“As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.” (1 Corinthians 8:4–6, AV)
When I was in the United States Army, I discovered that many are poor leaders. In fact, every leader has his flaws and failures. One of the greatest problems I saw in leadership what that of leading people on maneuvers and getting them lost.
We were on a field training exercise when I received a call from the Battalion Executive Officer that we were to have a staff meeting on one of the maneuver area’s observation posts. I don’t remember the number right now, let’s call it OP4. It was up on the top of a hill. I identified it on my map and directed my driver to the location. We were literally sitting at the post and looking over the valley. The time for the meeting came and went and still no one else arrived.
Finally, I looked down in the valley and saw a lone jeep driving back and forth through a row of trees. I raised the S-4 on the radio and asked him where we were to meet, he stated he was at OP4. I told him that it was impossible. I was in my jeep and could touch the OP4 sign. Well, figuring that it was the S-4 in the jeep below, I had my driver take me back down into the valley. The only problem was that the Battalion headquarters was nowhere to be found.
Eventually I saw an M577 command track coming in our direction. It was the Battalion Commander. His face was cherry red. I thought he was about to have a stroke. I politely asked him, “Sir, where are the Battalion staff vehicles?” I won’t repeat his words. He told me that the captain in charge of them lost them all somewhere. The point of this is that men are flawed and often make mistakes.
Paul in dealing with eating food sacrificed to idols brings up a very important truth. There is only one supreme and infallible one, our God. In fact, of all the various gods and lords of men, these are all figments of man’s imaginations. They are empty guides, cosmic nothings, big zeroes. Thus, we are not to be concerned with these man-made gods. they have no effect over the food that people eat.
Our God is real. He is infinite, omniscient, omnipotent, immutable, and eternal. He is infinitely holy, good, just, and true. I could go on, but the point is that He has created all things and for whom we exist. Moreover, the Lord holds all things together. He is the one who established absolute truth. He guides us in life and we are to follow Him. Moreover, He will never lead us astray and get us lost.
Our God is vastly different than the gods of men. The gods of men, have no power, no intellect, no moral virtue, and no influence in the world. Any influence they have on people is that in which men have been deceived to believe in. On the contrary we believe and follow the true living God, one who transcends the finite capacity of man to fully comprehend.
The awesome wonder of our God for whom we exist and our Lord through whom we exist changes everything. We trust Him because of who He is and what He has done. This affects every aspect of our lives. It includes the freedom that we experience in life, the bold confidence that we have, and the actions that we take to follow Him in his will.
Renewing the Heart 