1 Corinthians 8:5-8 

⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. ⁸ But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Swimming Competition

         Do you love swimming? You may like swimming in summer, how about in winter? If you were to compete in swimming and you win the race, how would you celebrate? Someone competed in swimming; he touched the finish line first. He extremely celebrated, and then, he was stripped of the title as champion. Why?

The rule states, “Competitors who interfere with other swimmers during a race shall be disqualified from that race.” Swimmers were still swimming when the first swimmer to touch the finish line, immediately shouted for his victory and sat on top of the lane divider. It’s considered as interference to sit on top of the lane divider while other swimmers are still swimming. He was disqualified.

Audience may think otherwise, but a referee was assigned to decide what he considers as right judgment. Similarly, millions of people will be surprised on Judgment Day. How do you interpret what Christ Jesus declared in John 12:48?

⁴⁸There is a judge for the one who rejects me and does not accept my words; the very words I have spoken will condemn them at the last day. 

         Anyone may claim that they believe in God. God doesn’t need to ask if we believe him or not; he knows believers who have faith in him. Practically, how do we prove that we trust God and not innocently deceive ourselves? Jesus Christ is the truth; whatever he says is true. He warns, “The very words I have spoke will condemn them at the last day.” So, ask yourself: Did I obey the words of Christ?

         The Holy Spirit guarantees us to enter heaven; he inspires us to obey him faithfully. Obedience to his instruction is considered righteousness in the eyes of God. Together, let’s reflect on what it declares in Isaiah 32:17, ¹⁷The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever.

         Peace from God affirms our confidence that Christ returns and takes us to heaven. Do you sense peace from God? Are you confident you’ll enter heaven? By God’s grace we trust Christ by faith and obey him. We believe that God our Creator was born as human Jesus Christ. It declares in John 1:3, ³Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

         The pronoun “him” pertains to Jesus Christ our Creator. He created all things in heaven and on earth. Do you strongly believe that Christ is our Creator?

1.  Creator

⁵ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

         When Apostle Paul addressed the issue of many gods, probably, he had in mind intellectual members in the church of Corinth who came from Athens. Paul visually observed many idols when he was in Athens. The people of Athens were very religious. Together, let’s reflect on what Apostle Paul told the Athenians in Acts 17:22-23, ²²People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. ²³For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.

There were many intellectual Athenians but there’s no biblical record of a church in Athens. Possibly, believers from Athens joined the church in Corinth that Apostle Paul planted. After Paul left Corinth, Athenian believers may have intellectually argued and insisted on their beliefs of many gods, like in Athens.

Reflect on this question right now: Do you believe in the only one God in heaven and on earth? If you sense a hint of doubt, pray and ask God to increase your faith to believe that there is only one God in heaven and on earth. If your faith in God is strong, how do we explain to a child that there is only one God?

         Apostle Paul teaches Christian doctrine that “There is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.”

         Pertaining to Jesus Christ, Apostle Paul declares in Romans 11:36, ³⁶ For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! 

         From Christ and through Christ all things were created for his glory forever. How significant is eternal glory for Christ to establish for himself? This “glory” is interpreted as splendor, majesty, exaltation dignity, honor and all descriptions that inspire praise of God. This wonderful glorious reputation of Christ motivates to be more serious in our faith in him; if not, what motivates us? Let us reflect on

Colossians 1:15-20, ¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. ¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

         God initiated and reconciled through Christ, everything in heaven and on earth. Christ sacrificially died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins against God. His blood poured on the cross and washed away our sins. Do you believe?

         Well, not anyone who has conscience could trust Christ and obey him. How can we simply explain about “conscience” to ordinary person or a child?

2.  Conscience

⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 

         The term “conscience” pertains to moral and spiritual consciousness; it’s a God-given capacity, perception or sense to distinguish and know right from wrong. Conscience causes us to feel guilty when we don’t do the right thing.

Apostle Paul addressed the weak and defiled conscience of believers who argued against the one true God. When intellectual Athenians ate food sacrificed to idols, they may have justified as practice they were accustomed to. They did not feel guilty, maybe, because they just prioritized practices over faith in Christ.

Earlier, we’ve read “there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” And Apostle Paul asserted that not everyone possesses this knowledge. This term “knowledge” pertains to the doctrine about the person, nature and role of Christ orChristology, and it’s not simply intellectual accumulation of information. It is Christian doctrine and belief.

