will make some points about
eating these foods. There
are some SERIOUS considerations about doing such things.
a.
Not
everyone has this knowledge – the context obviously is making an appeal
to brethren: Possibly the new convert or one who previous life involved
in such false worship still haunts him.
And then there is the concern of the one who is outside (this
will be dealt with more in chapter 10).
b.
NOTE: This
is not an indictment against one who has obeyed the gospel out of
idolatry. It is not implying
he still believes in these gods (serving God and idols at the same
time), but he could be struggling with reminders of what his former
actions meant. When he
thinks of the foods being eaten, he cannot get the practice behind the
meats out of his mind. There
might be fear of the desire to return, etc.
(see vs. 7b of our text)
c.
LESSON:
Let us be careful before we jump to conclusions about one still young in
the faith. A new faith is
NOT fully developed or matured.
Give it time. This is
an example where the attitudes of Romans 14 apply.
d.
Considering the conscience:
i.
Let us
remind ourselves of the importance of our conscience in what we do –
whether mature or a babe in Christ.
We have to respect our conscience.
ii.
The
conscience is one of the elements that distinguishes us from all other
living things. It is one of
the elements of being a man and (I believe) being made in the image of
God. It is something within
each of us individually that helps us discern between right and wrong.
When something is right, our conscience is soothed whereas when
something is wrong, our conscience is bothered.
The conscience WORKS (as opposed
to being trained)! But it
reacts based upon KNOWLEDGE (see vs. 1-3).
iii.
We must
give respect to our conscience – Roman 14:22-23; 1 Corinthians 10:28-29,
etc.
iv. In our text, Paul is clear – IF you conscience bothers you to eat meats offered to idols – DO NOT DO IT! Later in this text, his warning is as strong as Romans 14:22-23 if you do.
a.
Paul’s
biggest concern was once again how they were treating each other as
brethren in these matters.
b.
Beware
lest my liberty become a stumbling block to “the weak” (9-10).
i.
As in
Romans 14, “the weak” here are not less Christians, they simply cannot
participate in a given practice because their conscience will not allow
them to do so.
ii.
The term
“liberty” means “power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases; leave
or permission” (Thayer).
When we think of liberties we think of freedoms.
In this case, it is those things we are free to choose to do (or
not to do). In other words,
this is not dealing with established commands.
iii.
Paul warns
brethren here to “beware” or be alert, lest that which they are at
liberty to participate in becomes a “stumbling block” to the weak.
The idea of a stumbling block is something that one trips over.
The idea is an action that causes another to commit sin by going
against his conscience.
iv.
The point
is THINK ABOUT YOUR BRETHREN when you act.
Over and over this principle is emphasized in scripture – Galatians 5:13
says, “For you, brethren, have been called to
liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,
but through love serve one another.”
1 Corinthians 10:24, “Let no one seek his own, but each one the
other’s well-being.” Romans
14:20, “Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food…”
Even Jesus warned about causing others to stumble – Luke 17:1-2.
v.
Do our
actions demonstrate self-centeredness? Do we give enough consideration
to this in our treatment of one another as brethren?
c.
The
consequence of stumbling (10-11)
i.
In vs. 10
one observation to be made is that weaknesses are real!
We sometimes ignore this and I am fearful that too often we don’t
give room for weaknesses. We
expect someone who obeys the gospel to come up out of the water, full
grown spiritually and a full understanding of everything about being a
Christian. Such is
simply not true! And we need
to allow room for one to grow.
NOTE: this is NOT saying we tolerate ungodliness and hope they
outgrow it, but in many things we need to show a little patience and
strive to teach them with “kid gloves”.
Paul called it “a spirit of gentleness” (Gal. 6:1).
Jude called it compassion (Jude 22).
ii.
(Vs. 10)
Considering that, the “weak” brother, may be struggling to overcome
issues in his life. In the
midst of his struggles, he may observe you, the strong one, doing what
he questions. As a result,
in weakness AND inexperience he joins you or acts, even though he
questions whether such acts are right.
Often his observance of you is a result of your carelessness – either
intentional or ignorantly.
But either way…
iii.
As a
result of his actions in doubt, Paul says, “the weak brother perish, for
whom Christ died.”
1.
Let it be
clear, if in doubt he sins, his soul is in danger! Unless he repents, he
will perish.
2.
Ignorance
is no excuse. We cannot
consider sins of weakness as excusable.
This text contradicts that.
3.
Note: This
text also defeats the “once saved, always saved” doctrine for it speaks
of a brother perishing and it notes that Christ had died for him (i.e.
his sins had been forgiven).
d.
My
responsibility (12-13) –
i.
Paul
announces some severe consequences against the one who CAUSES the
brother to stumble. NOTE:
While we know that each one shall stand before God and give account of
himself in judgment (Romans 14:10,12; 2 Cor. 5:10), this is one of many
verses that tells each of us, we ARE responsible to do what we can for
others, especially our brethren.
We cannot go around doing and we please and say, “it’s his
problem if he doesn’t like it” or “I’m not going to let his weaknesses
keep me from doing what I want to do.”
Such is NOT the Christian spirit!
ii.
The
consequences include:
1.
When I
don’t care about my brother I sin.
Note who sins in this verse!
2.
When my
actions wound my brother I sin.
3.
My sin is
not just against him, it is also against Christ.
How?
First, every sin is against Christ (cf. Psa. 51:4, Acts 5:4, etc.)
Second, in this case, your actions do great damage against His church.
Third, you have failed to love your brother as commanded! (see vs. 1)
iii.
How far
will I go to prevent this from happening? (13)
1.
If
necessary, Paul was willing to totally give up something he enjoyed if
it would save others or help them become stronger.
2.
When we
love our brethren we are going to act in their best interest.
How much do we care?
Phil. 2:4
3.
Am I
willing to be a godly example!
4.
Are we
willing to SACRIFICE and do without what we might otherwise be entitled
to do, if it will build up our brethren?
And thus we can see the importance of thinking about our brethren. Paul wrote these words to brethren who had all sorts of problems, many against one another. Let us consider these words when we face problems as well. And may we, as this text gives example, consider how our conduct affects others before we act – whether good or bad. Think about it.