Wednesday June 25 1 Corinthians 8-10

OK, ok, ok. I know you guys are just ichn' to get to this things so lets start. Keagan says sorry so late, look at it like a test of patience.

Chapter 8.
v 1
Knowledge (via legalism) puffs up and what you think you know you really don't know because LOVE build up (is productive).

When we correct some one doing something wrong, do we do it in LOVE with hopes for true correction or do we do it to point out how wrong they are and how right and smart we are??

If a weaker brother or sister  (weaker in the sense that they don't have as much revelation of freedom from God), has a conviction that they should NOT eat bacon. Then you walk in eating a Baconator from Wendys. When they see that, they feel like "If they can do that I can too" and start eating bacon, but then get really sick and die because they felt they really should not have eaten the bacon and they disobeyed their conscience, you (as Paul says in verse 11)  "caused the weaker brother to perish" in verse 11) and you wounded their weak conscience and then you sin against Christ (v.12).  Use Grace to uplift and edify, not tear down and destroy.

Why do you think it is important to care, and be careful for the weaker brothers and sisters??
Have you ever taken your "liberty" to do something that has caused another brother or sister to stumble?

I have, and I am still sorry to this day for it. Some very bad things can happen to the weaker person.

We are to protect and care for each other. If eating bacon in front of some one cause an inner struggle and temptation they stumble at... that I will not eat it in front of them... remember its more than just bacon I am talking about here.  :-)

Chapter 9 Paul continues the thought. The greatest is the servant, and the servant denies him self or her self... and serves (v.19) all men.

This week do something to lay your self down, and deny your self. and strive (yes strive) to sacrifice your self more and more. When you do that, you will sense the Lord walking closer and closer to you. God is drawn to the humble...but hates the prideful.

WHAT WILL YOU SACRIFICE?

Chapter 10 talks about idolatry which you might say, "That does not relate to me, I have no idols in my house that I burn incense to". Well, ALL idolatry begin with the worship of self, and your ideas of what YOU want, what YOU think, what YOU desire. Then they turn in to "things". IF you had to say ANYTHING in your life was an idol, what would it be?? What should you do with it if you know realize it is an idol??