CONSCIENCE

          Back again for more Daily Bread? It’s great to have you here! We’re resuming our study of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians and he’s about to give the Corinthians a comparison to ponder.

In addition, brethren, I want you to know how all our fathers were under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea, and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

Paul is giving us an example here, saying,

Look at our ancestors.

They were under the protection of God,

under the cloud and through the Red Sea,

and even they had problems.

As the Corinthians boasted earlier about being of Paul and of Apollos and of Peter, Paul points out that the children of Israel were all of Moses and look what happened to them, so don’t forget.

They all ate the same spiritual food,

and they all drank the same spiritual drink:

for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them:

and that Rock was Christ.

But God was not well pleased with many of them:

and they were destroyed in the wilderness.

Now, these things became our examples,

with the purpose of teaching us

that we shouldn’t desire evil things, as they did.

Neither should you be ye idolaters,

as some of them were; as it is written,

The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

Exodus 32:6

And let us not commit fornication, as some of them did,

and in one day twenty three thousand were destroyed.

Let us not tempt Christ, as some of them did,

and were destroyed of serpents.

Numbers 21:6

Nor should you complain, as some of them also complained,

and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Numbers 16:32

Now all these things happened to them for examples:

and they are written for our instruction,

upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Therefore let him that thinks he stands

be careful or else he may fall.

but God is faithful,

who will not permit you to be tempted above what you are able to handle;

but He will also make a way to escape the temptation,

so you may be able to endure it.

          This is a very important thing to remember. Many people like to blame God for many things that happen to them, not only temptation. But look at the TRUTH. He always gives you the choice to say no to temptation. As for other things that people blame on God, there are many things that aren’t meant for us to understand. If you read the book of Job, you’ll find that a lot of things happened that Job could have asked, Why did God let this happen? And indeed, he did ask. But never did he get angry with God Himself, or blame God. He didn’t like the circumstances he was in, but he always maintained his Faith and Love for God. An important lesson.

So, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

If you’re wise you’ll think over what I say.

The cup of blessing which we bless,

is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?

The bread which we break,

is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

For we being many are one bread, and one body:

for we are all partakers of that one bread.

aren’t they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?

What am I saying then?

That there is any such thing as an idol,

they sacrifice to devils, and not to God:

and I want you not to fellowship with devils.

You can’t drink the cup of the Lord,

and the cup of devils:

you can’t be partakers of the Lord's table,

and of the table of devils.

Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?

Are we stronger than He?

All things are lawful for me,

but all things are not helpful:

all things are lawful for me,

but all things do not strengthen me in Christ.

Let no man be selfish,

but let every man hope for another's well being.

Whatever is sold in the market, that eat,

asking no question for conscience sake:

For the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.

          Paul is going over what he said before about eating food offered to idols, only this time with a little different detail. Always keep in mind that what you believe, you receive. If you believe that it’s bad to eat something that is offered to someone else’s idol that you know doesn’t exist, then if you eat, you’ve done wrong. But if you believe that no matter what you eat, it comes from God, then you’ve done no wrong, but the key is your belief. If you have the slightest hint of uncertainty, you best not eat it. To quote a famous grasshopper named Jiminy Cricket, let your conscience be your guide.

If you’re invited to a feast by unbelievers,

and you wish to attend; whatever is set before you, eat,

asking no question for conscience sake.

But if any man says to you,

This is offered in sacrifice to idols,

eat not for his sake that showed it,

and for conscience sake:

for the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof:

I’m not talking about your own conscience, but of the other:

for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

For if I by Grace be a partaker,

why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

So, whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do,

do all to give glory to God.

Don’t offend anyone, neither the Jewish, nor the Gentiles,

nor the church of God,

just as I adapt to all men in all things,

not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many,

so that they may be saved.