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TODAY’S READING: PHILIPPIANS 1-4

 

OVERVIEW:  

Christ our LIFE (chapter 1); Christ our PATTERN (chapter 2); Christ our RIGHTEOUSNESS (chapter 3); Christ our SUFFICIENCY (chapter 4).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we get started in the Book of Philippians, let’s take a few minutes to talk about the THEME of the Book.  What is this Book really about?  What was God’s purpose in putting the Book of Philippians into the canon of scripture?  And how are we to determine that?

 

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received in terms of Bible study is, “Learn to emphasize what God emphasizes.”  You see, God doesn’t have a volume control on His voice (i.e. Word), and He didn’t use a highlighter to accentuate His major themes when He was inspiring the men who actually wrote it down.  What He uses to make His point is repetition.  That’s how God emphasizes His point.  It is amazing the things that can be gleaned by simply observing the repeated words, phrases, ideas and concepts in a Book of the Bible.  For example:

 

In the Book of Philippians, the word “rejoice” (or some form of the word – rejoice, rejoiced, rejoicing), is found 12 times, and the word “joy” is found six times.  This is an incredibly positive Book!  It is obvious that Paul had an extremely positive attitude when he wrote this letter.  In fact, so positive that you might get the idea that he’s in about the third month of a six month sabbatical, and he’s just chillin’ out in some incredible five-star oceanfront condo in some resort city along the Mediterranean coastline – the sun is shining, and he’s sipping coffee and eating pistachio nuts out of a hammock, and life is just good!

 

But there’s another word that keeps popping up in this Book that lets you know that that isn’t the case, it’s the word “bonds.”  Paul keeps talking about “my bonds.”  In fact, he talks about them four times in chapter one alone!  And what he’s referring to is the fact that far from being in some resort Mediterranean city on the beach, he’s actually in prison, in “bonds,” or in other words, chained to a Roman guard!  And what’s interesting about this “sunny disposition” that shines all the way through this Book, is that he was not in prison for doing something wrong, so that Paul could just come to grips with the fact that his being there was the due consequence of what he had done and he would just have to make the best of it.  No, the fact is, he hadn’t done anything wrong, and was actually there because of a false charge!

 

And it wasn’t that he was able to keep his positive attitude because he had only been there a couple of days, and so he was still able to keep himself psyched up,  because after all, this would be a cool story for his monthly missionary letter and all.  No, check this out.  By the time of the writing of this letter he had been in prison for five years!

 

And it wasn’t that Paul was over-the-hill, and had already passed his window of effectiveness anyway.  No!  When he was cast into prison his ministry was at its absolute pinnacle!  These five years he had been in prison should have been the best, most productive years of his entire ministry!  And yet rather, day after day he’s in bonds, chained to a Roman guard.  And it wasn’t that he was in prison because that dirty, nasty devil had caused lost people to lie about Paul, and orchestrate some devious plot to have him cast into prison.  Do you know why he’s there?  He’s there because of gossip that began and spread amongst Christians!  (You can read all about it in Acts 21.)  He is in prison because of a rumor that was being spread by believing Jews, who were still hanging on to and were zealous for the law.  That’s why he’s there!  And I’m going through all of these things so you will understand that there was absolutely no human explanation for Paul to have the attitude of rejoicing that he has as he’s writing this letter!  He has every right humanly to be bitter, angry, disillusioned, frustrated, depressed and worried.  And that’s important to note, because chances are real good, that in some way, shape, or form, every one of us feels, at least to some degree, that we’re in a prison.  Not a prison with bars, as in Paul’s case, but a “prison” nonetheless.  Perhaps there are things that have taken place in your life that have left you feeling that you are “locked in.”  They’ve “hindered” you, or “restricted” you in some way.  They’ve “tied” your hands, so to speak.  The bars are invisible; the chains can’t be seen with physical eyes, but they’re just as real as the ones that were restricting Paul!

 

Perhaps you’re in a job you absolutely hate, but you see no other options, and it’s a ball and chain to you every weekday of your life. Or maybe you don’t have a job at all, and feel that you’re in a prison of a dull, unfulfilled life.  Or maybe yours is a prison of loneliness.  You feel imprisoned because you’re single; or maybe you feel imprisoned because you’re married!  Or maybe like Paul, you have been the victim of gossip, and the hurt you have inside of you has left you feeling that your freedom has been taken away, and it’s bound you up by your own emotions.  Or perhaps you’ve been the victim of some injustice, and your mind keeps you behind bars because you can’t stop thinking about it.

