Charity Edifies – 1 Corinthians 8
‘Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.’ — 1 Corinthians 8:1
One of the greatest problems amongst Christians is not a lack of knowledge but a lack of love. Many of the Corinthians knew that idols are nothing and that there is only one God. This knowledge was good to have. Yet, without love, they were just puffed up in pride and used their knowledge to damage the conscience of those who did not have the same knowledge.
What a convicting chapter this is because so often we make the same mistakes. We learn something and, instead of filling us with love, it puffs us up in pride (v.1). Actually, we probably do not know as much as we think we do (v.2). What we should be known for most is our love of God not our knowledge about God (v.3).
We need to consider those who maybe feel differently than we do on certain issues, even if they are technically wrong or immature in their understanding (v.7). We need to make sure that the exercising of our liberties does not put a stumblingblock in the way of others (v.9-11). To sin against another Christian in this way is to sin against Christ (v.12).
So we should be prepared to drastically limit our liberties in order to not offend one of our brothers (v.13). That is real love and that is what is needed amongst Christians.
Far too often, we are focus on what we want, what is important to us, and what we know and believe. Instead, we should be considering what others want, what is important to them, how our actions affect them and how we can build them up in love.