The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-11-21
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Subject. Abstinence For the Sake Of
Others, ]. Cor. X, es. Ss-GoIden Text,
]. Cor. X, 1%&-Memory Verses, 1888
documentary on the Days Lesson.
In verses 14-22 Paul resumes the dis.
eussion from chapter S.13 touching the
eating of meats which had been offered
in sacrifice to idols. In the lesson be-
fore us we have some practical direc4
tons on this subject
l. The duty of living for others Tvs.
%, "a.
3d. "All things are lawful" may
lawfully eat all kinds Of food but all
are not expedient. 1t would not be be-
coming in me to eat OF all, because L
should by this offend and grleVe many
weak minds. Though it may be adj
mitted that it is strictly lawful to cat
meats offered to idols, yet there are
strong reasons why it is inexpedient.
and those reasons ought to have the
binding force of law Not expedient' y
And so, being Improbable and injur-
lous. may thereby become unlawful
Edify not !" All things do not tend
70 build up the cause of Christ. and
therefore are not expedfent. "a His
own" Let no man consult his own
but let him ask what will be for tho
good Of others. No rule is laid down
about eating or not eating any kind OF
food as matter OF Importance III it.
self With such things the gospel has
no concern, What Paul does prescribe
relates to the effect of oul. conduct upon
others. Let every man live not for
himself but for every part of the great
human family with which he is sur
rounded. 'Another's wealth" But
each his neighbours good "-R. v. This
will cause true happiness.
III The duty of guarding the weak
Tvs. $780, 20. rs sold" The meats
Of idol sacrifices were often exposed to
sale in the markets especially by the
priests, when they had on hand sur
plus. TO the Christian this was as
+ lawful as any other meat. SHANE
bles." The meat stalls in the market.
Asking no question. The jews were
veXed with innumerable ecruples with
respect to their eating and were accus-
TONED to ask many questions about
their food, as to where it was obtained.
how prepared, etc. all Of these scruples
and questi0nings the gospel abolished.
~. Earth is the Lords" See Pisa.
24:l. This meat belongs to the Lord
and is made for mans use. 1T does not
belong to the idol, even though it has
been offered to it. 1t may therefore be-
partaken ofsas Gods gift 81. Bid
feast. This refers to a feast in pri-
Vate mouse. In verses 1922 the apostle
severely rebukes the practice of eating
al IeaSfS IN heather temples, because
this was one part of idolatrOus wor-
ship. If q pagan friend invite Chris
tian to his home to dine he should eat
what is set before him without vexing
his host with questions about his food.
j But there is nothing here commanded
which wouldrequire a.person to eat or
drink that which is harmful
2S. Say unto you. . That is, If one
OF your fellow guests should display
scruples of conscience, or heather
should be likely to draw the inference
that you approved of idol worship, this
altogether alters the case. Y0a are no
longer simply eating with thankfulnesS
the food set before you as the gift of
God, but the question of idolatrOus
worship of idols as permissible to a
Christian. 30. For why" etc. This
verse and the next as a little obscure
The meaning seems to be that ''no man
has right to interfere with the liberty
enjoyed by another, save so far as his
own conscience and conscientious con-
victions are likely to be affected there
by" We must guard the point Of
yielding to another's conscience, for
we may by obeying a mans false con-
science confirm his self-conceit, or es-
tablish false morality. So "If by
grace" IF partake with thankful
ness.'-R. v.
III, The correct rdle OF conduct Tvs.
$780,
81. Eat, or drink" The glory Of
God is TO be the end of all our actions.
In themselves eating and drinking are
things Indifferent, but there are cir
cumstances in which they may be mat
ters of the highest Importance. In our
own day, for instance, the question of
using or abstaining from intoxicating
liquors is one which ought to be dealt
with on the same principles which Paul
has laid down in this chapter. Such
question should be decided on one
ground alone, namely, whether by us
ing them or abstaining from them We
shall best promote the glory of God.
DO ALL This requires that we should
plan and order our whole life in ac-
cOrdance with Gods law. GLORY Of
God" To live to Gods glory should be
the high aim of every individual. This
is a sufficient rule to regulate every
mans conscience and practice.
80 Give none offense." See r. w.
Though you may be no better or worse
for eating meat or not eating, yet il
your conduct injuries others and leads
them into sin you should abstain en-
tirely. 1t is far more important that
your brother should not be led into sin
than that you should partake of meat
which you acknowledge is In itself of
no Importance. This is general prin-
ciple which should regulate Christian
conduct at all time. "Jews. The
apostle ever avoided offense to his
kinsmen after the flesh. .Gentiles
Crossing none of theirprejudices where
Gods law does not require it.
SO, please all men" He did this
SO far as he could righteously. May
be saved" His main object was to
seek the salvation of all men, This
was the end in view. Salvation ena-
bles men to set aside their own ways
III order to uplift another. Strife over
non-essentials destroys rather than
builds up the work of God
Japan's purchases from the United
States in the fiscal year just closod
amounted to $51,724.726.