1 Corinthians 4 Can We Say, “Imitate Me”?
Vs. 1-2 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
If someone (even our children and spouse) described us, I wonder if they would be able to say this about us- that we are ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. That is God’s plan for our lives- to reveal His glory to others. But in this journey as servants of Christ we may be called as the apostles were to be on display, to be a spectacle to the world, to be fools for Christ’s sake, to hunger, thirst, or even poorly clothed, beaten or homeless; to respond to all of this as these great men of God did- “being reviled, we bless, being persecuted, we endure, being defamed we entreat. (Vs. 9-13)
Seriously, how do we respond when we are corrected or mistreated; would our response be pleasing to Christ; do we really bless our enemies? I don’t know about you but I have a long ways to go! Ah!!!! But God never gives up on you or me. He’s still working on us. I was recently offended and I did indeed respond wrong. God surely knew that I needed this today. Thank you, Father, for being by Teacher, for the power and working of the Holy Spirit in my life and for your Word that daily and powerfully convicts me. I love Your Word. We need it soooooo much, every single day of our lives! We can’t live without it.
Do we so live that we too could say to others as Paul did, “Therefore I urge you, imitate me.” (Vs. 16)
1 Corinthians 5 A New Lump
Paul was teaching the church to discipline or purge those who were found guilty of things like fornication, drunkenness, extortions, covetousness and idolatry. We as an individual must also purge from our lives that which is not pleasing to the Father- Vs. 6 -7 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump.
We must be that “lump” is that sincere and truthful (Vs. 8). Have our lifestyles brought us to a place of coveting that which the world has, like making material possessions, our jobs, television or sports our idols? Do we find time for all that but cannot find time for God- that personal time alone with Him every single day in prayer and Bible study and also finding a place in which to serve Him? Are we really fulfilling the great commission? Are we ministering to the widows, the fatherless; are we loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Do we need to let go of some relationship in our lives? Vs. 13 Put away from yourselves the evil person.
Will we allow God to make us a “new lump”? What is it in our lives that is holding us back from being all that God knows we can be?
1 Corinthians 6 Temples
Do we really fully understand the concept that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit- it is not our own body. (Vs. 19) A price has been paid- by the blood of Jesus. Does that sentence we speak, the thought we think, that food we eat, that deed we do,- do they absolutely bring glory to God? Are they expedient (Vs. 12)? Things may be allowed or acceptable but are they the best God has for us?
I love Philippians 4:8 and I keep going back to it so many times in my life as well as share it with others over and over again. It is a standard by which to live. “Whatsoever things are true, noble just, pure, lovely, of a good report, if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, think on these things.
Let us measure this very hour, this day in light of this passage. God gives us His precious Word every single day of our lives to mold, to cleanse to correct and to perfect us.
1 Corinthians 7 Married or Single
It is made very clear that married couples are not to defraud (deprive- or refrain from physical relationships (except for a time of consent for prayer and fasting) so that Satan cannot tempt us in the area of self-control. To those who are single we are told, “It is good for a man not to touch a woman.” (Vs. 2) The single are blessed by having their whole lives to seek without distraction, the things of the Lord. Yet Paul warns that if one cannot refrain that it is better to marry (8, 9, 32-33).
To those who are married to a lost spouse, that lost spouse is sanctified and the children are made holy by the saved one. Vs. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the , unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, now are holy.
Whatever our calling is in life; wherever God has assigned and placed us we are to continue our calling with all diligence Vs. 17, 20 As God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called.
Where do you find yourself? In our calling can we really say that we are all God wants us to be? In our relationships, are we loving, giving, surrendered and selfless?
1 Corinthians 8 Knowledge or Love?
Vs. 3 Knowledge puffs up but love edifies.
Are we using our puffed up knowledge with those around us or is it charity that we practice?. God calls us to be humble, to serve and to give. Matthew 5:3, 16, 41-42 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him that asks of you, and from him who wants to barrow from you do not turn away.
When we offend someone, we sin against Christ. (Vs. 12)
Meat was a big issue. Look what Paul decides to do about that. Vs. 13- If food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
The weak Christians thought that they should not eat meat offered to idols, when in reality these false gods did not even exist. Yet Paul stood strong in doing whatever it took to reach others for Christ. He did not want anything in the world to stand in the way of reaching one for Christ or cause other to stumble. Today meat is not an issue, but just how far will we be willing to go to reach the hearts of those around us for His glory?