 

I don’t know what kind of prison you may be in with its invisible bars, but both the human writer and the divine Author of the Book of Philippians want to let you know that it is possible to be in a prison, and find freedom, and joy in life and ministry, regardless of your circumstances, and no matter who was responsible for making them that way – and even if they never change!

 

And the key to living in that kind of victory is the other key point of emphasis God makes in this Book:  our attitude! The word “mind” is found 10 times in this little Book.  The word “think” is found five times, and the word “remember” is found once.  In all, 16 times God is trying to get us to see that joy is a choice we make because of right thinking.  And that’s the theme of this Book.

 

Some of you have faced circumstances in your life liked we mentioned above that have left you discouraged, depressed and/or imprisoned. In chapter one he tells us, we can find joy in our CIRCUMSTANCES because Christ is our LIFE.  And the key verse in the chapter is verse 21 where Paul says, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

 

Some of you have had people who have injured you in some way, and you wrestle with bitterness and anger. In chapter two he says, we can find joy in our RELATIONSHIPS because Christ is our PATTERN.  And the key verse in chapter two is in verse 5 which says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”

 

Some of you wrestle with your flesh – worldliness on one hand, and good deeds on the other, but both driven by the same carnal source: the flesh!  And in chapter three Paul says, we can find joy in our WALK because Christ is our RIGHTEOUSNESS.  And the key verse in this chapter is verse 9 where Paul says, “[That I may (v.8)] be found in him, not having mine OWN righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

 

And bless your hearts, some of you are gripped by worry and fear. In chapter four Paul says, we can find joy in our ADVERSITIES because Christ is our SUFFICIENCY.  And the key verse in chapter four is verse 13 where Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

 

As you can see, the Book of Philippians is an extremely practical Book that addresses real-life issues, and points us toward the joy that is found in and through Christ alone.

TODAY’S READING: EPHESIANS 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:  

The believer’s position in Christ (chapter 1); the believer’s salvation by grace through faith (chapter 2); the revelation of the mystery of the church (chapter 3); the believer’s walk in the world (chapters 4-6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

There are a zillion things that could be said about the Book of Ephesians and should be said, but there is simply not space to do so in this setting:  We will only be able to establish the “big picture” at best.  Perhaps the best way to see the big picture of this Book, is by applying it to one of the most controversial passages, not only in this Book, but the entire Bible.  That passage is found in chapter one, verses 4 and 5:  “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.”

 

Now, based on where you land on the interpretation of these verses (and verses such as these), you are labeled a “Calvinist” or an “Arminian.”  Several hundred years ago, one position was popularized by John Calvin, and the other by Jacob Arminius.  The basic Arminian position when it is used today, is that in terms of salvation, “whosoever will may come” (Rev. 22:17).  The basic Calvinist position as it is expressed today, is that only the quote – unquote “elect,” will be saved; meaning that in eternity past, God chose, according to His sovereign grace, those who will be saved” – and in the final analysis, those are the only ones who will be saved!  (Most who hold to this position would rather say they believe in the doctrine of “Sovereign Grace” or “Sovereign Election,” than to say they believe in Calvinism. Okay, we’ll go with it.) 

 

There are many others, who if they were asked if they were an Arminian or a Calvinist, would answer “yes,” meaning that they believe both.  Their reasoning is, that there is no doubt about it, the Bible teaches that “whosoever will may come”, and yet, that there is no doubt about the fact that the Bible also teaches that believers are “chosen in him before the foundation of the world.”  When asked how they reconcile the two seemingly contradictory statements, they may answer, as did Spurgeon, “Friends don’t need to be reconciled!”  They believe God put both in the Bible, so they both must be equally true, and though they don’t come together in the human mind, they do come together in the mind of God, so rather than force them to come together, let God be God, because after all, His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are far above our thoughts, and the secret things belong to the Lord, so just accept it, and go on! This reasoning is usually followed with the illustration that goes something like, as we approach the gates of heaven there’s a sign over the top that says, “whosoever will my come.”  As you walk through the gates on into heaven, and you look back above them, however, the sign says, “Chosen before the foundation of the world.” 

 

That “middle-of-the-road” approach is rather convincing, and sounds pretty spiritual, and even humble, but none of those things are the real issue!  The issue is always the same: Is it BIBLICAL?

