Author: looking2jesus13

July 25

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 14

1 Corinthians 14:26, “What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.”

This verse serves as a fitting summary of the instruction given 1 Corinthians Chapter 14.  The main theme of this and the two preceding chapters is the proper use of one’s spiritual gifts.  The church in Corinth was experiencing a variety of problems.  Amongst them was the misuse of the spiritual gifts that God had distributed amongst the member of the body.  Some were exalting themselves according to their gifts, deeming some gifts to be of a greater importance than others.  Others were using their gifts for selfish reasons apart from love and their God-given intent—for the common good for the building up of the body.

The term “build,” and its related words and phrases appear 7 times in this chapter.  The verb translates the Greek “oikodomeo” which means literally “to build a house.”  In this context it “is used metaphorically, in the sense of ‘edifying,’ promoting the spiritual growth and development of character of believers, by teaching or example, suggesting such spiritual progress as the result of patient labor” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

Much of the instruction in this chapter is specific to the issue of speaking in tongues.  Tongues and interpretation of tongues were amongst the gifts that God had given to the early church (1 Corinthians 12:30).  But the Corinthians were misusing the gift, by seeking to draw attention to themselves. 

The main goal of God’s people gathering together is to build up the body (1 Corinthians 14:26). The building metaphor is used by both Paul and Peter to express the truth of what God is doing in the spiritual realm.  Every believer in Christ is a part of God’s building project (Ephesians 2:21b-22; 1 Peter 2:5). 

“Building up” is a corporate and cooperate endeavor.  We mutually relate to one another in love according to a “building up” mandate.  The gifts we’ve been given are for that specific purpose.  God wants for us to grow in Christ-like maturity and that happens as each member of the body uses his or her gifts and for the right purpose. “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, make the body grow so that it builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:15-16).

You may have heard of the “carpenter’s tool-belt.”  Brother Hammer served as the chairman.  The other members of the tool belt informed him that he must leave, because he was too noisy.  But brother Hammer said, “If I have to leave this carpenter’s shop, then brother Gimlet must go too.  He’s insignificant and makes a very small impression.”  Little brother Gimlet arose and said, “All right, but brother Screwdriver must go also.  You have to turn him around and around to get anywhere with him.”  Brother Screwdriver turned to the other tools in the belt and said, “If you wish, I will go, but brother Plane must leave too.  All of his work is on the surface; there’s no depth to what he does.”  To this brother Plane leveled his terse reply, “Well, then, brother Saw will have to depart too.  The changes he proposes always cut too deep.”  Brother Saw complained, saying, “Brother Ruler will have to withdraw if I leave, for he’s always measuring other folks as though he were the only one who is right.”  Brother Ruler then surveyed the group and said, “Brother Sandpaper doesn’t belong here either.  He’s rougher than he ought to be and is always rubbing people the wrong way.”

In the midst of the discussion, the Carpenter of Nazareth walked in.  He had come to perform his day’s work.  He put on His tool belt and went to the workbench to make a pulpit.  He employed the ruler, the saw, the plane, the hammer, the gimlet, the screwdriver, the sandpaper, and all the other tools.  When the day’s work was over, the pulpit was finished, and the carpenter went home.  All the accusations against each of these tools were absolutely true, yet the carpenter used every one of them.  No matter which tool He used, no other tool could have done the work better.  And the final product would be used to fulfill the purposes of God! 

We are all gifted by God to serve and to be used by Him in the building up of the body of Christ.  Use—don’t ignore or misuse—the gifts you’ve been given.

Our God has made us one —
His glory is displayed.
For as we build each other up
Our love becomes His praise.

July 24

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 13

1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

In 1977 a man named Robert Ringer self-published a book entitled “Looking Out for Number One.” It became a #1 bestseller and is still considered to be one of the top 15 self-help books of all time.  The book was based on the premise that since man’s inherent nature is to look out for number one, we need to do a better job of looking out for number one.  Here’s a quote, “We sometimes lose sight of the fact that our primary aim is really to be as happy as possible and that all our other objectives, great and small, are only a means to that end.” That phrase — “looking out for number one”—has since become a part of our culture’s vernacular.  But we don’t need a book to teach us how to be selfish…we’ve got the world, the flesh and the devil all encouraging us to live that way. 

