1 Corinthians 8:1-3 NIV
“Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves God is known by God.”
Having knowledge is important, but, it is not the most important. We need to have love and apply the love in our daily life. Love is the most important, love can help people to grow, to train up people and build up people.
In the time of the early church of Corinth, having food which had been sacrificed to idols were easy. Even the food in the marketplace might have been sacrificed to idols. Paul reminded the people that “We all possess knowledge” on this matter. It is not necessary to puff up because they had knowledge, they criticized and judged others. Contrary, People love God, pleasing to God, God knows. Love is more important than knowledge.
Having higher education, professional trainings, these are all good to have, these are grace from God. We should not keep our education or trainings only in the head or in our mouth. We should not boast, only talk and criticize. We should learn to put what we know into action with love. Being humble, take the role of servant-leaders, with the heart of father, being role model to mentor, walk along side one another and advancing together. “Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 4:15 NIV)
Let us live out “while love builds up” diligently.