Trusting God When There Are Questions

 God has given some laws as to how things ought to be done.  Unfortunately, because we only partially understand those laws, we can try to apply them when they do not fit the situation.  I Corinthians 8:1-3 addresses such a situation.  “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.”  Because we know a little bit, we can think we know all about it, but that attitude clearly shows how little we actually know.  Habakkuk 2:4 warns about the danger of thinking we know what to do in every situation.  “Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.” 

 

As Proverbs 21:4 tells us, that proud attitude itself sin.  “An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.”  Fortunately, God knows our heart, and the motivations for what we do, and takes those into account in judging us.  We can trust him and step out by faith when we are not don’t have any specific instructions as to what to do, confident that if we are wrong, he will show us what is right, and we are to live by faith.

 

There were many Jews, but there were also many from other backgrounds in the cities where Paul ministered.  Sometimes there were questions about how a Christian should react in a certain situation.  Since Christians were not bound by the law how should they react in these situations.   Priests in many of the pagan religions sold part of the meat that was offered as sacrifices to merchants at the local market.  Since it had been offered as a sacrifice, was it okay for Christians to eat or not.  If not how were they to know which was ok to eat? 

 

Paul points out that as Christians, we know that those other gods people worship really are not gods at all, in I Corinthians 8:4-6.  “As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” 

 

Knowing that, we don’t need to worry about eating such food, but as I Corinthians 8:7 tells us, not everyone understands that.    “Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.”  They see buying and eating that meat as participating in or contributing to that false religion.   

 

Whether we eat it or not will not affect our standing with God, but we need to be careful that we do not turn others away by our decision, as I Corinthians 8:8-13 tells us.  “But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.  For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?  But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.  Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend. they may be saved.”  Our testimony to others is far more important than whether we eat of don’t eat a certain food. 

 

This was especially a problem for those of Jewish background, as Paul points out in I Corinthians 10:16-19, because eating those sacrifices was a part of their worship, as I Corinthians 10:16-18 describes.  “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.  Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?  What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?”  We know that the idols are not really gods, but  How does this apply in our daily lives? 

 

The first thing we need to understand is that all those false religions are Satanic, and as Christians we must not be involved in Satanic worship, as I Corinthians 10:20-22 tells us.  “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.  Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.  Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?” God is a jealous God, and will not overlook trying to replace him with some other god. 

 

As Christians, we can do anything anyone else can do, but we need to remember some things are not worth what they cost and some weaken us rather than strengthening us.  We need to focus on things that are beneficial, as I Corinthians 10:23-24 tells us.  “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.  Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.”

 

Knowing this is all well and good, but how does it apply in daily life?  I Corinthians 10:25-27 says, “Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.”  Because we know it doesn’t matter whether we eat it or not, we can just buy the meat from the market without concern where it came from, and we don’t have to worry about it if we are invited out to eat.  Don’t embarrass them by making an issue of it. 

 

On the other hand, if it comes up, it is obvious they are concerned about it and you should avoid eating it so that you don’t cause confusion or leave yourself wondering whether you did the right thing, as I Corinthians 10:28-33.  “But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?  For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.  Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

 

We need to be more concerned about drawing people to the Lord than about our personal standards or comfort.  Romans 15:1-4 advises, “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification.  For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. When there are valid questions, we need to be careful not to drive others away.  This does not mean we ignore things the scripture is clear about, but that we do not let questionable things become issues.  We can trust God to work out those questionable situations.