1 Corinthians 8

Once again the apostle Paul is addressing an issue of division within the Corinthian church.  This time the object of discussion is whether it is lawful to eat meat sacrificed to idols.  In this period and place many temples existed where idol worship was a common occurrence.  Because of the frequency of idol worship coupled with the sacrifice of animals meat was plentiful in the homes of those who participated in the ritual and the meat was plentiful in the market place.  Generally, the cost of the meat which had been sacrificed was a lesser price making it very tempting to purchase for those with lower means.  The question of debate was whether the devout Christian should indulge in such meat whether purchased or in the homes of idol worshippers. 

Paul reminds the early church that they are not justified by whether they eat this meat or abstain from eating it.  Instead, their justification is found in Christ alone.  In verses 6-8 Paul states, “Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through Him…Food will not make us acceptable to God. We are not inferior if we don't eat, and we are not better if we do eat.”  From this passage we ascertain two things.  First, our existence and justification is found in Christ alone.  Secondly, the food is not the major issue for neither abstention nor participation removes or draws us to God.  The greater issue is found in our witness to those not in Christ and those weak in Christ.  Paul reminds the Corinthians in verse nine that while we might have the “right” we must be judicious in our execution of this privilege.  For the greater issue comes in how we draw or push away people to Christ.  Our purpose in life should be to point people to Christ.  Therefore, when we, by participation in cultural norms, actions, attitudes, or endeavors, cause people to lose their faith in Christ or hinder their walk in Christ, then we have sinned and will have to account for such actions.   

Takeaways:

1.   My privileges as a believer must be tempered by my responsibilities as a follower of Christ.

2.   I must be conscious of how my actions can gather people to Christ or scatter them from Him.
3.   There are greater depths than surface issues in our walk with God; therefore, we must seek God’s grace and wisdom in all decisi

1 Corinthians 7

I remember when the summer between college and seminary as I worked for a manufacturing company. We built potato and onion bins. The man I worked next to at my station was a preacher as well. However, he had not been formally trained. I distinctly remember a conversation he and I had regarding this chapter. He was taking one verse, actually only a part of one verse to build an false theology. That is a dangerous way to build one's convictions and pattern for living. Anytime we come to the scripture it is imperative that we read the context of the passage, understand who the author is addressing, and what he is stressing in the chapter and book as a whole.

In this chapter we do not find Paul giving a license for sexual immorality or divorce. Instead, he adresses issues which were prevalent within the church at Corinth. The church was living in the midst of a hotbed for sexual devance and immorality. This was not an exception in the community but the rule. Therefore, he wants the church to understand the importance of living a holy life. Additionally Paul wants the fellow believers in Corinth to live a life sold out to Jesus. Paul goes to the extreme of encouraging celibacy for all people for the purpose of having a greater focus on serving God. While he does not make this a mandate he does recommend it for those still single or who have become a widow/widower. In the same vein he does not encourage divorce even in the case of unequally yoked relationships. This union, Paul explains, could be the very catalyst to draw the unbelieving spouse into a relationship with Christ. Paul's greater emphasis is a life wholly surrendered to God without distractions.

Takeaways.

1. Nothing should distract us from serving God with complete surrender.
2. Be cautious in studying the scripture in isolation from the total context.
3. Relationships can be used for evangelistic purposes but should not be the pattern in choosing a mate.

1 Corinthians 6

If we could learn to adhere to one principle from this passage today then verse 12 would have to rank at the top. "Everything is permissible for me," but not everything is helpful. "Everything is permissible for me," but I will not be brought under the control of anything." I have heard people say to me in argument/defense of their position things like, "The Bible doesn't say not to.... While this may be true in relation to many "grey" areas this verse seems to give much wisdom in making decisions. While the act in question may be "grey" in our eyes the question we must not ask is "Can I?" Instead we should more likely ask, "Should I?" This begs us to consider the question, "Is this the best course of action for me? How does this affect the BIG picture in the grand scheme of life?" Recently Raegan asked me what to say to people who respond to the issue of alcohol with, "What does one drink hurt?" In the case for her friends first and foremost it is illegal. However, in the case of all people, what benefits are there from such an action? Many would and have debated over this topic. My response has often been what benefits has this divisive element brought to your life? For every benefit that some could express I can list numerous damaging effects. So the questions are, "Is that beneficial for my life? Is that something which can master my life?" Whether the issue is alcohol or some other action or attitude our desire should be to do only that which is beneficial for the greater picture.

