Loving People

1 Corinthians 8 - Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.


4 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.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 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.


7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.


9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.

Wow, this message was amazing! It really challenged me to rethink and actually take to heart the full intent of love and care for others expressed in the passage above. Where have I allowed my knowledge to puff up and be a detriment to my brothers and sisters rather than an encouragement? Where has my lack of love and genuine concern for others gotten a hold of me? I remember saying things like what Paul quotes above and reasoning it out, yet only with myself in mind. I have such a need for God to help me discover where I fail to consider my actions in relation to those around me. Paul speaks of food sacrificed to idols here, but he could easily have been talking about our freedom to drink or something else as well. I remember a time when I did not understand the voluntary abstinence from alcohol that some people had chosen. I would mentally think of the same kinds of arguments that these knowledgeable Corinthians gave. But there is something so much greater they were missing - it was God's love. It's a revealing question to ask yourself whether you could in all honesty say, like Paul, that "if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall." I want God to grow my heart more, to beat out of me this perpetual selfishness and replace it with a desire to truly love the people He puts in my life. Find out how I can best serve them, encourage them, edify them and cherish them like the Father does. Like Francis mentioned, our faith is more than having the right knowledge or theology. It's living it out and becoming more  like the Christ whom we follow and love. Studying this passage and really believing it means that our lives actually come to reflect it. I feel humbled by these words of Scripture because I see how vastly different my life and own heart are compared to it. Something that struck me were the words, "for whom Christ died," referring to a fellow brother or sister. If I really had that perspective in mind when I made decisions, I believe my choices and behaviors would be more honorable to the Lord. But I find that I don't often think that way. Sure, theologically or mentally I understand that truth, but to apply it and integrate it to my day-to-day living would greatly transform it. I would consider how my actions affect the well-being of fellow believers, whether it would draw them closer to God or lead them astray.

His mention of Romans 9 also hit me hard. ¹ I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying, my conscience confirms it through the Holy Spirit— ² I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. ³ For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people. I feel convicted of the usual state of my heart. I am not filled with an overwhelming sense of sorrow or unending anguish for nonbelievers. Perhaps the closest to that has been my softening heart and compassion for my sister who seems so ready to have Jesus forgive her sins and put her faith in Him. But this burning and deep fear for others' eternal condition is not the long-standing character of my heart. I care for a while, but then it slowly dwindles or fades. Then I care again. It fades. I need God's ferocious concern and passion for people to know Him. Like Francis recounting the story of his grandma on her deathbed. That was truly incredible. I want to have that fire and immediacy of faith that passionately pleads with God to intervene and save. I know I am lacking in this when I pray for my family. I need God's grace so much. I need His love. 1 Corinthians 13  ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. ⁹ This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. ¹⁰ This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. ¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - 1 John 4

Francis' reference to this passage was also illuminating. People will actually get a glimpse of God and His amazing love when His people are loving each other as they should. The invisible can indeed be made visible among us. What a gift and blessing to others when we surrender to Jesus in this way!

A final impression that remains with me is his emphasis on verse 3 in the very first passage, But whoever loves God is known by God. We can continue to accumulate knowledge about God, facts and teachings about God, but at the end of the day that won't matter. And a part of that scares me because I know how easy it is for me to retreat to the realm of philosophical, theological, conceptual. But Jesus is alive, the Spirit is at work and the Father is ever-present, listening to my prayers and conversations with Him. There is no amount of knowledge I can obtain that will bring me closer to God or will build and nurture the intimacy that my soul craves and my spirit thirsts for. The mind is so very limited in this regard. It is why God wants our HEARTS. It is here that love can be ignited and maintained. The connection to Galatians 4 is also insightful,  ⁹ But now that you know God—or rather are known by God— It is not knowing God, but God knowing us that seems to make all the difference. The way Francis talked about his relationship with God and his interactions with people was quite inspiring. I could tell how much he believes and trusts in the Lord. He is walking out his faith in humility and tremendous love. He's honest about his own struggles and hopeful about his continued perseverance in being conformed to the likeness of Christ. It motivates me to get honest with God, to lay myself bare before Him so that I can truly be transformed into the woman He has predestined me to be. This message is such a great reminder of the power that authentic love has in the lives of people. Man, do I have so much more to grow in. But praise be to God, who is so faithful and gracious, and who delights in speaking to His children as they come to Him broken and humble, and with hearts overflowing with love.

Leader as Philosopher

A discerning leader is aware of what drives them to do things. They have developed some kind of philosophy that shapes their actions, thinking and way of life. Spiritual leaders do not conduct themselves like those of the world do. This is because they study the life and ministry of Jesus to determine what principles and values should influence their leadership style. Unlike so many leaders today, with the go-get-it attitude, Christian leaders have been called by God to act differently by applying filters to their decision-making. Perhaps you could follow one particular course of action, but a good leader stops to think, “How will this affect my people and the others with whom I lead?” It seems obvious that leaders should take into account the lives of others, but sadly that is often not the case. We must not just read and learn about how to follow Jesus and lead his people; we must put it into practice.

