Month: September 2024

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9.19.24 NetBible reading

God loved

1 Cor 9 Keep or Give Away

Eric Liddell was a runner and a participant in the Olympics. He had one rule, never to run on Sunday and because of that he forfeited a medal. Yet, his courage and steady testimony won him both praise and ridicule. Some time after the Olympics, at which he did receive medals, he chose to leave England and serve as a missionary in China. He not only forfeited medals but the comforts of a life in the English countryside and the perks that go with winners. Instead, he gave all that he might save some. That is what Paul chose to do as well. He had a privileged life as a Pharisee but when he met Christ on that road to Damascus, his life was forever changed. God sent Ananias to tell him that he would not only forgo the privileges of a Pharisee but he must suffer. Paul, like Eric Liddell, chose hardship rather than riches and fame. 

Like Eric Liddell, Paul said “I do all these things because of the gospel, so that I can be a participant in it.” Both did suffer and died, not with earthly riches and glory but with knowing that their lives were destined to win many to Christ and their reward was laid up in heaven. 

What do I give up to win the lost? Do I cling to earthly riches or like these two men, give up what I could keep so many may hear of the truth of the gospel? 

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How to disagree with others…

How do you sound today

1 Cor 8 Important or not?

Have you ever been in a discussion with someone who then argues that you are saying is unimportant? Sparks fly and tempers range. One is right and one is wrong but neither will admit to it. Thus,it was in the church in Corinth. Paul had spent much of his ministry there only to have to quell disagreements. One said knowledge was the most important thing. Get knowledge! Paul conceded that yes knowledge was important, but the greater is love for fellow Christians. If you lack this you are just a gonging cymbal. John also spoke to that in his letters to his flock and others. He said that we prove our knowledge by how we love others. If that is lacking, we really have no knowledge of God and His Son. 

In Corinth, the argument raged over the meat sacrificed to idols. Some said we should ask and then decide whether to eat or not. Others said, that is the unimportant issue because idols are nothing anyway. They chose to agree to disagree. Yet, they also chose to not love the brethren with whom they were in disagreement. Beloved, this should not be! Paul reminded them of this principle: “you sin against your brothers or sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ” So what is really the important issue here? It is to love others as Christ loved the church and deal with issues in love. 

How are you faring in this department beloved when you are in a discussion with other believers? 

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Truth Matters…

use scripture to discern

1 Cor 7 Opinions vs Truth

What do you trust more; someone’s opinion or the truth? That seems like a rather simple question with a simple answer, but not so fast. In our world, opinions fluctuate and cause problems that seem insolvable. So what does one do? One goes to the scripture and seeks their answer there. What does God say? Why does God say it? What then should my decision be? Those are the questions we should be asking. Now the questions have arisen in the Corinthian church about sexuality, marriage and celibacy. The opinions ranged from singleness to divorce. What does God say? 

God looked about at His creation and noted that each animal had their mate. And then God said, it is not good for man to be alone and so He created woman to be with man. He did not create more than one but just that one that was perfectly suited to him. And thus it was, then it is today.There is one mate for each person but until then each should remain celibate. Why does God provide mates for some and not for others is what we call a conundrum. Some questions are left unanswered but the truth of the matter is that we are commanded to remain as we are to present ourselves pure and holy for His purposes alone. 

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Remember…

1 Cor 6 Do you not know?

Child rearing is not a once time but it is an over and over recalling past conversations. As a parent we instruct our children with what is right so when they sin, we ask them did you not know what the consequences would be? As a former teacher, that was the same conversation I had with the children under my care. Both our own children and the children under our care often are brought to shame. Yes, they did recall the conversation but in the heat of the moment, they forgot. How true it is for even adult believers as Paul points out and so he asks this question six times: Do you not know? You can almost listen in on that conversation and see the shame of the listener. As the wise teacher of this Corinthian flock, Paul uses that question to bring back the memory of their first conversation and his teaching. So he reminds them of the consequences that lay before them because they “forgot” what he had taught them. 

This is a wise chapter for us to read and reread as we need that reminder and that question. In the heat of the moment, where are our thoughts, on self or Christ? Did you not know what you have been taught? Have you forgotten so quickly what we talked about? Review this verse over and over so you remember this counsel: “For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.” [1 Cor 6:20] 

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The Majesty of God

Psalm 104 The Lord God Almighty 

When we believe that God spoke His truth through the Bible, our lives are anchored upon a solid foundation of God’s power, perspective and purpose.