The church in Corinth was rife with selfish behavior. They were not sharing in their observance of the Lord’s supper, and some were going away hungry. Some were suing their fellow believers. And they were not using their spiritual gifts to build up others, but to build up themselves that they might impress others. The truth was, that in looking out for #1, they had failed to look to the example of the true #1, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!

From birth, we are prone to such behavior.  Children don’t need to be taught to look out for number one in demanding things, as we are all born to selfishness. We now live in that time of which we were warned, in which people would be “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2).  The words “I, me, my, myself” predominate.  People live their lives according to a self-centered mindset, but this leads to frustration when the universe does not comply. As the Pogo cartoon once put, “We’ve met the enemy and it is us!”  What hope do we have for victory over the selfishness that lies so deeply rooted within us?

The Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us and in Him, a radically different manner of life was unveiled.  The One who was rich, yet became poor, didn’t seek His own when He ventured into this sin-needy place.  He didn’t seek His own as He perfectly subjected Himself to the Father’s will.  He lived according to the godly character that was innate to His being.  So, what do we discover as we examine His life?  He took on the form of a bondservant.  He came not to be served, but to serve.  He was accompanied by no royal entourage.  He had no home and no possessions.  He pursued no selfish dreams or ambitions.  He served others.  Purposefully.  Relentlessly.  Sacrificially.   He taught that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that’s the way He lived.  He was surrounded daily by people having needs, and He gave and gave.  He was conspired against and betrayed, and then arrested and put on trial–still He did not seek His own, for He had prayed, “Father, not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).  He was accused and convicted, beaten and crucified.  He was mocked and insulted as He hung on that cross, but He still did not seek His own, for He gave His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45)!  

How radically wonderful is Jesus’ example of selflessness!  On the merit of His willing sacrifice on the cross for our sins, we’ve been saved.  The cross speaks likewise to the merit of His manner of life, for He came not just to wonderfully save us, but to radically change us!  “Have this mind among yourselves,” wrote the Apostle Paul, “which is yours in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).  You’ve been called to a dramatically different manner of thinking and living!  He came to serve, He’s called you to do the same–in your marriage, family, workplace, school setting, church community–the question is not what other people can do for you, but how you can best serve Jesus in serving them?  Of course, it is only by the Spirit that we can do this!  But as He bears a selfless love in us, we’ve a unique opportunity in these increasingly narcissistic times, to bear a credible witness before a world of folks who need the Savior!

“But I am among you as the one who serves.”—Jesus

Make me a servant
Humble and meek
Lord let me lift up
Those who are weak
And may the prayer
Of my heart always be
Make me a servant
Make me a servant
Make me a servant today

July 21

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12

1 Corinthians 12:7, “To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14 have to do with the practice of spiritual gifts.  It is apparent, from Paul’s response to the Corinthians, that some were misusing their gifts.  Emphasis was being placed on the virtue of some gifts. Those lacking those gifts were deemed to be less important members of the body.  Gifts were also being misused for selfish reasons, hence the instruction regarding the preeminence of love in chapter 13.

Every believer in Christ has at least one spiritual gift.  Various terms are used to describe them.  The phrase “spiritual gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:1) translates the Greek “pneumatika” and emphasizes the source and nature of the gifts.  “Gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:4) translates the Greek “charisma” which is related to the Greek word for grace (Vine’s Expository Dictionary defines the term as “a gift of grace).  A diversity of gifts has been graciously provided to the members of the body by the triune God (1 Corinthians 12:4-6).  

Spiritual gifts are not the same as talents.  A talent is the ability to do a thing in the natural realm.  A spiritual gift is the God-given supernatural ability to do a thing in the spiritual—in contributing to the health and growth of the body of Christ.  For example: everyone is to show mercy (Colossians 3:12), but some have the gift of mercy (Romans 12:8).  Those having the gift of mercy have a unique, supernatural desire and ability to recognize and respond to needs.

There are four main passages in the New Testament which speak to the nature and practice of spiritual gifts.  1 Peter 4:10-11 speaks of two broad categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts.  Ephesians 4:11-12 gives a list of various gifted men.  Romans 12:6-8 provides a list of the various gifts.  Two lists of gifts are provided in 1 Corinthians chapter 12 (12:8-10 and 12:28-30).

