Wherefore

1 Corinthians 10:14 "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry."

The word "wherefore" always has a purpose. It's there to make us look back at the verse before and by that to help us understand the "because" of the command being given. Verse 13 is a wonderful promise that most people know very well:

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

Such a beautiful promise from our Heavenly Father! But now, after reading it, because of what was stated here - flee from idolatry. Because God is faithful, because He won't allow us to be tempted above what we are able, because He will make a way of escape, because all of that - flee idolatry.

God's promises are designed to prompt us to action! Idolatry is a creeping sin that tries to camouflage itself. Are there any actions, beliefs, or habits in my life that are idolatry in disguise? Examine your life today and then flee to your Heavenly Father.

Run to Obtain

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain."

Paul doesn't make it immediately clear what prize he is running to obtain. However, the context of this verse gives us a clue. I'm sure there could be more than one translation of what he's talking about, but I'd like to offer 2 possibilities.

First - the salvation of souls. In the preceding verses, Paul is laying out the extent he's gone to in order to see others come to Christ.

Second - a sincere, authentic Christian life. In the verses following 24, Paul talks about what he does in order to make sure he is not being a hypocrite.

Whether it's one of these, or something else, the point remains - this Christian life is not a walk in the park. It is a race. And we need to figure out what prize we're going for, and then run to win.

What prize am I running for in my Christian life today?

Necessity is Laid Upon Me

1 Corinthians 9:16 "For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!"

Here Paul is looking back on the preaching that he has done. He's trying to make clear to the church that what he has done is not something to be put up on a pedestal as an unattainable goal. But rather what he has done is what he was called to do and therefore, empowered by the Holy Spirit, he just did it!

Is there something in my life that I know God has laid upon me to do? It's not something I'd merely like to do, but there is a necessity to do it. What is that one thing that I know I must do in this life for Christ?

For Whom Christ Died

1 Corinthians 8:11-13 "And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."

This is a big deal. As Christians, we have incredible liberty in Christ. Yet, as always, along with that freedom comes a responsibility. Our command is always to love God first, and then others as we love ourselves. So even though we have liberty, we also have responsibility to show love to our fellow believers.

It's interesting to note one of the reasons Paul says we should not make a brother offend - because Christ died for them. This really puts a new perspective on all our interactions with those around us. The person who cuts you off in traffic, Christ died for them. The rude person who demonizes you on social media, Christ died for them. Christ died for them and loves them as much as He loves me! They are my neighbor and I have a responsibility to love them.

How do I view those around me? As random, weak people? Or as brothers and sisters who Christ died for?

Benevolence

1 Corinthians 7:4 "Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband."

Benevolence is not a word we often use these days. However, its meaning is quite easy to understand. It means good will or kindness. It finds its root in a compound word meaning to be "well-minded" or to be reconciled and in agreement.

I've been thinking a lot of the husband-wife relationship lately. So many couples that I see appear from the outside to tolerate each other, yet there does not seem to be any benevolence in the relationship. Benevolence, kindness has a connotation of tenderness. It requires care and thought beyond the normal course of things.

Jesus was very clear that the command to "Love your neighbor as yourself" applied to everyone, everyone is your neighbor. So husbands and wives ought to love each other as themselves. But they are called to go above and beyond that. Add to that love, benevolence.

Temple

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?

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?