Are you one of them? Or are you a bit silly? I think the lockdown brought some balance to the sensible world we were living in which the pandemic broke. Parents were suddenly joining in their children’s ridiculous dance routines on social media; I remember reading of people dressing up in black ties to take their bins out; perhaps a bit of silliness helps us all to get through certain seasons of our lives. Who wants to be sensible all the time?
But there are people who lives their lives with no sense at all. It’s not the bizarre humorous silliness but a lack of sense to the dangers that befall them. And we find ourselves rolling our eyes and thinking words like ‘unbelievable!’ One friend I know uses the phrase, ‘what’s wrong with people?!’ as they gasp at the lack of sense someone has displayed.
Some people think they are sensible and even pride themselves on how wise they are when actually they have no sense at all! I say that because the Apostle talks about them in the next verses. But first let me set the scene before we read.
I don’t think you will ever meet a Christian who seriously believes idolatry is acceptable. Neither would you find a Christian who doesn’t believe in the Lord’s supper/ Communion.
Idolatry and communion? A strange combination but Paul speaks of them both now in contrast as he commands us all to flee from idolatry.
“Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf. 18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Corinthians 10 v 14-21)
In chapter 3 and 4 we have read how the church thought themselves wise. Paul addresses their arrogance, “I speak to sensible people”.
Sensible people who claim they can then go into pagan temples and eat food that is used to sacrifice to them.
Sensible people who don’t worry whatsoever that people who have been saved from such idolatry may see them enter into the temples.
Sensible people who also celebrate the broken body of Jesus and the shed blood of Jesus during communion.
Sensible people who say idols don’t exist so they believe they only have one true altar, that of Christ.
Sensible people who deceive themselves thinking the altar of Christ can save them from the dangers of idolatrous altars.
Sensible people who are blinded in those temples to the demons that lie behind them.
Sensible people who do not believe the demonic can use their stupidity to attack them.
Sensible people who participate at 2 food tables, the Lord’s and demons.
Sensible people who are so foolish they don’t think the Lord is bothered by their behaviour.
Sensible people who have inflated egos.
Sensible people who do not give to the Lord everything.
Sensible people who think they are sensible are sometimes very unwise.
Missions Paul 