Spiritual gifts have been distributed amongst the members of the body such that there might be mutual dependence upon one another (1 Corinthians 12:25).  The analogy of the human body is used by Paul to describe the proper functioning of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-26).  The human body, being fearfully and wonderfully made, is made up of many complimentary members.  Each part of the body, “presentable” or not, is important.  It is the same with the body of Christ—each gifted member serves an important function.  W. A. Criswell, “Each gift is needed and is not to be neglected.  Every member is essential to the body.  No great church became that way on a one-man ministry.  All, each, everyone, great, small, rich, poor, old, young, have essential parts.”

The “mutual dependence,” nature of the distribution of the spiritual gifts can be illustrated by the specific response of each gift to a particular need.  Imagine a family gathered together for a meal when someone drops the dessert to the floor.  One with the gift of mercy might say, “Don’t feel bad, it could have happened to anyone.”  Serving? “Oh, let me help you clean it up.”  Teaching? “The reason that fell is that it was too heavy on the one side.”  Exhortation? “Next time, let’s serve the dessert with the meal.”  Giving? “I’ll be happy to buy a new dessert.”  Administration? “Jim, would you get the mop?  Sue, please help pick it up and Mary, help me fix another dessert.”  Faith? “Maybe God didn’t want us to have that pudding.  If He does, He’ll supply something better by the end of the meal.”  Evangelist? “Say, that’s just like our lives before we trusted in Christ.  God has provided a way to clean up the mess.”

It is important that spiritual gifts be practiced in the right way and for the right reasons.  Spiritual gifts are to be exercised in love in serving others (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Peter 4:10), for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7), for the building up of the body (1 Corinthians 14:12), and unto the glory of God (1 Peter 4:11).

You can know what your spiritual gifts are.  Here are some questions that might help: 1) What is it that you most enjoy doing in serving the body of Christ?  2) What is it that you are best equipped to do?; and 3) In what kind of activity are you most effective in serving?  The key concern is that you endeavor to serve Jesus by serving others.  The Holy Spirit can lead you to serve in roles that are in keeping with your particular area of giftedness.  But it’s useless to steer a vehicle that is not moving.  You’ve been gifted to serve.  The body of Christ needs your gifts.  God is glorified when your gifts are well used (1 Peter 4:10-11). You’ve been gifted to serve.

God blesses every believer with spiritual gifts through which to serve Him. The body is healthy and growing to the extent all use their gifts and use them for the right reasons.

We are the Body of which the Lord is Head,
Called to obey Him, now risen from the dead;
He wills us be a family,
Diverse yet truly one:
O let us give our gifts to God,
And so shall his work on earth be done.

July 20

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”

My seminary thesis—written many years ago—was entitled “The Imitation of Christ: A Proposed Doctrine.”  Knowing what I now know, I’m thinking it definitely could use some revision.  The basic premises of the thesis are good, but the topic is transcendent and there will always be room for growth in understanding and practice.

The English Standard Version starts a new paragraph in verse 2, which means that the verse actually belongs to that which precedes it.  Verse 1 serves as a fitting summary of Paul’s instructions regarding the matter of eating food offered to idols.  Paul urged believers to give up their own rights and freedoms for the good of others in Christ (1 Corinthians 8:9).  Christ Himself walked in that kind of self-sacrificial manner (Romans 15:2-3; Philippians 2:1-8).  The Apostle Paul followed in His steps. 

The terms used here are important.  The word translated “imitators” is the Greek “mimetes” which means literally to mimic.  It was used regarding imitating the conduct of someone.  Our English word, “mimic,” is derived from the Greek term and means “to imitate closely; to resemble.”  The term “be” is a present tense imperative.  We are therefore commanded to ongoingly follow the example of Christ in the way we live.  Paul set himself forth as one who was doing the same and whose life was therefore, in that respect, worthy of emulation (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; Philippians 3:17).

The “imitation of Christ” is a doctrine not much written about.  It has wrongly been perceived by some to be something that we can attain according to our own wisdom and self-effort.  One of the most widely circulated books related to this theme is Charles Sheldon’s book, “In His Steps.”  That fictional account tells the story of a church that adopts a “What Would Jesus Do?” (WWJD) perspective.  Life was improved in the community as church members endeavored to apply Christ’s example to their everyday lives.  But the premise of the book gives man too much credit.  It supposes that we have, in ourselves, the wisdom, compassion, and discernment to make such choices.  That thematic question, “What Would Jesus Do?” gave birth to movement.  And for a time, Christian bookstores were filled with WWJD bracelets, journal covers, etc.