 

So we come to verse 4 of Ephesians 1, and what does it say?  “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world.”  Someone says, I mean, how clear can it be? My goodness, just let the Bible be the Bible!  Okay! Let’s!

 

First of all, if this verse is teaching that sometime before the foundation of the world, God had already chosen each of us who know Him, the verse is actually teaching that we were “in Christ” before the foundation of the world.  Now that poses a huge problem!  Because the Bible clearly states that prior to our salvation, we were:

            “IN ADAM”!  (I Cor. 15:22)

            “IN TRESPASSES AND SINS”! (Eph. 2:1)

            “IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH”! (Eph. 2:3)

            “IN THE WORLD”! (Eph. 2:12)

 

Are we to believe that in eternity past (“before the foundation of the world”), God chose us “in Christ,” and then somehow we came out of Christ, and were found “IN ADAM, IN TRESPASSES AND SINS, IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, and IN THE WORLD,” so the He could put us back “IN CHRIST” again?  That just doesn’t make any sense, y’all!

 

The fact is folks, Ephesians 1:4-5 must be understood within the very first principle of Bible study: CONTEXT!

 

Most people come to these verses and read “He hath chosen US in him,” and assume that the “US” means “individuals chosen to salvation.”  In the context of the Book of Ephesians, that “US” is “the Church” in a collective sense, “the Body of Christ”!  That’s what the whole Book of Ephesians is about and why it is placed in the Bible!  To teach us that the Church is the Body of Christ!

 

Notice verse 10 of chapter one:  “That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things IN CHRIST.”  And to what time period is that referring?  The church age, right?

 

Yes, Ephesians 1:4 teaches that God made a very definite decision before the foundation of the world. But what was He actually “CHOOSING”?  Individuals to salvation?  Absolutely not!  Before the foundation of the world, God chose that the church, the Body of Christ (all of “US” who exercised our will and by faith, called upon Him to save us) would be different than any people who ever lived.  God chose that our salvation would place us “IN CHRIST.”

 

Do you realize that the only people who have ever been “IN CHRIST,” are the people saved in the church age?

 

Do you realize that as smooth as Noah, Daniel and Job were (Ez.14:20), they were never “IN CHRIST” a day in their lives?!  That was something God decreed before the foundation of the world that would be totally unique to believers in the church age!

 

Read carefully in Ephesians 3:1-12, and you will see that “the eternal purpose which he purposed IN CHRIST Jesus our Lord” (3:11), was that it would be the “CHURCH” that would know “the manifold wisdom of God,” having been placed “IN CHRIST.”

 

Those of “US” who are believers in the church age are the only ones who have had the distinct privilege of being “holy and without blame before him in love” (1:4)!  Is that because we’re so much more holy and blameless and loveable than Old Testament saints? No!  It’s because we have been placed “IN HIM”!

 

Do you realize that the only ones who have been “predestinated unto the adoption of children” (1:5), are those of “US” who are believers in the church age?

 

And do you see now why it is that believers in the church age are eternally secure, and why that was not true for Old Testament saints, and will not be true for Tribulation saints (Matt. 24:13)?  It is because we are the only ones who are placed “IN HIM,” and our righteousness and acceptance with God is not based on what we do, but in Who Christ is (II Cor. 5:21; Eph. 1:6)!

 

This is really very simple when you simply place the verses in their context, and stop reading into them things that aren’t there! 

 

TODAY’S READING: GALATIANS 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:  

The priority of grace in Paul’s message and life (chapter 1); the priority of grace in Paul’s ministry (chapter 2); the preeminence of grace over law (chapters 3 and 4); the priority of standing in liberty and walking in the Spirit in grace living (chapters 5 and 6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Understanding the key issues facing the churches inGalatiacauses the six chapters of this Book to be some of the most practical in the entire New Testament.  The fact is, the 1st century “Galatian” problem is alive/and well in Christianity in the 21st century!

 

Let’s begin with a little background information.  Whereas the other letters written by Paul to local churches were addressed to one specific local church in one specific city (i.e.Rome,Corinth,Ephesus,Philippi, Colosse, and Thessalonica), this letter was written to a group of local churches in a particular region.  That region, known to us as modern dayTurkey, was known in the 1st century asGalatia. It was this area that was settled by the Gauls of France, and thus became known asGalatia, or “Gaulatia,” if you will.  The local churches in this region were established by Paul and Barnabus on their first missionary journey.  The specific churches were the churches in the cities of Derbe, Lystra, Iconium andAntioch(of Pisidia) – see Acts 13:14-14:23.

