Don’t judge those with a weak conscience . . .

In ancient and even modern times, people worship idols. In many cases, they put food out for those idols, but since these idols are not real, the food is uneaten. Those who offer it wind up eating it themselves. Or in the case of the church at Corinth, they were offering it to their guests, some of whom were new Christians. These folks were concerned: was it a sin to eat this food?

Paul’s response is long but it does have application for today. It takes him awhile to get to the point, but he first affirms that idols do not exist, only in the imagination.  We have one God and should have no problem with eating anything. However, some were looking at this as sin so was it?

This reminds me of a Christian visitor to our home. While I was preparing the meal, our little granddaughter asked the visitor to play a game of “Old Maid” with her. The woman said she would love to play but asked for a different type of game. She explained later that she grew up in a family that gambled using cards. To her, it was a sin and rather than defile her conscience, she rejected the card game but was fine with other games.

This is what Paul said about this matter:

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 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. However, not all possess this knowledge.

But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. (1 Corinthians 8:1–13)

The issue was not so much about food but our need to consider the conscience of others. Like my friend and card games, some thought eating this food was sinful and would put a barrier between them and God. They may later realize this belief came from a weak conscience, but in the meantime, it would be a sin to make light of their weakness, so don’t eat the food. Otherwise, it isn’t a problem.

Paul also wrote about this issue of what bothers our conscience. It may be nothing in the mind of God, but not everyone understands that. However, God is concerned that our fellowship with Him is not broken even by doing something in ignorance. Paul said: “I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean.” (Romans 14:14)

God is also concerned that we do not cause other to defile their conscience. That is, I am not to push my friend into playing a card game that I think is innocent if it is going to make her feel guilty. She may grow in her faith and knowledge of God to realize playing Old Maid is not a problem, but in the meantime . . .

It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. (Romans 14:21–23)

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Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding me that not everyone feels free in their faith. Those who do can harm those who do not by pushing them to do what they have qualms about doing. Give me sensitivity to this and help me understand how to respond when another Christian reacts as the Christians in Corinth did. We do not live by rules about food or anything else, but by faith in You, trusting You to clarify all the issues and concerns in life, not just my life, but the lives of others.

Levels of Maturity

When something stresses me and goes unresolved before morning, I usually ask God to speak about it through my devotions. Yesterday, a person made fun of something I was saying in seriousness. It offended me. I tried to rationalize by noting that the group of people we were in had not been serious about anything, so this was just another expression of their main attitude. However, we had just finished praying together, so it was unexpected.

God didn’t say anything directly about being offended, not retaliating, not holding a grudge or becoming bitter, probably because He knows that I know these things. He did speak about the different levels of maturity in the Body of Christ. Since these are my devotions, I need to consider what He says about my level of maturity, not that of the person whom I felt was rude to me.

Tozer says God’s life in Christians does not depend on our social status. All believers belong to His Body: Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, Greek and barbarian. We are all part of the Body of Christ, and He Christ is the Head.

That said, I’m reminded that none of us are in this exalted place because we are perfect, or even close to it. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. I cannot look down my nose at anyone.

However, when we receive the gift of eternal life and the Holy Spirit comes to live in our hearts, He motivates us to obey the teachings of the New Testament. As Tozer says, these teachings are so plain and so detailed that it is difficult to understand how they could appear different to persons living under different political systems or on different cultural levels. But, as he says, those differences, as real as they are, are not based on those differing circumstances. The reason lies in the imperfect state of believers, regardless of what is going on in their lives..

All of us need to grow. God’s goal is that we become like Jesus. Certainly, any Christians who make fun of people need to take another look at Him and realize He did not do that. The closest He came to mocking was directed against religious hypocrites, yet it was not so much the people under His glare, but their belief systems. And He was totally serious in what He said.

But what about me and my ‘hurt feelings’ over someone poking fun at me? Am I too sensitive? Was this a selfish or carnal response?

Before I got out of bed, Jesus reminded me that He was constantly mocked — I am in good company. He also reminded me that lack of love in someone else does not give me the right to stew about it in anger or even annoyance. How many times have I offended people? How many times have I been rude or thoughtless toward the feelings of others? How much patience has been shown me by most of them? How much patience has Christ shown with me when I have not loved (or forgiven) others whom I decided did not deserve my patience?