Over and over the writers of scripture remind us that God is light and in Him there is no darkness. Darkness is a picture of sin and God is pure with no sin. Light reveals what darkness cannot. It reveals purity and righteousness and holiness. The psalmist reaches back into Genesis and the creation to share his thought of how holy and pure and righteous God is. 

The Apostle John wrote that “Now this is the gospel message we have heard from him and announce to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all.”[1 John 1:5] Are we proclaiming that truth to others? Are we praising God for His creation? “O Lord my God, you are magnificent.You are robed in splendor and majesty.He covers himself with light as if it were a garment.” [Ps 104:1 and 2] 

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Come out from among them…

Pray for a pure heart

1 Cor 5 Immorality vs Purity

In the culture of Corinth it seems that were many who accepted the mores of the unsaved rather than standing apart. It is similar to today. Our TV shows reveal that dark side of sin blatantly and with no holds barred. In fact, we even might see it in bold and living color as an ad on our FB pages which has happened to me. 🙁 It reminds us of this saying regarding immorality: “garbage in garbage out.”  This should not be beloved, for Christ died for us so we may be pure and holy citizens. Thus Paul takes this opportunity to shame the Corinthians because not only were they living this way unashamedly, but also were proud. One author said it like this: “look how loving we are, we accept all.” 

So how then should we respond to this type of immorality in our sphere of influence and in our churches? Paul said they should have, “removed the one who did this from among you.” Come apart from them and sin ye not! 

Today as we live and move in a culture that is so similar to Corinth, let’s follow Paul’s counsel. 

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God’s character

Psalm 103 The Character of God

The psalmist recounts the attributes of God thus revealing His character lest we become busy and forgetful. Earlier the psalmist wrote a poem saying his tongue was like a pen writing. Now he takes pen to paper and records what is a small but significant list of the character of God. He begins his list with these words:

“The Lord is compassionate and merciful; he is patient and demonstrates great loyal love” meaning his loving kindness. Those teach us about His character, but then he describes further how it is revealed to men. “He does not always accuse and He does not remain angry” Those outward manifestations show us His love but also His character of patience with those who have sinned. It is because of those qualities that the psalmist recognizes that God does not treat as we should be treated but His patience often overlooks our wrongs. He removes our sins as far as the east is from the west. 

Thus the psalmist says it is fitting for us to praise Him for these character qualities both now and in the future. For what are you praising God today? Make a list and post it where you can review it and add to it as the Holy Spirit reveals more. Or go and read Micah and see these same qualities.

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Which train car are you in?

Praying for God's Blessings

1 Cor 3 “First Class or Third Class or Baggage Car?”

Look at your church, look at yourself, look at the world. Some people are traveling in first class, they are saved and they are maturing. Others are traveling in third class, they are saved but not producing fruit. And then there rather those who are riding in the baggage car, these are the unsaved and they are traveling with other’s baggage and also their own. This is an illustration of the Church in Corinth. (Compliments to Alan Redpath, British author and teacher) 

Paul wants so much for the Corinthians to mature but as he notes there is still strife which leads to divisions. He wants to feed them meat but they are like babies who can only feed on milk. He is reminding them that they are the temple of the Lord and should therefore live holy lives. 

As we read this chapter, the Spirit is challenging us to address which person we resemble. Are we traveling this route in life in first class or third class or worse are we in the baggage car? 

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Voices…

Are we listening

1 Cor 2 What voice are you listening to?

Today we are faced with those who would have us join them in believing that boys can be girls and vice versa. They also claim that unborn babies are not really babies. It is really heartbreaking to read and listen to these because they purport to be wise but Paul reminded the Corinthians and now he is reminding us that: “The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” [1 Cor 2:14] 

Did you grab that thought? If you are not one to believe that God is the One who orchestrates all of life and the origins of the universe, or that Christ lived a perfect human life, then died and rose for our salvation, you are not wise but a fool. Paul reminded the Romans that he who would claim to be wise is in reality a fool. 

Thankfully, God clearly has said that He sent His Son not to condemn the world but to save the world. He also sent the Holy Spirit to indwell each one who believes that He may impart wisdom that comes from God. “God has revealed these to us by the Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”[1 Cor 2:10] Today which voice are you listening to? 

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The Reasons Behind…

1 Cor 1 “so that”

How many times have you been asked why you continue on the road of Christendom? People wonder why I have been and how long I have been a believer in Christ. Paul explains two reasons why: “the testimony about Christ has been confirmed among you—so that you do not lack any spiritual gift.” and secondly “so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

This is a connector verse for what Paul will say later as to how to answer those questions; be ye steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord knowing that your labor is not in vain.

So today as you wonder why you remain in the fold of the believer, give those answers.

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