God placed Moses, of slave inheritance, in the palace of his people’s oppressors. There he was “educated” in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action. We too need to take opportunities to grow, and to develop within our own culture.
We need to make use of opportunities, dream dreams, accept God’s commission, expect disappointments and don’t try to do it alone. (I Cor. 10).
We must begin with a commitment to love, maintain a concern for truth, be sensitive to relational implications of truth, don’t trust one truth as the whole truth.
Certainly do not close the door shut-shut! (I Cor. 13).
Christ asked how people who could judge the weather with a glance toward the sky could fail to interpret the meaning of the times in which they live (Luke 12:54-59). The signs had been given: The earth is on its way to court, to appear before the Judge of all. The time to settle is now, out of court, before sentence is passed. But still Jesus’ listeners tried to avoid the issue, and to speak of curiousities. Jesus in a recent disaster was no more guilty than they! “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:5).
More truth comes out of I Corinthians Chapter 10. Paul warns that our knowledge of truth is incomplete. He did commend the Corinthians for recognizing that an idol was “nothing at all in the world.” (8:4) But Paul pointed out the dangers of idolatry. Did a person identified with Jesus think it was right, by participating, to link himself with all that the culture associates with idol feasts? In idolatry there are temptations common to all men: Christians are not exempt (10:13).
While the idols themselves are “nothing at all in the world,” idolatry has always been used by demonic powers, which are real. Can a Christian, who shares in communion and drinks “the cup of the Lord” go to an idolatrous feast and “drink... the cup of demons too?” (10:21).
Truly we must confess that Paul ruled that the “go to idol feasts” party was wrong! Their claim of a grasp of Christian doctrine was foolish, for they justified their actions on only part of the truth.
Finally Paul shifted focus to deal with the second issue: Eating meat that may have been purchased at a temple meat market. Paul points out that this was not the same as participating in a festive and idolatrous party which had been dedicated to some pagan god or goddess. If the host at a private dinner party made an issue of the meat having been offered first to an idol, then, for the sake of his conscience, the Christian should not eat. But otherwise, Christians shouldn’t make an issue of it. Just remember, Paul advised, that while the food in itself is morally neutral, in eating and in drinking, and in whatever we do, we are to seek God’s glory, and to be sensitive to what will lead to the salvation of the lost, and to the benefit of our brothers and sisters.
There are several lessons for us in Paul’s handling of this early doctrinal dispute.
1. Begin with a commitment to love.
2. Maintain a concern for truth.
3. Be sensitive to the relational implications of truth.
4. Don’t treat one truth as the whole truth.
ARE PEOPLE PAWNS? The way in which Paul dealt with error in Corinth was beautiful for its sensitivity and love. Paul even commended those who were wrong, for grasping those truths they had understood! Paul also commended them for their “strong” conscience. How wonderful that these men and women were able to cast off the attitude of a lifetime and, on the basis of God’s Word as they understood it, find freedom from idolatrous bondage and fear. Anyone who is aware of the difficulties pagan people have with release from such bondage would commend these people too!
So, rather than beginning by saying to the “We can eat” party, “You’re wrong,” Paul began by commending and affirming them.
In the rest of the discussion Paul kept the focus on relational, and encouraged all the Corinthians to act for the benefit of their brothers and sisters. Paul let them know he expected as much; that he really believed they cared. Paul did point out that because of two factors (two truths) the one party had overlooked, they were wrong. But at the same time Paul kept his appeal focused on both truth and love.
There is something about any win/lose game that can make for frustration and even humilation. Eric Berne, in “Games People Play (Dell), suggests that we all play games with each other; we all try to win. We manipulate other people to make them serve our ends. The desire to “win,” to feel ourselves better than others, or to gain a benefit at someone else’s expense is all a part of the distortion that sin has stamped on the human personality. It’s natural to play such interpersonal games, even for the believer. But it is totally contrary to the way of life of a disciple.
In probing the inner motives of men, Jesus probes our lives too. He helps us discover hidden patterns in our lives that might hold us back from full experience of the disciple’s abundant life.
How did Paul find the freedom to deal with error so gently? How was he able to commend those who were wrong, and to actually affirm their right to be wrong? The answer comes when we realize that Paul operated with a basic premise — a premise that needs to be ours as we live with other Christians. You see, Paul expected the Corinthians to grow. He did not insist that everyone be doctrinally correct now. Paul knew that in the context of a loving family, in which even the erring brother is worthy of affirmation and concern, spiritual and personal growth will take place. As is opened up to the Spirit of God, He will lead the people of God into all truth.
This premise helps you and me to relate those who differ doctrinally today. Our brothers —and we too! —are young. We learn. At best, our grasp of truth is incomplete. But if we keep on loving one another, God will bring us by His transforming power to a place where we both have a more complete knowledge of God’s wonderful truth.
if we just don’t close the door shut!
Lonza Seadrow
Tifton