But the imitation of Christ is not something we do or attain to; it is something that happens as a matter of course when we walk by the Spirit.  A better question than “What Would Jesus Do?” is “What Would Jesus Have Me to Do?”  The foundational corollary in the example of Christ to us is His willing submission to the Father (John 5:30).  By the Spirit alone are we brought into such a submissive relationship and a corresponding conformity to Christ in all other respects (1 John 2:5-6).  It is as we walk by the Spirit that Christlikeness is borne in us (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:18f; Colossians 3:16f).  We are called to more than a “monkey-see, monkey-do” kind of imitation.  By the Christ-instructing and exalting work of the Spirit, we are called to a radical inside-out transformation that changes both the way we think and live (John 16:13-14; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Christ is our example in every virtuous matter: in how we are to walk (1 John 2:5-6), lead (1 Peter 5:1-4), think (Philippians 2:3-8), love (Ephesians 5:1-2, 5:25; John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:16; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7), forgive (Colossians 3:14), serve (Mark 10:43-45; Philippians 2:3-8), suffer (1 Peter 2:21-23), speak (1 Peter 2:22), etc.  It is by a miracle of divine grace we are enabled to follow in the radically divergent footsteps of Jesus.  Christ’s presence is us brings about a glorious transformation.  “I can see Jesus in you” is amongst the most precious things we might ever hear.  That God would work such a change in us speaks to the glory of His grace! 

“I can see Jesus in you” are amongst the most beautiful words any of us could ever hear.

May the mind of Christ my Savior
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say
May His beauty rest upon me
As I seek the lost to win
And may they forget the channel
Seeing only Him.”

July 19

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 10

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Trials are an inevitable part of life and are of various kinds (i.e., common troubles, Job 5:7; relationship problems, Philippians 4:1-4; health issues, Philippians 2:27; temptations to sin, 1 Corinthians 10:13; sin failures, Luke 22:62; concern for loved ones, 2 Corinthians 11:28; loss of possessions, Hebrews 10:34; persecution, 1 Peter 4:14; and death, 1 Thessalonians 4:13; etc.

The Greek word translated “temptation” means to test or prove.  It has no negative connotation in itself.  Whether it leads to good or bad depends on our response. A trial/temptation resisted serves as a test in which one’s faithfulness is proved (1 Peter 1:7).  A temptation succumbed to, becomes to us a source of spiritual defeat and discouragement (James 1:14-15).

No temptation comes to any of us beyond that which is common to man.  There is no trouble or trial experienced in which a person can say, “this is something altogether new, and no one has ever had to deal with something like this before.”  Indeed, no temptation exists that Jesus Himself has not already triumphed over (Hebrews 4:15, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin”).  We might feel sometimes as if “no one knows the troubles I’ve seen,” but Jesus knows—He faced them all.

It is helpful to remember that God is not oblivious to our circumstances.  He is omnisciently aware of all of our comings and goings (Psalm 139:1-6).  He is faithful—we can always count on Him—to not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability.  He mercifully sets a limit to our troubles.  Job’s troubles were limited according to God’s decree (Job 1:12; 2:6).

The Plimsoll Line–named after Samuel Plimsoll who argued in the 1860s of the need for such a marker– is the name of a special marking, also known as the International Load Line, that indicates the draft of the ship and the legal limit to which a ship may be loaded in order to safely maintain buoyancy.  The Plimsoll line of any specific ship is established by the ship’s designer.  Ships are not to be loaded beyond that point.  Our designer, God, sets a limit (a Plimsoll Line) to our burdens.  Sometimes it might seem that we’ve been given too much to bear, but it is in such instances where we experience previously unexplored dimensions of God’s strengthening and sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 12:9-10).  God is well-pleased and able to supply to us “mercy and…grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16; James 1:5; 1 Peter 5:7).

Not only does God providentially work to limit our burdens, but He also provides for “the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).  God will not set us “between a rock and a hard place” such that we have no choice but to sin (James 1:13). 