 

Obviously, these churches were comprised of Gentiles believers who had responded to Paul and Barnabus’ proclamation of the gospel which is received by grace through faith in Christ alone.  After receiving Christ, Acts14:22-23 lets us know that time was spent by Paul and Barnabus “confirming the souls of the disciples” in each of these churches, and making sure that “they had ordained them elders in every church.”

 

It was just that fact that so blew Paul away!  Not long after Paul and Barnabus had grounded these churches in the truth, false teachers began infiltrating these churches with what Paul called “another gospel.”  Much to Paul’s utter shock and dismay, the “disciples” (Acts 14:22) and “elders” (Acts 14:23) in these churches dropped Paul and his gospel like a hot potato, for a false, powerless, and even damnable “gospel” (Gal. 1:6-9).  Paul, literally, could not believe it!  He writes, (with his own hand by the way (6:11) – in other words, Paul didn’t dictate this letter for someone else to write as he usually did.  He was so passionate about the content of this letter, he wanted to write it himself, in spite of his obvious eye problems –4:15c.f.6:11), but he writes using some of the strongest language and rebuke found in any of his letters.

 

These false teachers are known historically as “Judaizers” or “legalizers.”  They were Jews, who like Paul before his conversion, were incredibly zealous for Judaism, or Jewishness, and thus, the title, “Judaizers.”  Their basic point of attack upon these Galatian believers, was that at Gentiles, if they really wanted to be saved, and/or really wanted to stay saved, and/or really wanted to be “spiritual,” they would have to “become like them.”  In other words, they would have to first become a Jew, and live under the ramifications of the law (and thus, the title “legalizers” or “legalists” — “legal” having to do with the law).  Their teaching is epitomized in the words of Acts 15:1 – “Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.”

 

Paul’s reaction to this false teaching is what prompted the writing of this scathing letter to those churches.  Paul is absolutely livid with these false teachers, and the Galatian believers as well!  He says that those who preach this false gospel give evidence that they are worthy of hell (1:8-9), and those who are swayed by it give evidence that they have not only been misinformed or deceived, but actually, “BEWITCHED” (3:1)!  They were acting as if they were under a Satanic spell. 

 

The content of this letter is of utmost importance, because the Judaizers of the 1st century were not the last of those who propagate that there is SOMETHING MORE that you need to DO in order to BE saved (i.e. be baptized, take communion, etc.), STAY saved (i.e. “Be like us. Dress like this, not like that; wear your hair like this, not like that; listen to this kind of music, not that kind; you can go to these places, but not those; etc., etc., etc.”) Understanding Paul’s message is vital in keeping us off of the endless treadmill of legalism. 

 

What the Galatians didn’t understand, as is the case with most believers today, is that they were already as SAVED as they would ever be, and already as SPIRITUAL as they would ever be, and it’s not because of what WE DO or DO NOT DO, it is based totally on WHO CHRIST IS, and what He has DONE! We were “made the righteousness of God in Him” the moment we were saved (II Cor.5:21).  It’s hard to get more righteous than that!  We were made accepted with God the moment we were placed in Christ – as accepted as He accepts Christ, His beloved Son (Eph. 1:6). And it’s hard to be more accepted than that!  And again, this is all totally apart from what WE DO or DO NOT DO!!! That lesson is foreign to most believers, and comes hard!  The difference, however, is the difference between legalism and a life of flesh-walking, and true, genuine biblical Christianity and a life of walking in the Spirit!

 

The message of the Holy Spirit through Paul to the Galatian believers and to believers today is, Christ, through His death, set us free from the law!  Paul asks in 3:2 and 3, “This is only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?  Are ye so foolish?  having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?”  The obvious answer, is that it was through faith and by His Spirit that we were saved, and were placed on the road to maturity.  Based on that reality, Paul admonishes us to first, learn to STAND — “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hat made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage” (5:1), so that we can learn to WALK — “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (5:16).

 

Understanding the practical ramifications of the Book of Galatians for new believers cannot be overemphasized.  It will literally save 20 years (conservative estimate) of frustration, as the flesh tenaciously seeks and strives to produce what can only be produced by the Spirit (5:22-23) through the faith of Christ (2:16, 20 – see also Phil. 3:9; Rom. 3:20-22).  Pray that God will open your eyes to the wondrous truth (Psa. 119:18) in this incredible little Book of Galatians.