In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. (Hebrews 5:7–8)

With that, Tozer ends with the statement that I do not belong to myself but to God. He calls me to regard whatever happens to me as a plan to bring me to maturity, to be like Jesus — who did not retaliate against those who treated Him badly but trusted the One who judges righteously. Tozer asks, “Do I regard His temple, my body, as more mine than His?”

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Jesus, I’m hearing You say, “Do you regard your body, your emotions, or anything else as more mine than yours? Have I no right as your Savior to show you all areas of your life where you need to trust me? I will take care of immaturity in others, so let me take care of it in you.” Of course. Jesus is my Savior. Therefore, yes and amen.

Pushy Christians

Yesterday’s research discouraged me. I looked for reasons why Christians get pushy with sharing the Gospel. All I found were negative and exasperated expressions from those on the receiving end. Of course, no one likes being pushed. What discourages me is the depth of their hatred for Jesus Christ and the Bible because of those who believe in both.

I’m distressed that some of God’s people present His message in an offensive manner. The greatest good news of all time gets told in such a way that listeners are instantly angry and resentful. This should not happen. Jesus never intended that we turn people off. Components of the Gospel will upset those who do not acknowledge sin, but the problem should be with that part of the message, not the messengers.

Paul wrote much about being “gentle and respectful” as we speak to those without faith. Today’s reading is about the attitude of Christians as we do what God asks of us.

You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:1–7)

While I’m still trying to figure out some of the reasons for pushiness, there is good advice in this passage. It says I need to be first strengthened by grace. Grace is the undeserved favor of God. This strength produces humility. I am not a Christian because I’m better than anyone else. Instead, eternal life and forgiveness is a gift from God because He is gracious. I deserve His wrath and instead He gives mercy. When I talk to anyone, this is to be my attitude and even my strength. I cannot bring Jesus to others if I do not act like Him. If my “strength” is a rude mouth, it will turn people off.

The word “faithful” is also important. This is loyalty to Christ in that I obediently share Him with others as He commands, but it is also being a trustworthy person. When I interact with others, they should feel safe and respected, not irritated and edgy because I might say something hurtful.

The part about sharing in suffering is a downer, but reminds me that not everyone will want to hear about Jesus. Because He is so wonderful and because I want everyone to know Him and enjoy His grace, I feel sad when there is no interest and even antagonism toward Him. I suppose this could make some Christians pushy, not to change lives but to change that resistance and rejection — instead of suffering.

When Jesus was rejected, He didn’t push. Instead, He said, “Father, forgive them. They don’t know what they are doing.” This must be my attitude also. If someone isn’t interested in the Gospel, I’m to pray for their forgiveness and leave them alone. This is one of the “rules” implied in these verses. An athlete cannot get the prize if he breaks the rules of the race. I cannot expect receptive hearts if I go against the “rules” or the pattern given by Jesus Christ for offering grace to others.

Being a winsome Christian who is able to effectively share the good news is hard work that involves sacrifice. It means giving up my desire to win the debate and always be right. It means accepting rejection as Jesus did, not fighting people so they will accept me. This isn’t about me. It is about loving people. Biblical love means laying aside selfishness and personal desires for the eternal well-being of others.

It is also about trusting God with the results. When a farmer plants his seeds, he does not keep digging at them to see if they are growing or prodding them to make them grow. This is not his role. In the same way, my role is to share the wonderful news that Jesus died for sinners, was buried, and rose again that we might be forgiven and have eternal life.

Those who hear this news can make excuses about their sin, decide the Bible isn’t true, decide Jesus was not a real person, or simply say no thanks. This is their response and their choice. Heaven forbid that they make that choice only because I am rude, pushy, annoying, self-righteous and offensive. 

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Lord, I once resisted the truth of the Gospel. I had some antagonism toward those who tried to share it with me. Christians are not perfect, but even then, I knew they meant well. After the Holy Spirit opened my heart and mind to You, I understood their desire that I be saved. I also know some people will hate anything to do with You. I don’t want that to stop me from being faithful or obedient to share Jesus Christ with them. I just don’t want to be offensive when I do it.