Andrew Murray offered this wise counsel on how to deal with difficult situations: 1) Realize that God brought me here.  It is by His will I am in this place; in that fact, I will rest; 2) Realize that He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child; 3) Realize that He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons that He intends me to learn, and working in me that grace He means to bestow; and 4) In His good time He can bring me out again — how and when — He knows.  So, I am here…By God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”

Andrew Murray

God is not oblivious to the temptations that you face.  He knows.  He cares.  He can use them in your life to accomplish HIs divine purpose for you.  He can even work to bring a blessing out of them.  Our part is to trust and obey.

“So when trials and temptations press down on you, take courage. Remember, your heavenly Father knows the limits of your ability to stand up under life’s pressures. Draw on His strength; no temptation will ever be greater than that!” — Richard De Haan

There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!
None else could heal all our souls’ diseases:
No, not one! no, not one!
Jesus knows all about our struggles;
He will guide ’til the day is done:
There’s not a Friend like the lowly Jesus:
No, not one! no, not one!

July 18

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9

1 Corinthians 9:24-27, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.  They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”

The Apostle Paul frequently used athletic analogies when speaking of spiritual matters (Philippians 3:14; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:5, 4:7).  The metaphor was especially relevant to the Corinthians since the city of Corinth hosted the biennial Isthmian games, which were at the time, second in fame only to the Olympics.

The Isthmian games were widely celebrated.  Every two years, they were held in a great stadium located near the city.  Only “freeborn” men could enter the games.  They were required to engage in ten months of preparation.  They had to be able to certify to their faithfulness in training.  They were to keep themselves morally clean in the period preceding the contest.  The contestants were led about the arena by a master of ceremonies while he shouted out in a loud voice to all the spectators inquiring of them if they had some matter in which they could accuse a contestant of any crime or wickedness.  For thirty days before the contests, a rigid period of preparation was observed.  Each contestant was announced and introduced by name and country.  The victor in the games was crowned.  In the earlier days, it was with a garland of parsley.  Quite a prize!  That was later changed to a pine wreath.  That is what they sought after and exercised self-control and discipline to obtain.  To be sure they became quite famous in their hometowns—and were sometimes even written about–but their winnings were all of the perishable variety.

Even today there are countless examples of athletes who sacrifice much through discipline and self-control that they might excel in their particular athletic endeavor.  Successful athletes are the ones who take their sport seriously.  The requirements of their training impact their sleep, diet, exercise.  Their freedom to do as they please are limited.

That which is true in the physical holds true in the spiritual.  The Christian life is compared to a race.  A prize (reward) awaits the winner (2 Timothy 4:8).  The contestants (believers) don’t compete against each other, but against the obstacles that would work to hinder each one (Hebrews 12:1).  Holding on tightly to one’s rights and freedoms is a sure way to lose.  It is self-control—the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)—that is necessary.  “Self-control” translates a Greek word meaning “strength.”  Vine’s Expository Dictionary comments on the meaning of the term, “The various powers bestowed by God upon man are capable of abuse; the right use demands the controlling power of the will under the operation of the Spirit of God.”  By the means of Spirit-imparted self-control, the will of a man is brought into submission to the will of God.  In this matter, restraint and discipline—in both the negative and positive sense—is exercised. 

Paul was a great example of all of this.  Like an athlete, he single-mindedly pursued the goal (1 Corinthians 9:26, “So I do not run aimlessly”; Philippians 3:13-14).  In exercising self-control and discipline, Paul endured hardship (2 Corinthians 6:1-10), gave up his right to receive material support (1 Corinthians 9:1-18), and went out of his way to relate to various groups of people (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)—that he “might win more of them” (1 Corinthians 9:19).  In his single-minded pursuit of a worthwhile goal, he serves as a good example for us to follow (Philippians 3:17).  How are you doing in the race?  Are you pressing on to the goal?  Is there evidence in your life of the Spirit-imparted self-control enabling you to make wise choices?  Are you faltering?  “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of faith,” we find strength and encouragement that we might “run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1-3; Philippians 4:13).

Spirit-imparted discipline and self-control are essential if we are to run in the race in a God-pleasing way, as we keep our focus on Jesus.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brace to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

July 17

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 8

1 Corinthians 8:1, Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.”

1 Corinthians chapters 8 through 10 have to do with the subject of eating food offered to idols.  This was a matter of direct relevance to the believers in Corinth because of the sacrifices made in pagan temples.  Often, meat from the temples was offered for sale in the marketplace.  Some felt that it was okay to eat such meat, knowing that “an idol has no real existence, and that ‘there is no God but one’” (1 Corinthians 8:4).