 

 

 

TODAY’S READING: II CORINTHIANS 8-13

 

OVERVIEW: 

The grace of giving (chapters 8-9); Paul defends his ministry (chapter 10); the false religious system (chapter 11); Paul’s final appeal to the Corinthians (chapters 12-13).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Today’s reading provides the clearest and most complete principles on giving in the entire New Testament (chapters 8-9).  The Corinthians had committed to supplying funds to help the church inJerusalem, but at this point, they had not yet followed through on their commitment.  Paul writes to exhort them to fulfill their promise, and in the process, lays out the New Testament pattern for giving.  Note some of the principles gleaned from these two chapters:

 

1. Giving should result from us already having given ourselves to the Lord. (8:5)
2. Jesus Christ is the ultimate picture of giving.  We will never give more than our Lord has already given. (8:9)
3. We should be a generous giver. (9:6)
4. We should purpose in our hearts what we believe the Lord wants us to give. (9:7)
5. We should give cheerfully.  In other words, not because we have to but because we want to. (9:7)
6. Giving is a proof of the sincerity of our love. (8:8
7. It is the grace of God that allows us to give sacrificially.(8:1-3)
8. God’s grace can meet any need we have. (9:8)

 

We also read the simplest explanation of God’s grace in 8:9:

            G God’s

            R Riches

            A At

            C Christ’s

            E Expense

 

The ultimate gift is the grace that God has bestowed upon us.  Perhaps grace is best understood by comparing it to mercy.  Grace is God GIVING us what we DID NOT deserve.  Mercy is God NOT GIVING us what we DID deserve.  Take a minute to meditate upon the truth of 8:9.  Meditate upon the price that Christ paid to purchase our redemption.  Are our lives living out this truth to the lost world around us?  May we see giving, not as a burden, but as an opportunity to spread the grace of Christ to the lost world.

 

Chapter 10 show us that even though the majority of the church repented of the things Paul addressed in the first epistle, there appears to be some who still questioned Paul’s authority to say these things.  As Paul defends himself and his authority, he was able to keep in perspective who the real enemy was.  This is the context for 10:3-5.  It’s easy for us to get to thinking that people are the enemy.  We must remember that our warfare is not against flesh and blood.  Our tendency is to begin to compare ourselves to the people we’re ticked off at, or that did something to wrong us.  However,10:12lets us know this isn’t wise.  That’s how the world thinks.  We need to remember that our standard is not a human standard, but rather, the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word.  In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter how many people commend you or don’t commend you.  What matters is whether the Lord commends you!

 

Chapter 11 is a key chapter to understanding how our enemy operates in this world.  What Satan attempts to do is the same thing he did against Eve.  Satan wants to corrupt us from the simplicity in Christ.  If you think about Adam and Eve, their “Bible” was pretty simple.  In fact, it really only had two verses: “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth,” and “don’t eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.”  I mean how simple is that? Yet, Satan comes along, and by questioning the Word of God, is able to corrupt Eve from the simplicity of God’s command.  This is the same thing Satan wants to do to us.  How does Satan do this?  He sends people who preach “another Jesus”, or try and get you to receive “another spirit”, or preach “another gospel”.  We usually think Satan spends his time in the bars, crack houses, or other places we deem as wicked.  God reveals in this chapter, however, that Satan spends most of his time at church!  Satan’s key work is within the sphere of religion.  In fact, he still transforms himself into an angel of light.  Satan’s ministers (11:15) portray themselves as ministers of righteousness.  They look good, they sound good, they’re well-respected, but they proclaim a message that will not save, and they corrupt the simplicity found in Christ.  A modern day example of such a minister is no doubt Robert Schueller.  Now I’m sure he is a nice man.  He looks good on television.  He sounds genuine and sincere.  He talks about the love of Jesus and the emptiness of life without Jesus.  There’s just one problem – he doesn’t believe what the Bible says.  He believes those that haven’t heard the gospel can be saved by being a faithful follower of whatever it is that they believe.  He believes sin is a bad self image.  This is a man that looks like a minister of righteousness who is really a minister of   Satan.  We must judge every message and messenger, not by externals, but by the pure Word of God.

