What Others Know

“But if any man love God, the same is known of him.” (1Co 8:3 AV)

 

For such a short verse, it has many implications.  The context is knowledge versus practical application.  Directly, the passage is speaking of doing something that might be objectional to another because one has more knowledge than the offended.  Specifically speaking, this chapter concerns eating meat once offered unto idols.  It was common for shoppers to go to the market and buy meat at discounted prices because it was used in the practice of animal sacrifice within a temple.  The frugal shopper would see meat on sale and would not ask any questions.  The origin of the meat did not matter to him.  Being a good steward of his finances did.  Yet, some were saved out of that false religion who knew of the origin of the meat and were offended that believers would support the trade of selling meat once used for idol worship.  Those who had ‘knowledge’ understood it was just meat.  It was meat after the fact.  If it wasn’t sold, it would have been thrown away.  The sophisticated shopper did not have a crisis of conscience.  Those who did not have ‘knowledge’ of liberty of conscience as yet, were offended.  The counsel was to refrain from meat offered to idols if it offended a weaker saint.  Doing so proved one’s love for God.  That is the context.  However, there is a simpler application at hand as well.  Knowledge of God does not mean love for God.  And, if someone truly loves God, it will be evident to others around him.  It is not something we can fake.

One can tell the love two people have for one another.  It cannot be faked.  Sometimes, the signs are subtle.  You can also tell if two people are not completely devoted to one another even though they try hard to make it appear as such.  I have seen saints try to feign love for one another that does not exist.  The forced compliments or terms of endearment are obvious.  Someone who does not regularly use a pet name for their spouse but does so in public is not that hard to detect.  Someone who opens the door for their spouse or serves him a cup of coffee when it is not the normal thing to do does not fool the discerning eye and ear.  One can pick up on the more subtle languages of love.  The tone of voice when two people converse can pretty much tell you what one thinks of the other.  Respect is a demeanor.  It is an attitude before it is an action.  When two people truly love one another, they seem like one person.  They have more love for the other than they do for themselves.  When two people are deeply in love, one cannot exist apart from the other.  Not for very long, anyway.  They are inseparable.  Their actions are telling.  It isn’t so much the words they use, but rather, their actions while around their true love.

So the question arises.  When we speak of the LORD, what do others see?  When we live out our Christian life, what are others impressed with?  When we say we walk with God, are those mere words, or are they words that mean something?  Love cannot be faked.  It can be spoken of.  It can be emulated or copied.  But deep down love is so genuine, those who observe it are struck by it.  I am beginning the twilight years of my life.  I have passed the age that qualifies for enrolment in the AARP.  I can use the senior’s discount more and more.  My health, although fair, is not what it used to be.  My dear wife and I are entering the years when death becomes a topic of discussion.  We are entering the bottom curve of mortality.  Even though eternity is not as close as it will be in ten years, it is more of a possibility than it was ten years ago.  One wonders what will be written on one’s headstone.  How will people remember you?  Will they remember the things you did for the glory of Christ?  Will they remember the people you have helped?  Will they remember your knowledge of the Bible?  What will they remember?  Will they say, “He truly loved God?”  I would hope so.