1 Corinthians 5:8 "Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth."
Paul is telling the church here to do some hard things. Looking at the situation from the outside, it seems obvious what they should do and a bit ridiculous that they didn't do it to begin with. But you have to put yourselves in their shoes. Paul refers to this man living in sin as a "brother". That's the kind of relationship that is difficult to walk away from. Yet Paul's command was clear.
That's why this verse is so key. If we're confronted with a situation like this where separation from a brother is necessary, we must insure that our actions have their motivation in sincerity and truth. God cares deeply about relationships, after all He created them! Yet our relationship with Him always comes first. And if any malice or wickedness is getting in the way of that relationship we must purge it out.
Are there any relationships in my life that are blocking my fellowship with God or other believers? How can I deal with that situation in sincerity and truth?
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Thursday, March 15, 2018
Kingdom Power
1 Corinthians 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
What is God's kingdom? It is His authority and right to rule over His creation. Within that kingdom is the territory and the people. This is what we are commanded to "seek first". But Paul is telling us God's kingdom is not just a concept to talk about. It is a real, living, dynamic force.
The word "power" here has a long definition, but it really sheds some light on the concept: "Strength power, ability. Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. Power for performing miracles. Moral power and excellence of soul. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth. Power and resources arising from numbers. Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts."
The root word behind our word "power" is also where we get the word "dynamite". God's kingdom is not a mild, quiet Sunday service. The very definition involves action, exertion, performing miracles, influence and resources of Heavenly riches and superior numbers. The power of an army on the march.
Don't be timid, Christian. Seek God's kingdom, God's authority and power in your life, first. When God has the authority in your life ("Thine is the kingdom"), then He will demonstrate His might through you ("Thine is the power"), and then He will get all the glory ("and the glory"). Amen!
What is God's kingdom? It is His authority and right to rule over His creation. Within that kingdom is the territory and the people. This is what we are commanded to "seek first". But Paul is telling us God's kingdom is not just a concept to talk about. It is a real, living, dynamic force.
The word "power" here has a long definition, but it really sheds some light on the concept: "Strength power, ability. Inherent power, power residing in a thing by virtue of its nature, or which a person or thing exerts and puts forth. Power for performing miracles. Moral power and excellence of soul. The power and influence which belong to riches and wealth. Power and resources arising from numbers. Power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, hosts."
The root word behind our word "power" is also where we get the word "dynamite". God's kingdom is not a mild, quiet Sunday service. The very definition involves action, exertion, performing miracles, influence and resources of Heavenly riches and superior numbers. The power of an army on the march.
Don't be timid, Christian. Seek God's kingdom, God's authority and power in your life, first. When God has the authority in your life ("Thine is the kingdom"), then He will demonstrate His might through you ("Thine is the power"), and then He will get all the glory ("and the glory"). Amen!
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Envy, Strife, Division
1 Corinthians 3:3 "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"
A person walking in the Spirit of God looks and acts vastly different from someone walking in the flesh. In this verse, Paul lists 3 things that will not be found in someone who is walking according to the Holy Spirit - envy, strife, and division.
Envy has the idea of a contentious rivalry, trying to outdo someone else for pride's sake. Strife is more than just disagreeing, it is a bitter, resentful attitude toward those we disagree with. And division is pretty self-explanatory. The word comes from two words that mean "two" and "stand", literally you have a stance, I have a stance, and they are not one or unified, they are two separate things. This doesn't mean we won't ever disagree with fellow believers, it means that we should have unity on the fundamentals of the Gospel.
Am I walking in my flesh as a carnal man? Or am I being led by the Holy Spirit, seeking God and walking in His love, peace, and unity?
A person walking in the Spirit of God looks and acts vastly different from someone walking in the flesh. In this verse, Paul lists 3 things that will not be found in someone who is walking according to the Holy Spirit - envy, strife, and division.
Envy has the idea of a contentious rivalry, trying to outdo someone else for pride's sake. Strife is more than just disagreeing, it is a bitter, resentful attitude toward those we disagree with. And division is pretty self-explanatory. The word comes from two words that mean "two" and "stand", literally you have a stance, I have a stance, and they are not one or unified, they are two separate things. This doesn't mean we won't ever disagree with fellow believers, it means that we should have unity on the fundamentals of the Gospel.
Am I walking in my flesh as a carnal man? Or am I being led by the Holy Spirit, seeking God and walking in His love, peace, and unity?
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
One Thing
1 Corinthians 2:2 "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."
There is a beautiful simplicity to the Christian life. So many times we try and complicate things because it just seems like how it ought to be. Accepting and dwelling in simplicity is harder than attempting something complex and difficult. All the "-ologies" that surround the Bible have their place in understanding good doctrine. However, we must not let them impede the simplicity of the Gospel.
Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. That's all. The Son of God, dying on a cross for me. Love. Unmatched, unfathomable love. If this is our focus, our goal and driving force, if this is constantly on our mind and ever flowing from our lips, how would that change your life?
There is a beautiful simplicity to the Christian life. So many times we try and complicate things because it just seems like how it ought to be. Accepting and dwelling in simplicity is harder than attempting something complex and difficult. All the "-ologies" that surround the Bible have their place in understanding good doctrine. However, we must not let them impede the simplicity of the Gospel.
Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. That's all. The Son of God, dying on a cross for me. Love. Unmatched, unfathomable love. If this is our focus, our goal and driving force, if this is constantly on our mind and ever flowing from our lips, how would that change your life?
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