Paul has just promised that God will provide a way out of any temptation we are faced with, and in light of that, implores the Corinthians to “flee from idolatry”. Paul asks his readers to engage their minds and evaluate his words. (v.15) The Bible is not a book that asks to be thoughtlessly believed in. Jesus and the authors of the Bible invite rational investigation and Christians should do the same.
Paul’s argument to stay away from idol worship goes something like this:
- When Christians take part in the symbolic act of communion, we are connecting ourselves to the sacrifice Christ made and claiming the benefits of that sacrifice, made on our behalf. As Christians, we represent the “body of Christ” as it is present and active on earth. We are united as believers, because we all claim the benefits of Christ’s single sacrifice. (Verses 16-17)
- Likewise, the Jewish people participated with God in consuming the sacrifices offered to him by eating some of the meat themselves. (v. 18) (See Leviticus chapter 7).
- Although physical idols are not anything of real significance, those who worship them are actually honoring demons without realizing it! (v.19-20. See also Leviticus 17:7 and Deuteronomy 32:17) It would appear that demons are partially responsible for the creation of false religions, and to honor (or treat as real) phony gods honors the work of the demons that helped to conceptualize or inspire them.
- God becomes jealous when we worship anything other than him. God is not being petty in his jealousy, like humans. He is perfect and knows that our greatest fulfillment will come from an eternal relationship with him. He objectively knows that he is infinitely more worthy of attention and love than anyone or anything else, because he CREATED everyone and everything else! So both his sense of cosmic justice and boundless love for us are put into play when he becomes “jealous”. (v. 22)
- Therefore, worshipping the God of the Bible is not compatible with worshipping any other god of any conflicting religion. (v. 21) God does not tolerate an “all-inclusive” religious view, because it results in neglecting him and our true, eternal purpose. According to the God of the Bible, he is not one of many choices, or one interpretation of the same universal truth. The God of the Bible stands alone and above any other religious or philosophical system. Despite our sinful desire to change his fact, we are not stronger than God. (v.22) We cannot change reality or make him change into what we want.
To sum up the argument, Christians are united through Christ and made separate from other gods. To recognize/honor other gods disrupts the unity we have with God and with other believers. It’s like saying, “God, I love spending time with you, but sometimes I’d rather hang out and talk to my pet rock, instead.” Or even worse, “God, I love you and owe everything to you that I can define as good. But I also really like this person who calls you a liar, hates you, lies to me, hates me and wants me to stay away from you and any hope of ultimate, eternal fulfillment. Do you mind if I spend some time with them too?”
No wonder God wants us to leave bogus gods behind and worship only him! The alternative doesn’t make any sense!
Next Week: “Okay” vs. “Great”
Coffee House Question
Why do you think it is so tempting and popular to view all religions as compatible or “basically the same”?
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