 

Chapter 12 faces us with a very sobering question:  Do we really believe God’s grace is sufficient for us?  I mean, when really it comes right down to it and we’re going through infirmities, reproaches, persecutions and distresses, do we really believe God’s grace is sufficient, or do we really just want the bad stuff to stop?  What if it is during the tough times that the life of Christ shines the brightest in you?  Let’s face it, we don’t really want to have to say “for when I am weak, then am I strong.”  And yet, we can look around our own local church and see people that have had to go through infirmities, or reproaches, or persecutions, or distresses, and we have seen the life of Christ shine through them.  Do we really want to say to God, “Lord, do whatever you want to do with my life so that Your glory may be revealed to those around me”?  After all of these years, I still pray that prayer with fear and trembling.  The things of this world still have an appeal to me even though I know they are vanity.  Some may be able to say, “As long as my family has their health I don’t care what else we have.”  However, what do you say when God says it’s through your infirmity, or the infirmity of one of your loved ones, that I want to reveal Myself?  And what do you say when it’s through a loved ones death that God wants to shine through your life?  Is His grace still sufficient?  May we seek to know Him so well, love Him so much, and be so desirous for His glory that we can honestly say, “Lord, your grace is sufficient for me.”

 

The parting words of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians in chapter 13 should be something we try to remember to do each day: examine ourselves.  How often do we really take stock of how we’re living our lives?  It’s not enough to simple do it on Sundays.  We need to be judging and examining ourselves on a daily basis.  Am I ministering how God wants me to minister?  What kind of ambassador of Christ was I today?  Am I looking forward to His return?  Do I love Him?  Am I living proof that His grace is sufficient?

 

TODAY’S READING: II CORINTHIANS 1-7

 

OVERVIEW: 

The comfort of God (chapter 1); instruction concerning forgiveness (chapter 2); the new covenant (chapter 3); the minister of the new covenant (chapter 4); the new covenant ministry (chapter 5); the new covenant temple (chapter 6); a restored church (chapter 7).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Chapter 1 reveals that God is not just the God of comfort, but the God of ALL comfort (1:3). We may not always feel His comfort.  We may even wish He would speed up His comfort.  But He is our God, and He will comfort us in our walk with Him.  The question is, what will we do with that comfort?  Will we just thank God and go about our way? Or, will we respond biblically and look for others who need the very comfort we have received.  We need to be aware of the people God has placed around us, and comfort them when they need comfort.

 

Verse 12 of chapter one is a powerful verse regarding the life of the Apostle Paul.  His rejoicing is in the fact that in good conscience and by God’s grace, he has lived his life in simplicity and godly sincerity.  Is that the testimony of our lives?  Can we say with a clear conscience that we have lived a life of simplicity and godly sincerity toward God and others?  We get so busy doing all kinds of different things, when in reality; only a few things really have eternal significance.  Paul knew that, and lived his life accordingly.

 

Chapter 2 and verse 4 reveals the motive behind Paul writing the first letter toCorinth.  He wasn’t writing because he was mad at them or because they were embarrassing him.  He wrote with a heavy heart because he loved them and wanted to see them walk in the truth.  Apparently, they responded correctly and even dealt with the man living in sin in chapter 5 of I Corinthians.  However, even though the man had repented, they weren’t sure whether they should allow him back into their fellowship.  God’s instruction was to take back the repentant man.  The goal of dealing with sin is always restoration.  Even when someone has to be removed from the church, the goal is always for them to repent so they can be reconnected with the body.  It also important to note, that this is also one of Satan’s devices to gain control over us.  Verse 11 reveals that not being willing to forgive opens up an opportunity for Satan to get a stronghold in our lives.  How many believers have unknowingly allowed Satan to gain an advantage over them because they were unwilling to forgive?  Have you?

 

In chapter 3, Paul declares that believers are actually living epistles that are known and read of all men.  If you wanted to see what was important to the Apostle Paul, all you had to do was read his life.  People were important.  He spent his life investing the Word of God into the lives or people, whether they were saved or lost.  Are there people in whom you have invested the Word of God that are now living epistles that can be read of all men?  What is the direction and priority of our life?  We have been made able ministers of the New Testament.  Not because we’re anything special in and of ourselves.  It’s because when God saved us, He put His Spirit in us and “made” us able ministers!  You may not feel you have very many talents or gifts, but God says that if you are saved, you are an “able minister”.  Do you believe God?  In fact, do you realize that you and I have a more glorious ministry than Moses had?  Can you believe that?  We don’t realize that we are ministers of a more glorious covenant than what Moses had.  We don’t realize that, because we typically look at life from a human perspective, rather than a divine perspective.  What God wants is found in verse 18.  He wants us to behold Him through His Word, so that we can be changed into His image.  Is that what you want?