Belief or doctrine about Christ is suspicious to weak conscience defiled by cultural practices like eating food sacrificed to idols. Weak conscience or defiled conscience was not exclusive to intellectual Athenian believers. Believers with Jewish backgrounds were offended when intellectual Athenian believers justified about eating food sacrificed to idols. Why? Jewish believers may have argued also about their religious practices as prescribed in the Jewish Laws.

Apostle Paul addressed more about the Jewish Law in Romans 2:13-16:

¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. ¹⁴ (Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. ¹⁵ They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.) ¹⁶ This will take place on the day when God judges people’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.

         We study the Scripture to intellectually know which behavior is prescribed for children of God. When we practice what Christ instructed us to do, it becomes our doctrine or belief. And the more frequent we practice our doctrine and belief of Christ, the more we grow intimate in our knowledge of him, his mighty power, mercy, love and care. As a result, we prioritize the Lord and seriously obey him.

Food

         Many enthusiasts love to publish online foods they eat or foods they cook.

Somewhere in Asia, people eat almost everything that moves. They eat insects, snakes, rats, dog or cat. Someone pleaded online about his pet that was missing. He’s anxious that his cat was eaten by someone else. Have you ever tasted dog meat, grilled cat, fried rat or cricket? Have you ever tasted those delicacies?

         Together, let us reflect of what Apostle Paul testified in Romans 14:14-18:

         ¹⁴ I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ¹⁵ If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

         Do you drink coffee or tea? Do you drink pure black coffee without sugar or milk? Do you follow a particular diet plan? We may share to other about our diet plans, but if they prefer different kind of delicacy or diets, we don’t criticize them. We don’t condemn whatever diet plan they prefer or delicacy they delight to eat. Instead, we should persevere to obtain favor and commendation from the Lord.

3.  Commendation

⁸ But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

         The term “Bring” is properly interpreted as “Commend.” Food cannot provide commendation and approval from God. God did not prescribe food for his commendation. But does it mean that we can eat anything we want to eat? We’re free to eat anything we want, but we eat food that should benefit our health.

Let us reflect on what Apostle Paul had advised it 1 Corinthians 10:23,

²³“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

         We prefer foods that give us nourishment. But sometimes, we crave for food just to satisfy our appetite. That’s all! We eat fastfoods and junkfoods, drink soda while watching your favorite TV show, and we grow wide. Parents grow wide because they don’t want to waste food left over by their playful children.

         Now you know; you are not surprised why pastors are also growing wide. Of course, church people are caring, and they love to give so much food to their pastor. Surely, pastors feel guilty to throw away leftover food in their fridge. Pastors should remind themselves to eat foods that benefit their health.

         Do you know any biblical dietary plan that is spiritually beneficial for us?

 Daniel

         Let’s learn from Daniel; he resolved to ignore the salivating royal delicacy.

Daniel pleaded to the Babylonian official who supervised them for preferred diet in Daniel 1:12-16, ¹² “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. ¹³ Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” ¹⁴ So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. ¹⁵ At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. ¹⁶ So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead.

         Make sure to add veggies and water in your diet; it is good for your health. Experts warn against processed food. Processed foods are supposed to be the villain that causes so much illness to the body. Many enthusiasts publish online videos and pictures of delicacies they ate curiously; but as Christians, we won’t be bothered much if we cannot taste a popular cuisine in town. As long as we are healthy, that should satisfy us. We are admonished in Romans 14:17-18:

         ¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, ¹⁸ because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.

         Whether we eat popular delicacy or just ordinary cuisine, food cannot commend us to God. Food cannot bring us intimate with the Lord. It declared that the word of Christ will judge us, if we deserve commendation or condemnation.

         Anyone not governed by the Holy Spirit of Christ is condemned. Reflect on what it says in Romans 8:5-8, ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

         How do we explain “the realm of the flesh” to ordinary listener or a child? Realm of the flesh means living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses that cannot please God or against the prescription of God for his children. Do you accept that our effort that initiated by human sinful instinct is disgusting to God?

Before they’re exiled, the Lord rebuked Israel in Hosea 10:13. ¹³You have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors.

Do you consider difficult struggles we face as spiritual battles? We should depend on the Holy Spirit to be victorious, and not on our own strength or might. If God is with us, who can be against us? Anything can be against us, but we will be victorious certainly. How? We rely upon his Holy Spirit; he guides us to decide on the steps we practically take to be near God and be victorious. Amen!

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