Knowledge, habit, conscience and judgment.
A. Main scriptures for this study--> 1 Cor.8:4-13
1.Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is (anything) in
the world, that there is no God but one. 1 Cor.8:4
Knowledge--> There is only One God, the Father in heaven. ! Cor.8:4-6
Habit in real life practice--> Besides this God there is no other! Mk.12:32
Conscience is free of guilt to eat food offered to idols in idol temple!
2. But not all men have this knowledge! 1 Cor.8:7
Other men converted into Christ from idol worship:
Knowledge--> Idols are gods.
Habit in real life practice--> Used to worship idols as gods!
Guilty feeling in conscience--> I, as a Child of God is eating food offered to other gods in idol temple!
As a child of God I am having fellowship with other gods by eating food offered to idols in temple!
He is destroyed and condemned by his conscience!
3. Paul’s advice is for saved people in the church to avoid eating food offered to idols in idol temple!
B. In all good conscience the Jews tried to kill Jesus! John 10:30-39.
1. Jesus said to the Jews: I and the Father are one! John 10:30
2. The Jews picked up stones to stone him, John 10:31
3. Jesus said: I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?
4. We are not stoning you for any of these but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.
a. Knowledge--> There is only one God! Jesus is a mere man!
A mere man claim to be God is blasphemy deserved to be stone to death!
b. This was the real habit in life in the Old Testament time!
c. To those Jews this was a zealous service to God in all good conscience!
C. At first Apostle Paul did it this way too!
1. Paul declared to the Jews who tried to kill him! Acts 23:1
Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said:
My brothers, I have fulfilled my duty to God in all good conscience to this day.
a. According to my old knowledge: I persecuted this Way as you do!
b. According to my old habit: I persecuted this way as you do!
c. My conscience was clear as you do in trying to kill me! Acts chapter 22-26
2. I have changed! This is my new adopted way of life in all good conscience in the sight of God!
Knowledge --> Jesus is Lord and Christ!
My practice in real life--> Persecute the church of Christ is persecute the Lord Jesus himself!
Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: First to those in Damascus,
then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should
repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds. Acts 26:19-20
D. Conclusion: God will judge according to my gospel by Jesus Christ!
1. Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the
implanted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21
2. In that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness
therewith, and their thoughts one with another accusing or else excusing in the day when God shall
judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ. Romans 2:15-16.
3. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast
out demons, and by thy name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I never
knew you: depart from me, you evildoers. Matt.7:22-23
4. In all good conscience they all thought Jesus would welcome them into Heaven!
5. This is how you can be sure of your salvation now!
a. Knowledge of the New Testament Bible! b. Make it a habit in doing what says in the N.T. Bible!
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on January 13, 2013.