(1 Corinthians 10:14)
Why was Paul warning the Corinthians about idolatry? It helps to consider the context of this passage. A controversy existed within the community about whether Christians were allowed to eat meat that had been sacrificed to pagan gods. The problem was that most of the meat available on the market had already been subject to these religious ceremonies. Earlier in his letter, Paul argued that Christians could eat such meat as long as it didn’t scandalize or weaken the consciences of their fellow Christians (1 Corinthians 8:4-13). But it seems that some in the community may have actually been participating in these sacrifices as well as eating the “consecrated” meat.
How could they do such a thing, Paul asks, and still come together to share communion and receive the Body and Blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16)? Paul understood that when we sacrifice to anything, we are “connecting” ourselves to that person or thing; we are establishing a kind of communion with them. But communion with Christ is exclusive. We can’t be connected to anything else at the same time.
Whenever we invest an inordinate amount of our time, energy, or resources in pursing things other than God, we are in effect sacrificing to them. We are in some way sharing communion with them. We may even be giving the evil one a foothold in our lives (1 Corinthians 10:20). After all, what better strategy could Satan use than to keep our focus off of God?
Of course, just because something isn’t directly God centered doesn’t mean it will become an idol. We just don’t want anything—whether that be the pursuit of a career, material things, or a favorite pastime—to become a driving force in our lives.
As Christians, we want to invest ourselves in what will keep us close to Christ. Because in the end, anything else will prove dissatisfying to us. Nothing can give us what only God stands ready to give: hope that does not disappoint, deep-down joy, and love that is beyond our comprehension.
“Jesus, help me always to stay firmly connected to you.”
from wau.org
