For the Love of God...

On 1 Corinthians 8:1-7, with Deuteronomy 7:6-9 and Psalm 103

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1

“An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.” – John Wesley

This section of 1 Corinthians 8 expands on Christian action in community, specifically with respect to purchasing in the public market  food that may have been sacrificed to idols.

The argument Paul makes is that WE know that there is one God only (read verse 5 and 6) therefore eating meat that has been sacrificed, say, to the flying spaghetti monster, doesn’t matter, because if there is no FSM, then it makes no difference if meat has been sacrificed to it.

But not everyone has this knowledge – some get stuck on the notion that it would be an offense to God to eat something that’s been sacrificed to something else – and it is important that we who have knowledge not lord it over others. People with expanded knowledge should take care that they don’t exhibit superiority over others.

I’m part of a clergy discussion board on FB. Not too long ago a new pastor asked for advice about how to handle a situation where a church member wanted their baby dedicated – something The UMC does not do; in The UMC we baptize instead of “dedicate”. (please email me if you have a question about The UMC and baptism). Another clergyman replied a little curtly: “This question comes up all the time. Shouldn’t our clergy be just slightly better informed?”

His response had a sharp edge.
I would not be comfortable asking him a question.

I replied to his response that when people ask, we should answer, and that I would encourage people to ask, rather than discourage them from asking. Yes, I can wish that the question didn’t come up because our clergy had all their stuff together, but I’m not going to shame the one who asks; I’m going to help the one who asks.

Knowledge puffs up; love builds up.
An ounce of love is worth a pound of knowledge.

I hear other pastors lately, saying their congregations are on edge, especially with respect to politics in the pulpit. That’s one of the reasons I ask for your prayers, by the way – for the personal discretion and sensitivity to separate my personal views where they may twist my theological interpretation, and for grace if and when I cross a line.

We live in interesting times. The gospel – Jesus himself – is decidedly political. Speaking truth to power, teaching a value system and a practice for interaction with people and powers. These are things that God is interested in.

And people do not want their toes to be stepped on. So much so that 1) they get offended, 2) they may retaliate, 3) they may seek to make toe-stepping-on illegal, but 4) they may be blind to the toes that are under their own feet.

All of this can be summed up in the attitude I am better than you, I am more than you, my opinion is worth more than yours. And that’s wrong, and that’s not up-building, and that’s not conducive to good relationships, and that’s not how I believe a disciple should live.

So in time of political sensitivity, how do disciples toe the line of advocating personal stance while respecting the stance of another? What’s brother John say?

“Though we cannot think alike, may we not love like? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt we may. Herein all the children of God may unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.” John Welsey

Ask what is beneficial to our community?
And how can we work things out?

Consider your surroundings,
consider the Other in your community.

“But I have rights.”
Yes, you do. Be courteous anyway. Be respectful.

Seek the good of many, that they may be saved. (1 Cor 10:33)

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:3-4

Consider also the love of God.
We read from Psalm 103 at the beginning of the service, and I’d like you to take your hymnals out again, and turn to pages 824-825. How is God’s love described in this Psalm? Take a few minutes, scribble, chat.

Use these as models and guides.

The Lord is merciful and gracious.

Slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love.

Works for justice and advocacy.

Compassionate. Forgiving.

Also see the last verse of our 1 Corinthians reading, “not everyone has this knowledge.”
What does Psalm 103 say about that? (verse 7: the Lord makes God’s ways known to Israel)

The love of a disciple includes these things. Mercy, grace, patience, love, justice, compassion, forgiveness, humility. May they be hallmarks in our lives of love and service.

Hymn insert: All who love and serve your city.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Valentines’ Day. Next week: Jeremiah 1-11.