eating food offered to idols

Am reading the NT and re-encountered the part about eating foods offered to idols ...

• Knowledge leads to self-importance whereas love strengthens the church
• That not all believers know that there is one Father and one Jesus and therefore they continue to think that idols are real
• As such they, for example, will see certain foods that were associated with these idols (before becoming believers) as still attached to their worship
• Thus if they see anyone eating these foods it will create confusion: "How can you eat that, you are a believer, and now you are worshiping this false god"
• This confusion may then lead the new believer to eat the food they believe is wrong and therefore cause them to break their own conscience

So Paul says, it is better to forever more not eat that food rather than cause that confusion in them

NOW ... my musing is how this relates to today ... specifically:

• That not all believers know that since Jesus' death and resurrection there is no need to go to the mountain altars or city temples to worship because as he resides in us and we in him, we are free to worship anywhere anytime in truth and spirit.
• Indeed many believers continue to believe that attending a specific building is the only place, or brings validity to worship
• Hence, if they become aware that you are not attending a building or belong to a specific group it will create confusion: "How can you worship that way?" "If you are a believer, how can you claim authority or protection?" etc.
• For these believers, the confusion they feel could result in feeling they are being asked to do something they believe is wrong and therefore cause them to break their own conscience if they left their regular place of worship

The point I end my musings (at least in writing) is that I do not how to reconcile the final part ... suggestions please

So Paul says, it is better to forever more not eat that food rather than cause that confusion in them...

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the end is nigh!...?

There are many theories and ideas about how and when the world will end.  Will it be an environmental cataclysm, world war 3, the eventual destruction of the sun, even alien invasion.

For some people who profess Jesus as real these theories include his return and associated with the various apocalyptic visions of the bible's book of Revelation, among others.  The nation of Israel is also normally included into the theory.  Will people who believe in Jesus be taken to heaven before the disasters?  Or not.

People have been trying to predict the end of our world for generations, and for followers of Christ, since his death and resurrection.  Even before.

How?  Some read the scriptures and present a series of literal events.  Others may then take these passages and interpret them through what they see happening around them or expect to happen.  Others look at world events and seek biblical passages to 'match them'.

It is natural for us to see patterns in our world.  Doing so helps us make sense of an otherwise confusing and sometimes overwhelming life.   It is often difficult not to.

But is it wise?  Is it wise to see the world, see other people, indeed live our lives this way? How does living like this cause us to treat people?  Indeed ...

Why are we told that we will not know when Jesus will return (Mat 24)?  To be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.

Should we be eager for the end?

What was Jesus' focus?

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