Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

1 Corinthians 8:1-8

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge... So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one... yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Can we eat food that has been sacrificed to idols? Paul explained the answer in these scriptures. There are two parts to this:

Firstly, in terms of knowledge and theory, as long as we eat with faith, there is nothing that can harm our body. As long as we ask in the name of Jesus Christ, and the blood of Jesus cleanses the food, and the powers of darkness and idols will lose its effect. Paul also said here that "an idol is nothing at all in the world." The God that we believe in is more powerful than any other false gods. All things belong to Him, including us. As such, we can eat whatever we want. Under the authority of Jesus Christ, there is nothing that cannot be clean. Hence in knowledge and theory, we have can eat anything.

Secondly, based on the principle of love, we have to think twice before we act. Since ancient times, there has been an understanding that when we eat with someone, it represents fellowship and association. As such, back in those days when you eat food that has been sacrificed to others, even though you may think the food is cleansed, there are people in society who may think that you are associated with the idol. Those brothers and sisters whose conscience is weak may think that it is alright to worship Jesus and worship idols at the same time. Therefore, because of love, we should choose not to eat the food that has been sacrificed to idols. However, if we eat the food by accident, we do not have to worry, because it says here: "we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do". In the blood of Christ, the powers of darkness have been broken. Are we willing to give up our rights, and choose not to eat food that has been sacrificed to idols so that we may bring glory to Christ?

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, we thank you for your word clearly teaches us that in every situation, we can be a glorious witness for you. Especially in the area of food sacrificed to idols, help us understand the principle of love, so that we may choose not to eat food sacrificed to idols of food, and be a witness to our family and friends. We thank you and pray in the victorious name of Jesus, Amen!