Not all possessed that knowledge (1 Corinthians 8:7).  The pagan worshippers of that day believed that they could placate the gods and gain their favor through such sacrifices.  Some of the Christians in Corinth likely struggled in their efforts to completely sever themselves from their old ways.  If they were to eat food offered to idols, their conscience would be defiled (1 Corinthians 8:7).

In this regard, the realization that an idol isn’t real is a good thing, but is of no value if unaccompanied by love.  This kind of “knowledge puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).  The believers in Corinth had an issue with prideful arrogance (1 Corinthians 3:21; 4:6, 8, 18-19).  The phrase “puffs up” translates a Greek term meaning to blow up or inflate.  The Corinthians had an inflated view of themselves, especially when measured against their inability to express love. 

1 Corinthians 13:2 speaks to the vanity of this kind of knowledge: “And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”  It matters not how much one’s ego is inflated by one’s supposed “knowledge,” apart from love, it is of no value.

“Love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).  Knowledge puffs up self, love builds up others.  Love, God’s kind of love, is self-less and sacrificial in nature.  It concerns itself with the spiritual well-being of others.  According to Christ’s own “mind” (i.e., way of thinking), love does “nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count(s) others” to be more significant (Philippians 2:3-4).  Though all things are lawful, “not all things build up” (1 Corinthians 10:23).  In love, Paul admonished the Corinthians to set aside their own freedom to eat for “the good of his neighbor” (1 Corinthians 10:24).

The knowledgeable but loveless response to one’s fellow believer was of grave consequence.  “For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?  And so, by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died” (1 Corinthians 8:10-11).  The callous disregard for the weak brother would work to destroy his conscience.

The Corinthian problem was that they were not relating to one another according to a “the brother for whom Christ died” way of thinking.  They were dividing over particular leaders, suing one another in the court, celebrating gross immorality, leaving some hungry in the Lord’s Supper, inappropriately using their spiritual gifts apart from love, etc. etc.  The brother or sister callously disregarded was a brother or sister for whom Christ died.

The truth that, “the brother for whom Christ died” is doubly instructive (1 Corinthians 8:11).  Every believer is instructed to love his brothers and sisters inasmuch as they are loved by Christ Himself (John 13:34-35).  And, as Christ loved by sacrificing Himself, the members of His body are called upon to do the same (Romans 15:2-3, “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.  For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me’”). 

Knowledge puffs up self, love builds up others. 

We are God’s loved ones, the Bride of Christ our Lord,
For we have known it, the love of God outpoured;
Now let us learn how to return
The gift of love once given:
O let us share each joy and care,
And live with a zeal that pleases Heaven.

July 14

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 7

1 Corinthians 7:17, “Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned him, and to which God has called him.”

There was a dairy next door to the church where I pastored.  Occasionally, malcontent cows would escape and make their way to the church premises, assuming the grass to be greener on the other side of the fence.  We’d call the dairy, and they’d put the cows back where they belong.  To my eyes, the grass looks the same on either side of the fence, but the cows were thinking otherwise.

Sometimes we humans act like those cows.  God would have us to be content in serving Him in the situation He has placed us.  Instead, we sometimes long for something else.  Paul was not telling the Corinthians that they should remain in an illegal or immoral situation (i.e., a thief was not to remain a thief), but outside of that they were to accept that which God had assigned and faithfully serve Him in that situation.

Several areas of discontent prevailed amongst the Corinthians.  Some wanted to change their marital status—from single to married, from married to single, from having an unbelieving partner to having a believing one (1 Corinthians 7:8-16).  Some were slaves and wanted to be free (it should be noted that slaves in NT times were usually well treated).  Some were Jews but wanted to appear as Gentiles.  Some were Gentiles and wanted to become like Jews (1 Corinthians 7:17-24).

