The Tupelo journal., 1903-02-13
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lessor In the Internnsdonai Series
for February 15, characterization
SeIf-Contr0l.
THE LESSON TEXT

| God but one.
s. For though there be that are called
lGods, whether in HEAVIER or in earth (as
there be gods many and lords many,
6. But to us there is but one God, the Fa-
Their, of whom are all things, and we in Him.;
and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are
all things, and we by Him.
Z. Howbeit there is not in every man that
knowledge: for some with conscience of
the idol unto this hour eat il as a thing Of
fered unto an idol; and their conscience
being weak is defled.
s. But meat commendeth us not to God;
for neither, If we eat, are we the better;
neither, If we eat not, are We the worse.
y. But take heed lest by any means thislib-
erty of yours become a stumbling block to
them that are weak.
10. For if any man see thee which hast
knowledge sit at meat in the IDOLS temple,
shall not the conscience of him which is
weak be emboldened to eat those things
which are offered to idols;
II. And through thy knowledge shall the
weak brother perish, for whom Christ 6ied?
II. But when We sin SO against the breth-
rem, and wound their weak conscience, ye
sin aginst Christ.
Is. Wherefore, if meat make my brother
to offend, / will eat no flesh while the world
standeth, lest / make my brother to Of
fend.
GOLDEN TEXT. - Let us therefore
follow after the things which make
for peace.-ROm. 14;10.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
knowledge and love............1 Cor. S;l-3.
The liberty Of acknowledgement Cor. S:4-6
The self-denial OF love.,......... Cor. S:7-13.
TIME.-Spring of A. d. 81.
PLACE.-Ephesus.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Recall from the study of a week ago
what sort of a city Corinth was, and
| think of the many questions of practi-
cal every day conduct that would be
apt to trouble a handful of Christians
living in the midst of such a great pa
ban city. AS a matter of fact this letter
of Paul to the Christians in Corinth
was a reply to a letter from them in
which they had told him of their diff
culties and asked his counsel. One of
the questions they askedhim was what
to do about eating meat that had been
offered before idols. The markets
were full of it, for the priests could
eat only a part, and soldthe rest. Some
held that it was wrong to eat it, for
it seemed to them like taking part in
heather worship, and others held that
it made no difference enc way or the
other. Those who did not eat looked
down upon those who ate for indulg-
ing in what they considered questiona-
bic practices. Those who ate, believ-
ing that it was not a question of right
and wrong at all, looked down IN their
brethren for being so superstitious as
to think that the foolishness of offer
ing a piece of meat'before the statue
of an imaginary divinity made it wrong
to eat the beef. "Knowledge:" The
letter to Paul had probably boosted
'knowledge," and the broader of the
two views just mentioned. Paul
checks that boasting instantly.
knowledge is not to decide, but love.
After the question, what theory as
to this meat is most reasonable? ?" is
this other, What course of action
would be most kind and helpful?"
Heart, not brain, must decide.
Paul clearly takes the side of the
more liberal and broad-minded Corin-
thians, and holds that the thing in it.
self is not wrong. Idols are nothing
and the previous experience of the
meat we eat has as little to do with
the religion of Jesus Christ as the price
we pay a pound for it. Paul would
have his converts be liberal and en-
~lighteneG; he would have them glory
in the liberty they have in the Gospel.
"Howbeit:" Paul does not stop
there. There is not in all men that
knowledge:" That insight, clearness
and breadth of view which Paul and
part of the Corinthians have attained.
Some of, those who had been idolators
were unable to shake off the feeling
that in using meat that had been a
part of an idolatrous ceremonial, Just
as they had done before conversion.
they were compromising with idola-
try. They, too, knew that idols were
nothing, but felt that this was wrong.
Conscience protested, and to disregard
conscience is sin. 'Take heed" Broad
minded freedom is good, but it must
not make one forget to be kind; it does
not Justify se~lfishness. In theory. as
he shows in the next chapter, Paul was
most liberal, in practice, most con-
seryative for the sake of Others. In
settling all questions of right and
wrong conduct, now as then, there is
the greatest need of charity, love, I'M
selfishness. The Christian must not
simply ask, How does the matter look
to me? Would it do me any harm?"
but he must ask, what would be best
for all concerned?" We may feel that
it is best to give up some things for
the sake of others-not that we are
governed by their c-onsciences, for we
are not-but simply that the giving up
might help them.
1t may sometimes seem best to wait.
Paul knew that it "a only a question
of time and clear thinking when his
own liberal view should prevail. He
was willing to wait. Right and reason,
are bound to win, and the Christian
can better afford to have charity and
wait than to ride rough-shod over even
the unreasonable scruples of his breth-
rem.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
knowledge puffeth up, but love
buildeth up" Better love without
knowledge than knowledge without
love.
1t is not SO much a question of
what may do, but what is best