Humble thoughts, reflections, and/or summaries from readings of God's word. "For if any one is desirous simply to know those things which it has pleased God to reveal, that is the man who accurately knows what it is to be truly wise. " Calvin
Sunday, August 30, 2009
In 1 Cor 12, Paul says he wants the brethren "to be quite certain" about the manifestations of the Spirit within them. Paul explains that it is important to clearly understand that nobody is able to claim that Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit; and likewise, nobody can speak in the Spirit of God against Jesus. The Spirit does not manifest in unbelievers. Next, Paul explains that all varieties of spiritual manifestations in believers are of the "same Spirit" and all serve the purpose of God's work for the common good of the body of Christ. God alone determines how He will manifest His Spirit in each believer. Paul then explains how God unites believers together as one body in Christ to function in harmony. God has arranged the believers as parts of this one body just as He wanted. His design necessitates that the parts interact with cooperation, dependence, honor and respect of each other, and equal concern for each other.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
1 Cor 11 discusses the proper attitude of submission in worship and secondly the proper attitude for participation in communion. Paul seems to be giving specific guiding instructions for the current circumstances in the Corinthian church, which likely does not have the same application today. However, the submissive attitude described by Paul probably is applicable to our relationships with one another in the church (and in marriage) today. Paul's idea of submission in this discussion seems to emphasize humility, commitment, cooperation, and unity more than supremacy or inferiority. As for communion, Paul says we should not have an indifferent attitude when eating the bread and drinking from the cup of the Lord. He says, "you should examine yourself" , since we are remembering that Christ died for our sins. Without acknowledging the meaning of communion, one participating is "guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord". There should be an attitude of reverence before God and respectful consideration of the unity of the body of Christ.
Friday, August 28, 2009
In 1 Cor 10, Paul warns again not to worship idols as some of the Israelites did. He then discusses the freedom we have in Christ --- "Everything is permissible". However, Paul says be careful not to cause anyone to stumble and consider the benefit for others , rather than just seeking your own good. He concludes this discussion by saying, "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".
Thursday, August 27, 2009
In 1 Cor 9, Paul discusses "rights of apostleship". First, he teaches that the body of Christ is obligated to support, care for, and fairly compensate our spiritual leaders. Paul gave up many of his "rights" ( to be compensated, to hospitality, to be married), in order to focus on living for Christ and winning others to Christ. Paul explains that he lives this way, not so that he can boast, but because he feels compelled by God. He says that his only compensation is the satisfaction he receives from preaching the Good News without expense or obligation to people. Clearly, Paul's life goals were to live for Christ and to bring people to Christ. In conclusion of this chapter, Paul discusses these goals with an illustration of a race. Paul explains that living your life for Christ ("run in such a way") requires discipline and self-control. Preaching and leading others to Christ takes a lot of time, training ,work, and energy. Paul talks of fear that if he doesn't live in such a way, that he could lose his privilege of telling others about Christ ( "that I myself might be disqualified"). In other words, he was concerned about practicing what he preached. Consider your life goals. Do they lead toward an eternal, imperishable reward?
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
1 Cor 8 addresses food offered to idols , specifically whether Christians may eat such food. Paul offers many considerations, but the decisive factor is whether others present believe it to be immoral or sinful. Though we don't even acknowledge the existence of idols or gods other than our God, we must consider what affect our decision to eat such food will have on our weaker brethren. Paul says to "take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak". Paul says that in becoming a hindrance to the weaker brethren, "wounding their conscience", you not only sin against them but also sin against Christ. There are probably many modern examples of situations that we need behave prudently also, being careful not to exercise our liberty in Christ in the presence of "weaker brethren". We must let love and edification of the body be the guiding rule in such decisions.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
In 1 cor 7, Paul addresses marriage, saying it is legitimate for Christians to marry if they desire. But, he says those who are single or are widows should remain single if they can maintain self-control. Paul says, "each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him". However, Paul says also "those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this." "I would like you to be free from concern.. about the affairs of this world ---how to pleas his wife--". Paul says in this way, a married person's interests are divided. He encourages singles, that they may "live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord".
Monday, August 24, 2009
In 1 Cor 6, Paul first teaches that the church should handle their own disputes without the need for legal courts. As Christians , we have the indwelling Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ and will someday be judges of the angels and the whole world. Next, Paul addresses those who continue in a lifestyle of sexual sin and call themselves believers. Those who do so are not regenerate and will not share in the kingdom of God. However, those who are now regenerate may have struggled with such sins in their prior life, but now have been made right and no longer are slaves to sin. Paul says that believers will continue to occasionally struggle with sin, but not live a sinful lifestyle. We are free in Christ, but our bodies are now for the Lord's purposes. Our bodies are actually parts of Christ. Once more, our bodies don't even belong to us, since God bought us with a high price. Therefore, Paul says to "honor God with your body" by striving to live by His standards.
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