 

In chapter 4, Paul teaches us that there is a price to be paid for being conformed into the image of Christ.  Our lives will be troubled; we’ll be perplexed; we’ll be persecuted; we’ll be cast down; death will work in us; our outward man will perish; we will have affliction.  That’s certainly a great recruiting tool, isn’t it?  The fact is, there is a price to living a life surrendered to Christ, and allowing Him to minister through us.  It’s not something we bring on ourselves, but it will happen because this world system is against Christ. 

 

Note however, that when we see with spiritual eyes, we see the other side.  Though we are trouble, we won’t be distressed.  Though we are perplexed, we won’t be in despair.  Though we are persecuted, we won’t be forsaken.  Though we are cast down, we won’t be destroyed.  Though our outward man is perishing, our inward man will be renewed day by day.  Though our lives are dying, the life of Christ will be revealed through our bodies.  One perspective brings a life of eternal meaning, significance, and reward, while the other, though it may look and feel nice, is vanity.

 

Chapter 5 reveals that we will give an account of our service to the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ.  This is not a judgment of sin; that took place atCalvary. This is a judgment of our ministry after becoming believers.  This is the same judgment talked about in I Corinthians 3.  How often does the Judgment Seat of Christ come into your thinking?  Paul said that it was one of the motivating factors in his life and ministry (5:10-11).  Think about the context of this chapter.  Chapter 3 talks about how God has made us able ministers of the New Testament.  Chapter 4 talks about the life of God’s minister.  At the end of chapter 4, God reveals that we are His ambassadors and have been given the ministry of reconciliation.  We have been made a minister, acting on God’s authority, of bringing people into a right standing with God (reconciliation).  Now, based on the context, what do you think is going to be the key issue at the Judgment Seat of Christ?  While most believers are making sure they don’t smoke, cuss, chew, drink, etc. (all important things), the real issue at the Judgment Seat is much larger than all of those things.  The questions we need to be asking ourselves in preparation for that judgment are:

 

• How profitable am I in my ministry of reconciliation?
• How am I fulfilling my role as God’s ambassador?
• Am I actually ministering as a New Testament minister?

 

How humbling a thought in chapter 6 and verse 1, that we can receive the grace of God in vain.  Does that mean someone can lose their salvation? No.  However, we can waste the grace that the Lord has bestowed upon us.  How?  The key is the context.  Think about everything we have come through in chapters 3-5.  When we neglect the ministry of reconciliation; when we don’t walk as God’s ambassadors and when we’re not ministering as a New Testament minister, we are wasting the precious gift of God’s grace.  We should follow the example of the Apostle Paul in verses 4-13, and in all things, approve ourselves as the ministers of God. 

 

Chapter 7 lets us know that the church atCorinthhad repented when they received the first letter from Paul.  In this context, God describes two kinds of sorrow.  First, “godly sorrow” that brings about true repentance.  Secondly, “worldly sorrow” that brings about death.  Worldly sorrow is the type of sorrow that Judas had.  He knew he had done wrong, but he never turned to Christ to deal with his sin, and ultimately, he killed himself.  Godly sorrow is what the Corinthians had.  It brought them to true repentance.  They saw their sin the same way God saw it.  That’s the response God is looking for in us when we sin.  Most people will feel bad when they do wrong.  The question, however, is whether it is godly sorrow or worldly sorrow.  Sadly, many times it is a sorrow that never causes us to turn from our sin and to seek God; we just don’t commit that sin for awhile to appease our conscience.  However, we’ve never really dealt with that sin biblically.  How do we know when!  it is godly sorrow and true repentance?  Look at verse 11.  True repentance will bring about carefulness, a clearing, and indignation against that sin, along with a fear of God, a vehement desire to follow God, and zeal to live differently.

 

TODAY’S READING: I CORINTHIANS 12-16

 

OVERVIEW: 

The body of Christ (chapter 12); the priority of charity (chapter 13); the boundaries for spiritual gifts (chapter 14); the resurrection of the dead (chapter 15); structure for orderly giving (chapter 16).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we move into chapter 12, Paul begins to correct the ignorance of the Corinthians regarding spiritual gifts.  Remember the context – they think they’ve got it all together (4:10).  They certainly didn’t think they were ignorant about spiritual gifts.  I mean, they were using their gifts; they were having services where the “Spirit” was literally overwhelming people.  The only problem was, it wasn’t the Spirit of God!  God actually uses sarcasm in the passages we will look at today to rebuke the Corinthians.

