Daily Bible Reading May 14th, 2020 1 Corinthians 10:14—11:1 (GNT)

God’s Life-Giving Word of Faith

Introduction

1 Corinthians 10:14—11:1: In today’s reading Paul warns the Corinthians not to worship idols and not to partake of what has been sacrificed on pagan altars. He concludes by admonishing the believers to avoid doing things that might offend new followers of Christ, to do everything for God’s glory, and to be imitators of Christ.

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31

Whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God’s glory.

Today's Reading

14So then, my dear friends, keep away from the worship of idols. 15I speak to you as sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup we use in the Lord's Supper and for which we give thanks to God: when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing in the body of Christ. 17Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel; those who eat what is offered in sacrifice share in the altar's service to God. 19Do I imply, then, that an idol or the food offered to it really amounts to anything? 20 No! What I am saying is that what is sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21You cannot drink from the Lord's cup and also from the cup of demons; you cannot eat at the Lord's table and also at the table of demons. 22 Or do we want to make the Lord jealous? Do we think that we are stronger than he?

23 “We are allowed to do anything,” so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. “We are allowed to do anything”—but not everything is helpful. 24None of you should be looking out for your own interests, but for the interests of others.

25You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 26 For, as the scripture says, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.”

27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 28But if someone tells you, “This food was offered to idols,” then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake— 29that is, not your own conscience, but the other person's conscience.

“Well, then,” someone asks, “why should my freedom to act be limited by another person's conscience? 30If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?”

31Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. 32Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. 33Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.

1 Imitate me, then, just as I imitate Christ.

Reflect

In verses 14-17, Paul makes reference to the Lord’s Supper. What is your understanding of what it means, as the body of Christ, to “share the same loaf”? Reread verses 18-21. Paul warns that food and drink sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons and not to God. Why does he give this warning? Today’s reading concludes with Paul describing himself as one who has learned to live from Christ’s example. What do you think it means to “imitate Christ” (11:1)?

Pray

Lord Jesus, because your body was broken and your blood poured out as a sacrifice to forgive our sins, all of us, though many, are one body. May I live each day according to your teachings and give glory and honor to God in all I say and do. Amen.

Prayer Concern

New converts and those seeking to become followers of Christ