1 Corinthians 10:26

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Monday, 20 October 2014

…for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 1 Corinthians 10:26

This completes the thought of the previous verse. Read together, they say, “Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; for ‘the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.'”

This thought is seen first in Deuteronomy 10:14. It is then repeated twice in the psalms in both Psalm 24:1 and Psalm 50:11. The idea is that there is one Creator and everything stems from His act of creation. Therefore, anything offered to an idol (which is nothing in all the world), isn’t changed by that idol. It was an animal created by God and it has been given to man to eat. Only during the time of the law were dietary restrictions imposed on man – for a set purpose and a set time which ended when Christ fulfilled the law.

Now all food is considered clean and acceptable to eat. This is shown to be true in the account recorded in Acts Chapter 10 and which is explained throughout the writings of Paul, such as in 1 Timothy 4:4, 5 –

“For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.”

Therefore, whatever is sold in the meat market is acceptable and may be eaten without regard to conscience. Paul will continue explaining this in the verses ahead and noting the exceptions as he goes.

Life application: The food we eat has been given by God for our sustenance. Whatever you eat, be sure to give a prayer of thanks over it, thus acknowledging that it is Christ who has made it clean. After that, enjoy your meal!

Lord God, I want to thank You for the great variety of food You have given us. It is a wonderful thing to sit down and enjoy all the tasty delights You have given to excite our palate. Just like the fields which are adorned with a thousand splashes of color, You have adorned our plates with variety beyond measure. I can be sure that You truly revel in our happiness when I taste the many flavors You have created for us. Thank You for Your attentive care to our daily meals! Amen.

 

 

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