I like that philosopher means, “lover of wisdom” and not simply “lover of knowledge.” We had previously learned about leader as first grader, with the inherent thirst for and delight in knowledge for knowledge’s sake. But there is something more to wisdom. It is applied, or as Brian put it, practical knowledge. There is a putting two and two together with wisdom. Knowledge is fact and information, but there is a power that comes with having and using wisdom. I feel like this is one of the great treasures of a believer and something that I long to have abundantly increase as I continue to grow in my relationship with Jesus. Having your mind opened by God and your eyes unveiled to the realities and intricacies of life is incredible. And it is something that I believe God does for a believer (and especially a leader) purposefully. Philosophers are more than first-graders in that they do not simply read the works of others, but they critically contemplate and consider them, with an ultimate motive of synthesizing their own philosophy. To me, they are more active thinkers, going beyond mere voracious knowledge consumption to relating what they learn. As Christian philosophers, we get to apply the Word to our situations, relying on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit to help us use what we’ve learned for the good of those we lead and encounter in our lives.

The whole discussion about EQ was really insightful. You don’t hear intelligence talked about in this way usually. At least I haven’t, being a recent natural science scholar. It makes me think of how upside down this world’s (and my own) perception of intellect has been. I’m the kind of person who brushes my emotions aside and probably ends up looking like the characteristic cold and distant philosopher. I’ve discovered, by God’s grace however, the tremendous importance of building one’s emotional intelligence. My relationships with friends and family have shown me the deficit I often had in this regard, thankfully until relatively recently. It was coming to know Jesus, though, that planted those seeds of sensitivity that later I would see grow into genuine concern for others. It is still a struggle for me to maintain emphasis on EQ rather than IQ, perhaps because of my #5 personality type and just the nature of how I was brought up. Being a leader in the Walk reinforces this necessary emphasis because middle schoolers crave relationship and emotional bonds, not savvy arguments and impressive words.

I found the 4 stages of EQ development helpful in identifying where I am at. I believe that I am able to perceive/sense emotion (in myself and others) and even reason through it. However, I encounter a block when it comes to understanding emotion and why it’s happening. This makes it very difficult to manage emotion and the dynamics it creates in human relations. My relationship with my fiancé is probably the best example, where I find myself feeling a certain way (ie: upset) and not entirely knowing why.

The knowledge square made a lot of sense to me by categorizing it. This brought to the surface the gifts that community, confession and prayer are. God has provided a way for his followers and his leaders to healthily deal with issues such as one’s blind spots and facades. It challenges me to seriously assess my own pretenses and ignorance, seeking the face of God to expose me and mold me for the better. Of the ways to grow in EQ I feel that it will be most difficult for me to establish mechanisms of feedback. The reason being is I’m such a private person and I don’t take criticism very well. Living in what was supposed to be “community” has definitely demonstrated this personality flaw. Strangely, I have a longing for precisely that – a network of close people whom I trust that can call me out in love. I know the Spirit is our counselor and convict-er, but I also see the immense value in community as a God-enabled and God-supported means by which one another is spiritually edified and disciplined.

Leader as Inspirator

I really appreciated this image of leadership because I am drawn to words, whether written or spoken, and the influential power they have to impact people’s lives. Words are the means by which ideologies and worldviews are expressed. This is significant because the way we choose to act and live, in part, springs forth from the way we interpret reality, make sense of the world and most importantly, understand the living God. As spiritual leaders we are entrusted with the very Word of God and have been called to speak with words that proclaim truth in love. As such, our words should sometimes cut, challenge and convict. However, they should equally serve to encourage and inspire the people we lead.

One of my lifelong struggles will doubtlessly be to tame my tongue and use it for God’s purposes, especially as an emerging leader in His church. I am usually the type of person who focuses on the negative rather than the positive. I often first see the flaws in a thing or person and must make a conscious effort to acknowledge the good, the hopeful, the inspiring and potential. So this lesson has been particularly relevant to me and my obvious room for growth in this area of leadership.

As leaders we should not overlook the great gift and responsibility that our words are in the kingdom. It is through them that we articulate the gospel to an unbeliever and rally a team of devoted followers to lay their whole lives down for Christ’s sake. I love how God has made us to be imitators of Him in this way – breathing life into others just as He first breathed life into Adam. I want to know more of this mystery, where the Spirit moves through a people and gives them renewed hope and passion for the mission to which they have been called. I want to develop more in this area for the sake of the kids I lead and the people I serve alongside in the Walk. It can sometimes appear like we are in it alone, with little hope of more people rising up as youth leaders. But it is in those precise moments that inspiration among the team is essential.

