1 Corinthians 6:19 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?"
In 21st century America, we have a hard time relating to the concept of a holy temple. However, when Paul wrote this, the idea was a crystal clear picture. The word Paul uses here for 'temple' is very specific and can refer specifically to the actual place where God dwelt within the temple. It doesn't refer to the whole building but rather to that specific spot, the Holy of Holies. In this illustration, we are not the outer court, or where sacrifices took place, rather we are that most sacred place where God chose to actually dwell.
The Holy of Holies was treated with nearly unimaginable honor and respect. Only one set-apart priest who had been chosen by God and been thoroughly cleansed was allowed inside, and only for a short time once a year. The other priests tied a rope around his foot just in case he fainted or was struck dead, that way they could pull him back out without having to enter themselves.
This ought to give us some idea of how God views our bodies. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. His residence belongs to Him. How should these facts influence my life today?
Thursday, April 5, 2018
Wednesday, April 4, 2018
Were and Are
1 Corinthians 6:11 "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God."
Prior to this verse, Paul goes through a long list of sins that is pretty shocking. But even more shocking is this verse. "And such were some of you..." Our past is ugly. Go down that list with an honest heart and you'll see that Paul is talking about you and me. Most likely not every one. But idolater is on that list, and there's not a human alive who hasn't placed something above God at some point.
But then Paul brings the hope! The key word there is "were". That list does not define the Christian anymore! That's what we "were", but now we "are" washed, we "are" sanctified, we "are" justified. Jesus has completed that saving work and we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Things are different now.
Have you accepted the change that Jesus has wrought in your life? Do you see yourself as currently and eternally washed, sanctified, and justified?
Prior to this verse, Paul goes through a long list of sins that is pretty shocking. But even more shocking is this verse. "And such were some of you..." Our past is ugly. Go down that list with an honest heart and you'll see that Paul is talking about you and me. Most likely not every one. But idolater is on that list, and there's not a human alive who hasn't placed something above God at some point.
But then Paul brings the hope! The key word there is "were". That list does not define the Christian anymore! That's what we "were", but now we "are" washed, we "are" sanctified, we "are" justified. Jesus has completed that saving work and we are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Things are different now.
Have you accepted the change that Jesus has wrought in your life? Do you see yourself as currently and eternally washed, sanctified, and justified?
Thursday, March 22, 2018
Sincerity and Truth
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?
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 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?
Friday, February 23, 2018
Power and Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:22-24 "For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God."
I've never noticed before how Paul shows how Christ is the thing that the Jews and the Greeks were both seeking even though they didn't know it.
The Jews knew history and the ancient prophesies. And even though Christ fulfilled all those prophesies, they still demanded a sign. Jesus' ministry was full of signs and wonders. Yet the biggest came when He rose from the dead, proving once and for all His deity and godhood. The Jews sought a sign, yet He was standing right in front of them - the Power of God Himself.
The Greeks were philosophers. They wanted some complex wisdom that they could really sink their teeth into. The Gospel (Christ crucified) was too simple. So simple in fact they saw it as foolishness. The Greeks sought wisdom, and yet the Wisdom of God Himself was standing right in front of them.
Jesus Christ is exactly what we need. God created us, God knows our every need. And if we'll let Him, Jesus will satisfy those needs like no one, and nothing else can.
I've never noticed before how Paul shows how Christ is the thing that the Jews and the Greeks were both seeking even though they didn't know it.
The Jews knew history and the ancient prophesies. And even though Christ fulfilled all those prophesies, they still demanded a sign. Jesus' ministry was full of signs and wonders. Yet the biggest came when He rose from the dead, proving once and for all His deity and godhood. The Jews sought a sign, yet He was standing right in front of them - the Power of God Himself.
The Greeks were philosophers. They wanted some complex wisdom that they could really sink their teeth into. The Gospel (Christ crucified) was too simple. So simple in fact they saw it as foolishness. The Greeks sought wisdom, and yet the Wisdom of God Himself was standing right in front of them.
Jesus Christ is exactly what we need. God created us, God knows our every need. And if we'll let Him, Jesus will satisfy those needs like no one, and nothing else can.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)