READING: Psalms 105-106, 1 Corinthians 8
I spend my life training people. I believe education and equipping matter, so I look forward to helping people prepare for ministry. In fact, one of our basic goals is to help students complete their requirements to earn a degree—that, to some extent, is evidence of their study. On the other hand, I’m often reminded that seldom do our graduates—or we, for that matter—know all we think we know.
As Paul wrote to the Corinthians about rightly exercising their liberty in Christ, he reminded them that their knowledge helped them to understand the powerlessness of idols to whom food was sacrificed. At the same time, though, he knew that love requires believers to forego their liberties for weaker brothers who may not yet have that same knowledge. Thus, knowledge alone without love puffs up people, but “love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1). Love sacrifices for the good of others.
Paul also reminded the Corinthians, who apparently struggled with pride, that they didn’t know all they think they know; instead, “those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know” (1 Cor 8:2). Paul wanted the man who thinks he knows much to recognize that he doesn’t know nearly what he thinks he knows if love is absent. Knowledge is incomplete at best (1 Cor 13:8-10), and knowledge without love can lead to arrogance. What matters most is that God knows us and loves us.
PRAYER: “God, I want to know You and Your love.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 107-109, 1 Corinthians 9
