Food

Ever noticed there are many things we don’t agree on as Christians
The list is endless if you ask me
The one which I still do not understand why we still are not in agreement over is food
Maybe becoz of my view of the two testaments
I lean toward the view that the coming of Jesus came with a new covenant and laws for me
Hence my view on this issue
Paul must have had it tough with the believers in the churches
Just read his letters to them
At some point he actually sounds very agitated
Nonetheless, he still gave them guidelines on their issues
I’ll ramble on what I’ve covered so far
Oblige me, please
“But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumbling block to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.” 1 Corinthians 8:8-13
It’s all about liberty for those who have the knowledge
I’ll assume most of us have the basic knowledge over food laws and the Bible
Now the liberty Paul talks of is for those who are stronger in the faith
Yes, the stronger ones
The liberty to eat comes when we have knowledge and understanding
But all the same he still gives guidelines on how we’re to go about it
We don’t live in a vacuum and so our actions have impact
Here he’s talking of the person who sees us eating meat offered to idols
He says it’s ok to eat it as really it’s being offered to a non-existant god so at the end of the day it has no effect
BUT
When someone believes that as it’s offered to idols it has an effect because of their faith and understanding. DO NOT EAT
Quite simple really
I extend this to all food and life in general
We live also for our brothers
We ARE our brother’s keeper
In chapter 10 of the same letter, he goes on to say don’t eat food offred to idols
Now here the context is different
It’s the actual partaking in the ritual that he say we should not indulge in
Verse 15 should be taken note of….he speaks as to wise men
He also says “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”
I may seem to be going round in circles but at the end of the day it’s quite simple really
Do all to the glory of God.