It was to that attitude of discontent that the Apostle spoke.  The believers in Corinth were to be less concerned about their particular circumstances and more concerned about faithfully serving God in whatever circumstance they found themselves.  We sometimes fall into a “If only (fill in the blank)” way of thinking.  If only I had a different job (marriage partner, church, location, etc.), then I would be happy.  But as Chuck Swindoll once pointed out, life is less about our circumstances and more about how we respond to them:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do.  It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.  It will make or break a company… a church… a home.  The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past… we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  We cannot change the inevitable.  The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.  And so it is with you… we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Chuck Swindoll

It has been said that we should endeavor to “bloom where we are planted.”  God has planted you in a particular place, so bloom (bear fruit) in that place.  OT Joseph is a great example of this principle.  He was sold off into slavery and became the personal servant to Potiphar, “and the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands” (Genesis 39:3).  He was falsely accused and put in prison and the Lord “gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Genesis 39:21).  God orchestrated his release and his eventual promotion to the position of Prime Minister of Egypt (Genesis 41:377-45).  No matter his circumstance—be it a slave, prisoner, or prime minister—Joseph faithfully served and glorified God in that situation.

God sometimes moves people from one job or location or church to another.  And it is good for us to carefully and prayerfully seek God’s leading in such situations.  In the meantime, in whatever setting we find ourselves; we need to bloom where He has planted us.  There is no place on planet earth that is without need for the beauty and fragrance of Christ’s loving presence made manifest through His people.  Be content.  Be obedient.  Bear fruit in good works.  God can use you in your present calling, whatever it is, to make Him known.

The grass isn’t necessarily “greener on the other side.”  God has sovereignly placed and provisioned you that you might shine His light in that little part of this dark world.

There’s surely somewhere a lowly place
In earth’s harvest fields so wide,
Where I may labor thro’ life’s short day
For Jesus, the Crucified.
So, trusting my all to Thy care,
I know Thou lovest me!
I’ll do Thy will with a heart sincere,
I’ll be what you want me to be.

July 13

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6

1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you…”

The context of this blessed proclamation was Paul’s corrective instruction to the Corinthian believers regarding their destructive practice of settling disputes between brethren.  Seeking revenge or compensation, their practice was damaging to the cause of Christ. Disputes between believers should be settled by believers (1 Corinthians 6:1, 5).  It would be better “suffer wrong” or “be defrauded” than to attempt to settle such grievances before the lost (1 Corinthians 6:7-8).

At the heart of the Corinthian problem was confusion regarding their identity.  In salvation, they had been born again.  Every believer is a “new creation” in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), but the Corinthians weren’t acting like that.  Their lives, standards, and motives were no different than those of the lost.  They were called to a holy, separate manner of life, but their actions evidenced no such distinction.  They were inclined to seek justice in the courts of the lost because they didn’t understand that they had been called out of the darkness and into God’s kingdom.

They were settling their disputes “before the unrighteous” (1 Corinthians 6:1), but the unrighteous have no relationship to “the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10).  The lives of the unrighteous are characterized by the practice of a laundry list of various vices — “neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).  The language used to describe each vice speaks not to the occasional sin, but the habitual practice, which would then work to characterize a person.  The list of sinful identities is not exhaustive, but sufficient to encompass all.  Every son and daughter of Adam can find something here to relate to (Romans 5:12).  Paul emphatically affirmed the truth that the unrighteous are not destined to heaven (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5).  But “Christ Jesus came into the world to save” such folks (1 Timothy 1:15).  Praise God that in His grace, none in that offensive list stand beyond the reach of God’s capacity in Christ to save (1 Timothy 1:16).

“And such were some of you” (1 Corinthians 6:11).  How blessed is that word “were!”  An alteration has taken place in the life of the believer in Christ.  There is a “before” and “after.”  There is a way you “were!”  And there is a way you “are!”  Paul had previously identified his readers to be “saints” (1 Corinthians 1:2).  They possessed that identity not through religious self-improvement, but through a decisive one-for-all act.  God Himself had intervened on their behalf and caused that to happen (“And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” — 1 Corinthians 1:30).  Ephesians 2:4 speaks to the same manner and expresses–succinctly in two words—the means by which the believer has been delivered — “But God.”  The believer is one who has had a “but God” experience.  That intervention itself was founded in the rich mercy and great love of God (Ephesians 2:4).

