OUR FATHER WHO LOVES US AND WANTS US ALL TO COME TO THE K OWLEDGE IF HIM

1 Corinthians chapter 10 verses 23 - 33;

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.

25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

In this passage, the Apostle Paul delved deeper into the clarification of the matter of whether Christians should eat food offered to idols.

The principles he delineated establish that food offered to idols was harmless to believers and as such, they could eat anything bought at the market or anything put in front of them when they are guests in someone's home.

However,  whether a believer should eat such food depended on the effect that doing so would have on those who offered the food or were observers.

If food sacrificed to idols was offered as a test to a believer, the believer could decline the offer so as to make clear that the believer is not unaware of the implications of eating such food hold for the person offering and this because Paul also established the precept that the primary calculus believers should compute when handling ceremonial matters or matters of conscience is that the well-being of others should be placed ahead of themselves.

Amen.

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