1 Now regarding your question about food that has been offered to idols. Yes, we know that “we all have knowledge” about this issue. But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. 2 Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much. 3 But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.
– I Cor 8
Paul continues his writing to the churches. Evidently one of their questions was if they could eat meat that had been offered to other idols. Was it a sin? Paul takes a sidestep before he answers the question and addresses knowledge and love.
Knowledge makes us feel important.
Love strengthens the church.
Would I rather be important or give strength?
Would I rather have a church that felt important or that was strong?
Some would argue "You can’t throw out knowledge. A dumb church would not be strong." Agreed. But, I have been in plenty of churches that were wise and unloving. They were pretty sure they were all important, but they had shallow love for each other and the world; a direct contrast to the mission of Christ. Somewhere we got off balance.
May God birth a new church in this age. May it be a wise church, but may it have love. A deep love and compassion for each other and a deep love for those who are outside of Christ. And may he recognize them.
Be wise, yes, be wise. But more importantly, love God. Otherwise we are just noisy.
[tags]leadership, love, knowledge, answers, church health, devotions[/tags]