As a result of God’s intervention, those believers had experienced (past tense) three wonderful realities — “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified” (1 Corinthians 1:11).  The word “washed” speaks to the cleansing of the soul experienced in regeneration (Titus 3:5).  The precious blood of the lamb, unblemished and spotless, had worked to purify their souls.  “Sanctified” speaks to that work of God through which the believer has been set apart from the love and power of sin.  “Justified,” is the positive counterpart to the word “unrighteous.”  It speaks to judicious act whereby God has declared the believer righteous on the basis of Christ and His sacrifice (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 5:1).

In the name of the Lord Jesus and Christ, by the power of the Spirit of God, the believer in Christ has experienced a radical transformation and now possesses a new identity in Christ.  He is not now who he once was.  His new identity calls for an altogether new manner of life (Romans 6:3-4).

New creatures in Christ are called and empowered to walk in newness of life.

Once I was lost in sin’s degradation,
Jesus came down to bring me salvation,
Lifted me up from sorrow and shame,
Now I belong to Him;
Now I belong to Jesus,
Jesus belongs to me,
Not for the years of time alone,
But for eternity.

July 12

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 5

1 Corinthians 5:6, “Your boasting is not good.  Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”

The shocking report of what was happening in the Corinthian church ultimately found its way to the Apostle Paul.  A man had his father’s wife, his stepmother.  He had taken her in and was having sexual relations with her.  This kind of incestuous behavior was something clearly forbidden in the Old Testament (Leviticus 18:7-8, 29) and even under Roman law.  That a man in the church, a professing believer, was doing such a thing was bad enough.  That the church was refusing to address the matter was even more grievous.

The church ought to have mourned.  They should have been sorrowful in their hearts over what had taken place.  The deed worked to tarnish the reputation of the church and hinder the cause of Christ.  It was inconsistent with the person and work of Christ, who had sacrificed Himself that He might deliver them from such evil deeds (1 Corinthians 5:7).  Left unaddressed, the matter would eventually work to spread a destructive influence throughout the body.

Instead of mourning, the believers in Corinth were arrogant and boastful (1 Corinthians 5:2, 6).  They were shockingly arrogant (1 Corinthians 3:21; 4:6, 8, 18-19).  Perhaps they misconstrued grace for license (Jude 4; 1 Corinthians 6:12; 8:1; 10:23).  No matter the reason, their arrogance worked to blind their eyes to the evils of the blatant sin that was occurring right in their midst.

The Corinthian believers boastfully tolerated the matter.  They were doctrinally naïve as to the correct response.  Paul’s “do you not know” question is the first occurrence in this epistle of this repeated phrase (1 Corinthians 6:2, 3, 9, 15, 16; 7:16; 9:13, 24).  We might say, “You spiritual dunderheads!  Don’t you realize?”  The Corinthian error is an all too common one.  It is supposed in our day that doctrine is not important.  Doctrine is a dirty word to far too many Christians.  But doctrine and duty are inseparably linked.  One cannot live in Christ as he is supposed to if he doesn’t know what he is supposed to do.

What was it that they didn’t know?  They didn’t realize the far-reaching implications of their failure to address the matter — “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” (1 Corinthians 5:6).  The people of that day would use fermented dough in the baking of bread.  When bread was about to be baked, a small lump was pulled off and set aside for later use.  That leaven would then be set aside in water and would later be kneaded into a fresh batch of dough.  Leaven in Scripture represents influence, usually—but not always (Matthew 13:33) — evil in nature.  Left unchecked, the evil deed would exercise a permeating influence on the body.  Others would naively suppose such sins to be “no big deal.”  Ultimately, the refusal of the church to intervene would work to generate a culture of general disregard for sin. 

Paul exhorted the church to “purge the evil person from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:12).  For the sake of the body, they were to discipline the erring member.  Other passages speak to the nature of such loving discipline (Galatians 6:1).  It is carefully and prayerfully undertaken with the goal that the person might repent and be restored to fellowship (Galatians 6:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7). 

In his book “If you Bite and Devour,” Alexander Strauch commented on this matter, “When a member is unrepentant and persists in sin, fellowship with that person is broken and he or she must be excluded from the church.  Such severe discipline is intended to protect the church from moral and spiritual corruption.  It also awakens the sinner to the seriousness of his (or her) sin.”  This chapter reminds us of the dangerous consequences associated with the tolerance of sin, either on a personal or corporate level.  “Blessed are those who mourn” over it (Matthew 5:4).

Alexander Strauch

“Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, as to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace.”—Alexander Pope

Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.