I like the idea of a leader as a reminder-er of his or her people, simply offering them an expanded perspective in which to interpret life and telling them essentially what they already know. They already know that Jesus is faithful and at work. They already know the unparalleled love God has for the youth in this city. He will not leave the fields empty of harvesters. Sometimes the leader, the inspirator, must call this truth out in the hearts of their people so as to strengthen faith and promote perseverance. It is also an encouragement in the sense that they actually possess what it takes to lead well, the Holy Spirit within them. Like Paul reminds the Romans, they have been equipped with everything they need. They do not need him and our own ministries do not at the end of the day require us. Our small groups of leaders have definitely gained a great deal from biblical guidance and instruction, but what will truly benefit them is the kind of inspirational encouragement that reminds them of who they are in Christ and releases them as surrendered agents of God’s kingdom. With or without us.

I have been blessed with a team that does not become easily pessimistic or de-inspired. They have a trust in God that carries them through any task and provides more than enough motivation to serve kids however they can. The lessons learned here, though, will undoubtedly apply in the future as the ministry grows and the challenges become greater. The need for routine inspiration will be even more important.

This image of leadership has shown me that I really do need to rekindle the kind of self-inspiration I once knew and enjoyed. I’m seeing more and more the connection between memory – the remembering of truths, of past experiences, of the Scriptures – and the internal sense of peace and joy that comes from this recollection that things have and will work out even in the gloomiest of circumstances. Having this fire maintained inside will enable successful triangulation in the future, where God is purposefully invited into a situation between you and another person, and where inspiration can hopefully result.

I really liked the breakdown given at the end of class for equipping, inspiring and supporting roles of leaders. I agree that we can often excel in equipping and supporting, but tend to slack or underestimate the value of periodic inspiration. The example of Churchill’s speech connects well to its significance in stirring the hearts and spirit of a people. They can be given the tools to complete a mission and the emotional support, but what frequently links the two together is the inspired mindset and reasoning that what we are doing is indeed changing the world for the better through the power of Jesus Christ.

The God who draws us near to Him and to each other

So my sister may actually come to live with me in Tampa! I can't believe how just yesterday she called me in tears, despairing about how her life was once again falling apart, but today there is hope and excitement for the possibility of a completely new and different life. I am truly amazed at how magnificently God unfolds the events in our lives. I did not know that the painfully long conversation which ended with a glimmer of hope yesterday would transform into something so wonderful and optimistic tonight. God is incredible. He is 1000x more good than I would give Him credit for. I remember throwing out the idea for her to come live down here with me and my heart just rising up inside, full of hopeful possibility. And her answer of, "I don't know... I wouldn't want to be a burden for you." I couldn't stop thinking about and recognizing just how spiritual our conversation was. Her yearnings, fears, doubts, questions. They all surfaced. I was blown away by her eager openness, vulnerability, honesty and humility. Her longing to be loved and cared for, to be wrapped in protective arms and reassured that everything would be okay. I knew she was really asking for God to fill that hole of emptiness inside. To take away her pain, despair, loneliness and fear. I am glad that He opened this door for me to share Jesus with her again. It is so interesting how God answers prayers, especially when you do not expect it. I had prayed the other night for my older brother, crying about what has happened to him recently, and praying for God to somehow bring my family closer to me... specifically in the sense that they become closer to my heart. I often struggle with truly loving and caring for people from my heart. I know that it is there that God must repeatedly fill me up with His love and compassion. I think it is the #5 in me, the detaching and coping un-emotional side. But something woke up in me yesterday and again tonight. It's like I have renewed feelilng there... the kind that sensitively feels the pain of others and takes great concern over them. I rejoice over the fact that he has brought us closer together even as I grieve over the way it has had to come. I'm thrilled at the willingness she has to move here and trust that things will work out somehow. I feel as though God is preparing us for something new and amazing, and I cannot wait to see what it will all look like. I'm glad for the opportunity to have her attend Jesus Encounter at the end of the month and am awed even now at what could transpire there. God is awesome! He has made a wonderful little city here, with a church and community that I feel would embrace my broken-hearted sister and wrap her in the arms of love she so desperately desires. My prayer is that Jesus himself would profoundly touch her heart and open it to saving faith through Him. I am reminded of my own long journey and it gives me sustained hope for her as well. She is a beautiful and precious gift to me, and I truly praise God for her. Lord, would you continue to give me the right words to speak and the softened heart to love. Would your Spirit rest upon me and fill me up to do your will. May your kingdom come and expand, as you gently call your lost sheep home and warmly embrace each prodigal son that returns to You. Praise and glory be to your name forever and ever. Amen.

"No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day." - John 6:44

This makes me want to learn the art of spoken word. it's where power + passion + Truth collide