Takeaways
1. My decisions should be based on the big picture.
2. My decisions should be based on what is beneficial.
3. My decisions should be based on whether that in question will master me.

1 Corinthians 5

Please forgive the delay of this post. Yesterday was filled with family time and I did not get it up until now.

Paul comes straight to the point of church discipline in chapter 5. The matter at hand in the discussion revolves around a man committing an act of sexually immorality. Making matters worse is that he is doing so with his step-mother. This type of behavior was apparently even condemned among the Gentiles, of which the Jews had little to no tolerance. In addition Paul states that the church is doing nothing to disciple or even disassociate with the person. Therefore Paul strongly urges the church to excommunicate the guilty party and have nothing to do with him.

This makes me ask myself a question. What actions and attitudes do we tolerate within the church which God abhors? Do we overlook certain behaviors as acceptable or even tolerable based n "who"? Do we make allowances on incidents for saying, "That is just the way they are?". Paul is very clear that when there is sin in the church we must deal accordingly with the offense and the offender. His judgment is "Do not associate with that person!"  The purpose is dual fold:  First, we must exercise discipline with the goal of redemption. The second is to not allow further corruption in the church.

In closing ask yourself, "Is there anything which I tolerate which God has condemned?"   "Am I guilty of an attitude or an action which God despises and is detrimental to the body?"

Takeaways
1. Church disciple must be a staple for redemption and protection
2. We have the task of redeeming our fellow believers through God
3. Where do I fall in the scheme of tolerating sin?

1 Corinthians 4

Paul continues his teachings to the Corinthian church in moving from the evaluation of the church to the evaluation of the ministers overseeing the church. In this passage he uses three analogies of a minister:  a steward/manager, a humble person, and a father figure.  His purpose seems to be to encourage the Corinthians to imitate his model of ministry, which he portrays in Christ.  In fact, in verse 16 Paul says, "Therefore I urge you to be imitators of me." 

His intent is to help the church see their responsibility to go beyond the superficial issues and deal with the weightier matters such as the disbursement of the Gospel.  In the opening verse of chapter 4 Paul reminds the church to consider themselves as servants and managers.  A servant is one who looks to the interest of others above their own.  Too often we are much like those who were the contemporaries of Copernicus. These individuals believed the earth was the center of the universe and that everything revolved around them.  However, Copernicus made a bold statement by walking out into the middle of the city, looking up to the sun and saying, "Behold the center of the universe." Several years ago Max Lucado wrote a book titled, "It’s Not About Me."  In this book he uses the account of Copernicus to remind us that the "SON" is the center of all things!  We are not the center of any universe.  Therefore as servants of Jesus Christ we must remember it is not about my desires, my ways, or my thoughts.  Instead, it’s all about Jesus Christ.  We must focus on what He desires and what glorifies Him.  This is what Paul is trying to get the early church to grasp.  In essence, the only way we can truly comprehend this is by understanding our mission is to be one in purpose and mind.  This can happen only when we realize that we glorify God when we put Him first and the sharing of His Good News through ministry and evangelism. 

Takeaways:
1.  Jesus Christ should be the center of our universe, not us.
2.  We are called to be servants of Christ.
3.  To be a servant we must walk in humility.

1 Corinthians 3

Wow!  Paul really knows how to use the art of tact!  Not at all!  While we can read the statement from two polar opposite views, the point is that he begins this chapter with a direct statement telling the Corinthians that they are still immature in their faith.  This statement takes me back to the statement that has been circulating in my mind for several weeks now which Chuck Colson made regarding the state of the church.  A paraphrased version of his statement is that the church is one inch deep and three thousand miles wide.  Paul is challenging the church to take a hard look at their condition of spiritual depth. His basis for this accusation stems from their divisive discussion on who baptized them and whose disciple they are considered. Of course, Paul wants nothing to do with such immature talk.  He recognizes that anytime an issue of minimal importance arises to become a matter of major discussion the church's focus and ministry is diminished and redirected.  This results in the church not fulfilling her mission of making disciples; therefore, not being obedient.  When the church, or an individual, is not obedient to our Lord then we, according to John 14, do not love God. 

