We Are God's5/15/2021 One of the many points the Corinthians were dividing and striving over was which apostle they followed and identified as their leader. Some wanted to be known as followers of Paul while others called themselves followers of Apollos. While following a great Bible teacher and Christian leader is not necessarily a bad thing in and of itself, it becomes spiritually unhealthy when it becomes part of one’s identity and a point of division. At the end of the day, we should not be known as or claim our identity as followers of Paul or Apollos, Billy Graham or Louie Giglio, or any well-respected, biblically sound Bible teacher or leader. Rather, we must be known first and foremost as followers of Jesus Christ, for we are God’s.
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Two Marks of Spiritual Immaturity5/12/2021 At the end of chapter two, Paul explains how Christians have become spiritually alive through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and how salvation brings a new birth of mind and heart. He closes those thoughts with the truth that “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). However, the Corinthians weren’t living out this truth. They were not walking as spiritual people with the mind of Christ, but rather, were living in the futility and carnality of the flesh.
At the beginning of chapter three, Paul makes some bold and pointed remarks about the Corinthians’ lack of spiritual maturity and petty divisions. Spiritual People5/8/2021 Spirituality is in vogue right now. People are fascinated with the spiritual dimension, seeking unity with their “inner beings,” enjoying meditation exercises that completely empty the brain of all conscious thought, and then claim to be spiritual. Thankfully, they don’t claim the title Christian, but prefer to be known as spiritual people.
But what does “spiritual” mean? In the context I was referring to, people often use it to signify the fact that they are seeking an experience that takes them outside of themselves and into a different realm of awareness. But is that what spirituality really is? Holy Spirit: Revealer of Mysteries5/5/2021 Before Jesus’ crucifixion and subsequent resurrection and return to heaven, He had a lengthy conversation with His disciples and promised them many things including a divine Helper Who would come after Jesus returned to heaven. This divine Helper is the Holy Spirit that would teach all things and remind them of the truths Jesus had already imparted. Throughout the New Testament, we learn more about the Holy Spirit that Jesus gave us to live and dwell within us, guiding us through life and directing us in the ways of God.
Here, in 1 Corinthians, we gain more insight into the role of the Holy Spirit, its place within the Trinity, and its important place in our lives as the revealer of God’s mysteries and divine wisdom. Wisdom for Our Glory5/1/2021 The wisdom of God and contrasting it to man’s wisdom has been a central message throughout the first two chapters of 1 Corinthians. Paul makes it extremely clear that the two are not even closely similar and that God’s wisdom actually confounds the logic and reasoning of man’s. However, after making his points regarding the futility of human thinking when trying to understand the things of God, Paul makes it clear that as redeemed sons and daughters of God we have been given a new mind and heart and can, therefore, understand the wisdom of God. And not only can we understand it, but God has given to us the ability to comprehend His wisdom for our glory.
The Simple Gospel4/28/2021 The message of goodness is simple. God never intended it to be complicated. It’s simple enough for a child to understand and believe. However, mankind often likes to complicate and muddle simple things, making them confusing, elitist sounding, and difficult to decipher. In ancient Corinth and its culture of intellect and high thinking, the simplicity of the gospel message stood out in stark contrast to the scholarly jargon and intellectual lingo of the day.
Boast in the Lord4/24/2021 As we discussed last time, God’s ways are often counter-cultural and opposite of what we might expect. Therefore, it should be no surprise that His values are completely different than ours. The things and people God uses to bring Himself glory and build His kingdom are often the least likely and most commonly overlooked. However, through this, He receives greater glory and reminds us that apart from Jesus we are nothing.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul continues to expound on the differences between the world’s wisdom and God’s, and at the end of the chapter he gives a nugget of truth that is crucial for us to understand and embrace. The Wisdom of God4/21/2021 God’s ways and how He designed His kingdom and church to operate often seem upside down and backwards to us. His purposes and commands run opposite of what our sinful human nature naturally wants to do and goes against the cultural norms of our fallen world. But it is through this that God’s glory is revealed and the beauty of the gospel is made evident.
Don’t Be Divided4/17/2021 Conflict is inevitable whenever two or more human beings together for long enough. However, as Christians, we must ensure that our conflict is resolved quickly and in a loving manner so that we will not become divided. Unity is the central topic of 1 Corinthians and one Paul tackles from various angles. However, here in he first chapter, he dives straight into one of the main issues the Corinthians were arguing over and addresses it with firmness.
Complete in Christ4/14/2021 Before giving heavy words of correction or discipline, it’s important start with a word of encouragement and affirmation. Paul knew this important principle and, therefore, started his letter with a powerful reminder that though the Corinthians had issues, they were still complete in Christ and firmly held and sustained by the mercy and grace of God.
Discipline is not pleasant, and in the midst of spiritual chastisement, the enemy can easily bring condemnation and discouragement into our hearts and cause us to question our position in Christ. God knows the enemy’s schemes and, thus, inspired Paul to open his letter with this beautiful word of affirmation for the Corinthians. |
Kristin RenferView the About page for more info on the author. Receive Posts via EmailArchives
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