Daily Devotions and Bible Readings
1 Corinthians 8–What You Don’t Know
What you don’t know can sometimes cause you and others great pain. Last Sunday evening my wife and I returned home from a small group Bible study to discover a Copperhead snake just inside the gate entrance to the back yard. We both know that Copperheads are poisonous snakes. We did not know the snake was in the center of our chosen path. Fortunately, my wife looked down as she started to open the gate and saw the snake. What we did not know could have resulted in a snake bite to one who knew snakes are poisonous.
Paul’s point in 1 Corinthians 8, is that if we are not careful, even Biblical knowledge and understanding can result in a prideful attitude and approach to life that causes our brothers and sisters to stumble in their faith. I am reminded of Jesus words to the inquiring folks in Matthew 22:38-39, the second greatest commandment is to love others as you love yourself. The Corinthian passage helps us to understand the obligation in Christian brotherhood of maintaining a sensitive spirit toward others concerning our actions. In verse 13, Paul expresses the depth of commitment necessary to demonstrate a genuine love and concern for fellow believers. He says he will never eat meat again if it is causes his brother to stumble. This amounts to forgoing his own pleasure for the benefit of someone else.
Prayer Challenge:
The challenge for us in response to this word is one that must be considered in the prayer closet. Have we, in some way, become arrogant in our knowledge so that we are not sensitive to the way our actions may be affecting others? As we enter the prayer closet in humility today, let us ask the Lord if such an attitude has slipped into our daily walk. If such a way is identified, let us be quick to confess it and seek the gift of repentance and ask the Lord for a more sensitive spirit.
Ministry Challenge:
Think and pray for someone who is a member of your Life Group who was absent yesterday. Perhaps they were on vacation or had to miss your time of Bible study and fellowship. A touch from you either by phone call, a card, or personal visit to let them know you care about them and missed them this week will be an effort well spent.
Mission Challenge:
As you begin your week, be sure to look over your prospect list and ask the Lord to help you with the list in two ways.
1. Ask the Lord to give you opportunity to make a special effort in inviting someone on your list to Life Groups this week.
2. Ask the Lord to help you identify someone who needs to be added to your list.
Follow up this activity with a constant sensitiveness to those with whom you cross paths this week. Pray for the evangelistic thrust of our Vacation Bible School program which is continuing this evening.
Reflection
What did God say to me from this Scripture reading, devotional, and or prayer time?
What did I say to God?
