1 Corinthians 10 & 11

The folks in Corinth had a lot of zeal but not a lot of spiritual wisdom. Paul is telling them that just belonging to a family of faith isn't enough; it takes a right relationship with Christ. Idolatry takes many forms, and God isn't pleased with any of them, even if they look spiritual. He warned them not to start thinking that they were "all that" because the one who thinks he has it figured out best is the one most likely to slip up.

One of the most improperly used phrases in the Bible is in this section. People say that God will not put more on you than you can stand. But what verse 13 actually says is that God won't let you be tempted beyond your ability and will always give you an escape route. So when we succumb to temptation we can't blame it on "God made me this way". It is because we didn't look for the way out and allowed ourselves to fall.

The folks at Corinth loved their gatherings, but allowed the gatherings to overshadow their Christian living by getting carried away at the fellowship dinners. Some got drunk, and others were left out entirely. Once again we can be grateful for Paul's wonderful description of why we participate in the Lord's Supper and how we are to approach it. Pure gold.

1 Corinthians 8 & 9

We don't have many controversies today about whether or not it is okay to eat meat that was sacrificed to idols. But that doesn't mean that we can just skip over this chapter, because there are plenty of ways this issue applies to us today. Under grace, many things are permissable, and they may pose no stumbling block to you or me. However, something that may not be an issue to us may really be a problem for someone else coming from a different background or worldview. The issue for us isn't how it affects us. The issue is will we value our freedom in a way that puts another person in bondage?

Paul is calling believers to live in true spiritual maturity in these two chapters by urging us to be willing to put ourselves in second place behind people who are newer in the walk. It is tempting to hold the opinion that since I know it's okay you can just deal with it, but as Paul leads us up to the "Love Chapter" in chapter 13, he details for us ways that our Christian love should be shown to others. Living in a way that doesn't hinder the spiritual "newbies" is a big one.

1 Corinthians 6 & 7

I love the practical nature of Paul's instructions to the church. Don't sue other believers, flee from sexual immorality, marry or don't marry. If you marry, treat your spouse with respect. If you don't marry, live wholeheartedly for the Lord. But whatever state of life you find yourself in, be content in it. That is so practical and profound. We feel enough pressures from our culture to adhere to certain patterns; marriage, children, home ownership, retirement accounts, estates to leave to our children and before you know it, you have grown old and never had the time or resources to do anything for the Lord.

I appreciate the fact that Paul was never married and spent his life in total devotion to the things of God. He would have been a horrible husband if he had been on his many adventures and been beaten, jailed and shipwrecked all those times with a wife and kids at home. But he loved his life and wished that there were many more just like him who could go all out for God without the worry of how it would affect his family.

But Paul knew that not everyone had his gift and that God can use anyone who is willing to be used, so he gives good detailed instructions about to live Christianly in financial dealings, marriage and interpersonal relationships. I have to remind myself that this was written thousands of years ago because the issues he discusses are still potential stumbling blocks for us today.

1 Corinthians 4 & 5

It is a scary thing to be a teacher of the Word. God knows every word that is said and every motive that the heart contains. He will ultimately judge the fruit of each ministry and the motivation of each minister. Because of that, we should be very careful about judging or criticizing someone else's work. It's not our job. Of course, we should listen to teachers and compare what they say with the message of the Bible, but we should think twice before we arrogantly or quickly speak against another believer.

But that doesn't mean that we do not have a responsibility to discipline obviously wrong behavior when it is found in the life of a leader. Anyone is welcome to attend and belong, but there is a standard for those who would be in a position of leadership. To allow public wrongdoing by leaders is to undermine the very foundations of the Christian life. Grace is a wonderful thing, but to presume on grace causes confusion and very possibly can cause a believer to stumble in their walk with Christ.

1 Corinthians 2 & 3

Everything was so new. The Holy Spirit was moving actively in the lives of the believers. Spiritual gifts were appearing in people other than prophets and priests. And the early church was having to learn what it all meant for them and the future of the Gospel. Not surprisingly, they had some issues. Paul speaks strongly but lovingly to them as he explains to them how the Holy Spirit works in and through them.

Of course, as things move forward, people find that different styles or personalities connect with them better than some others. Paul says that it okay to enjoy someone's ministry but to realize that all have been called by God and it's not okay to disregard someone's gift just because it doesn't turn you on. And it's dangerous to dismiss someone else's ministry because it is God's business to judge those things. We have to be careful when we begin to think that we've got it all figured out because "the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight." (3:19 NIV)

! Corinthians 1

Thanks, Shayne for your insights on Romans!

1 Corinthians is a real gift to the Church today because it is a letter written to a church that really wanted to do the right thing, but was struggling with how to get it done, because the people who were in the church were really imperfect. Sound familiar?

We divide over things that don't really matter, and fail to address significant shortcomings or error. Paul, through his letters, tries to explain to the Corinthians the importance of getting the heart right and not focus on externals. Then, as now, it is easy to place too great an emphasis on styles or personalities when it is the power of the Cross and our resurrected Savior that should be our focus. To a world that is skeptical and unbelieving, the message of the Cross seems pretty crazy, but when the Holy Spirit takes that same message and penetrates our souls with it, the Cross becomes a symbol of the power of God.

Romans is a richly thematic book which lays out the case for serving God and the security that is ours as believers in Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians is a detailed, practical explanation of some of the do's and don'ts of living together as a church body. He gets right the heart of the matter and we are grateful today for this letter. Today we still deal with the same issues that the church in Corinth had to work through.

P. Randy

Romans 16

Paul is continuing to close his letter by tying up some more personal matters. I do find it interesting how many female names are listed. Clearly women were a very important part of early Christian church ministries.

Paul concludes his letter to the Christians in Rome with the warning to be ever vigilant in watching out for those who cause divisions in the church. Those who seek to be divisive not only hurt the Church, but also serve as massive stumbling blocks to those with weaker faith.

As Paul concludes his letter I will conclude my section of this blog.  Thank all y'all for having indulged me has I have tried to share my thoughts (as flawed as they may be) on this wonderful text.  

As Paul finished, so shall I.  Glory be to God forever through His risen Son, Jesus the Messiah.  Amen.