Paul takes the majority of the remaining portion of chapter three to talk about the foundation of our Christian walk as being based on Jesus Christ, not any particular person, work, material, or philosophy.  He wants the church to understand that ALL works will be tested and refined by our Lord Jesus Christ himself.  If that work proves to be inferior it will not survive.  Keep in mind this is not referring to our salvation, but instead the ministry which we do for our Lord to one another and for the church.  This premise is born out of verse fifteen which states, "If anyone's work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through the fire."  Be cautious not to read into this passage the ability to live as we want and then we all will find salvation freely at the end as some misguided theologians and preachers ascribe. This is not referring to salvation but to the ministry and work after salvation.  Salvation is found in Jesus Christ alone and must be received through the acknowledgement of Jesus Christ as Lord, the repentance of our sins, and the submission of our lives.

Paul closes the chapter as strongly as he opened it.  In verses 16-17 he  says, "Don't you know that you are God's sanctuary and that the Spirit of God lives in you?  If anyone ruins God's sanctuary, God will ruin him; for God's sanctuary is holy, and that is what you are." To borrow a phrase from the state of Texas, Don't Mess with God's Children. The reference is different than from the earlier statement regarding the foundational elements of our ministry works.  Here the inference is those seeking to destroy the temple of God, which is the believer himself.  Those who spread malicious gossip, knowingly teach false doctrines, intentionally stir up strife, and/or injure the fellowship of the body.

Takeaways:
1.  Don't Mess with God's Church.
2.  Spiritual maturity is a process but must be a priority.
3.  God uses mankind to perform His ministry, but He provides the resources and the growth.
 

1 Corinthians 2

Paul begins chapter 2 with a continuing thought from the end of the previous chapter, discussing the method of his proclamation of the Gospel in an ordinary manner.  In verse 5 he explains his reasoning for a simplistic approach by saying, "So that your faith might not be based on men's wisdom but on God's power."  I have often said when sharing the Gospel with a pre-Christian convert that I will not attempt to manipulate or persuaded unduly a person to be a Christian, for that is the work of the Holy Spirit.  Instead, my duty is to share the Good News faithfully.  If I can persuade someone to become a Christian in my own merit, then someone else can persuade them otherwise.  God's Spirit should always bring the conviction. 

There is one phrase in this chapter which might be overlooked if we are not cautious.  At the end of verse 16 Paul makes a statement which is, "But we have the mind of Christ."  This phrase is a part of an argument/defense that the natural man cannot know the ways of the Lord.  I often find myself frustrated with the actions of people, in particular those who have never accepted Christ.  Years ago God revealed to me a thought along the lines of this passage.  How can we expect a person who does not know Christ to act in godly manners when he or she does not know God?  This is in essence what the passage is revealing to us.  We cannot expect that a person who does not know God can understand Him, know His plans, or act accordingly.  However, we, as children of God who have received His Holy Spirit, can understand Him, know His plans, and should act accordingly because "we have the mind of Christ." 

Several years ago, T. W. Hunt wrote a book titled, The Mind of Christ.  In this book Hunt sought to remind people that God is not satisfied with external actions, but with the internal transformation which will dictate the external actions.  In the opening chapter Hunt says, "Most of us, most of the time, are satisfied if we satisfy the expectations of society and the requirements of God by our outer, visible actions."  Unfortunately, we fail to understand that God would rather see us transformed inwardly in order to see a renewing of the mind and a transformation of the heart.  God does not want external robotic activity.  He desires that we have the Mind, Heart, and Soul of Christ.

Takeaways
1.  In sharing the Gospel, remember that our job is to share and the Holy Spirit is to bring conviction.
2.  God desires internal transformation resulting in external godly actions.
3.  If we are a child of God, we should have "The Mind of Christ."