Complex Logic

Scripture: Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 1 Corinthians 8:9-11

Observation: This is an "advanced" lesson coming from Paul. He is discussing the concept that, in some cases, sin involves a relationship between and action and our understanding of/relationship to that action.

In this example, it is a sin to eat food that has been sacrificed to other gods. However, if Christians know there are no other gods, then food sacrificed to idols hasn't been sacrificed to gods and thus could be eaten. However ... if a new Christian does not understand that concept, and sees us eating that food and thus eats it themselves believing they are eating food that has been sacrificed to another god, they are sinning.

This is a complex and advanced notion about maintaining our right relationship with God, and it has SO many applications today.

Application: The heart of this lesson is actually about how Christians interrelate when they are at different levels of maturity in their faith. And that is the driving lesson I sometimes forget ... not only are there different levels of maturity, but that is normal, and if I consider myself more mature then I am to adjust my behavior to appease other believers, instead of judging them and driving them to a higher standard.

Where is this happening in my church? Those who aren't serving ... I must not judge them. Instead, I should just serve them and let them learn of opportunities to grow. Those who allow worldly concepts to permeate their lives ... I should remove the plank from my own eye then let them see a joy-filled life. Those straining in their marriage ... I can lend an ear yet model being an attentive husband.

Prayer: Lord, one of the truths about all relationships is that they are personal, and thus your relationship with each believer is different. I should not hold others to conform to my understanding of you. At the same time, I should be prepared to adjust my behavior in order to not make others consider complex concepts before they are ready. Please allow me patience in these matters.