…yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.
7 It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. – 1 Corinthians 8:6-7
Here is an interesting chapter, giving us a glimpse into the challenges of the first century, gentile, church. Paul is responding to questions about food that is sacrificed to idols and whether or not person should be permitted to eat them. The idea of where our food comes from might not something that we would even begin to worry about in today’s society. Most of us simply go to the store or restaurant and purchase the food we want to eat and go on with life. Now, we might care about the quality of our food, or the farms which produced it, but I would guess not in the same manner as what Paul is referring.
There is something that we can learn though, that perhaps is important. Paul, in writing about food, reminds us that idols are at the end, worthless. Paul’s broad claim is that there is only one God, the Father, and one Lord, Jesus. Without these, northing would exist. Paul’s claim reminds us that while we might put our faith in many things, anything other than putting faith in God and Jesus is worthless. Yet, Paul acknowledges that not everyone knows or understands this concept. It is for the latter reason that we continue even in the twenty-first century with people who put their faith in many different things, and may be revealing the alternative places we might place our worship. Not everyone understands how they might be placing faith in things other than God. Not everyone has understood the salvation offered through Christ, nor how the grace, mercy, and love of God are offered.
I find, that this give us, the people of God, all the more reason to reflect God’s love for us in our actions, in our words, and in the way we interact with others. If we claim to be the church, to be one of Christ’s own, the way we treat others matters so that we can show them where to truly place their faith, and come to understand everything else is just a worthless idol.
I pray, we live today and everyday living a life of praise and worship to the One, true God. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Sam