 

God establishes three keys to spiritual gifts in verses 4-6:

1. There are different gifts.

2. There are different ways to administer your gift.

3. There are different ways to operate your gift.

 

However, there is one overarching principle guiding spiritual gifts.  Verse 7 states that the purpose of the gifts is to “profit withal”.  In other words, the purpose of your spiritual gift is not for your benefit; it is for the benefit of the whole body.  God then illustrates this point by using the example of our human body.  The purpose for our hand is not for the benefit of our hand, it is for the benefit of our whole body.  Through this illustration, God also emphasizes the necessity of all believers within a local church.  Every member is necessary.  Sometime believers can get the idea, or live with the feeling, that they are not as important as other members of the body.  But the point of the passage is that every member of Christ’s body is just as vital as any member of our own human body is to us.  Because of that fact, as a body we are to care about one another; we’re to rejoice when others rejoice and weep with those in sorrow.  Because we so often live with a preoccupation concerning ourselves (II Tim. 3:1-2), instead of caring about one another, we’re often jealous and/or envious of one another (Gal.5:26).

 

Pay close attention to 12:28-31.  The obvious answer to the questions being asked is “No!  We do not all have the same gifts. We each have different gifts.”  Also look back at 12: 7-11.  Do we get to choose our gift? No, the Holy Spirit imparts our gifts to us as He chooses.  Verse 31 is one of those sarcastic phrases Paul uses to rebuke the Corinthians.  First, he states their ignorance, and then he reveals an example of their ignorance.  These people were coveting certain gifts (the “showy” gifts) even though we have no say in our gift and it is imparted by the Holy Spirit at His will.  God is using sarcasm to illustrate immaturity in coveting “the best gifts”.  God then reveals where their focus should be: not on what gifts I want to have, but rather, on a more excellent way.  More excellent than what?  More excellent than ignorantly trying to obtain different gifts or showing off the gift you do have!

 

The placement of chapter 13 is key to understanding spiritual gifts.  Never lose sight of the context when studying scripture.  Verses 1-3 of chapter 13 are a direct confrontation in the face of the Corinthians.  They have the appearance of “spirituality” in their lives and in their church, but it is only an appearance.  They’re consumed with the show of spirituality. God reveals that it doesn’t matter how much you speak in tongues, it doesn’t matter how many gifts you have and how well you use them, it doesn’t matter how much you give, if you don’t have charity in your life, it is all WORTHLESS.  Before we condemn the Corinthians, why don’t we try to paraphrase this into something that is a little more applicable to us:

 

Though I am heavily involved in discipleship and even participate in the365 Days of Pursuit, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I carry the correct Bible, and can divide it into the correct dispensations, and though I’ve gone through all of the layers and levels of training offered in my local church, if I don’t have charity, I’m just full of information and knowledge.  And though I discover my spiritual gift, and do all kinds of things so that everyone else in the church thinks I have it all together, if I don’t have charity, I am really nothing more than a fat-headed Laodicean.

 

We can and do pursue a lot of things.  Paul says that the excellent thing to pursue is charity.  If we live our whole Christian life without ever really completely being able to identify our spiritual gifts, but we live a life of charity, we will have lived the life God wants us to live.  God then describes what biblical charity looks like.  How does your life line up with verses 4-7?  That is how we can really determine where we are spiritually.

 

God completes this chapter by again revealing that charity is superior to the gifts themselves.  In fact, He says there’s going to be a time when the “showy” gifts the Corinthians were so zealous for, will cease and disappear.  We do not have the time in this tool to get into all the reasons the sign gifts have ceased.  However, it is important for each of us to have a basic understanding of why this is true, and if you are sketchy on this issue, you would do well to study it for yourself and talk with your discipler, or your pastors about it. In a nutshell, there were miraculous gifts given as signs in the period of time before the N.T. had been completed, for the purpose of authenticating both the messenger and his message (See Heb. 2:3-4).  After the N.T. was completed, they ceased to have a biblical purpose. 

 

Chapter 14 is a chapter that is often lifted out of its context (chapters 12-13), along with individual verses that are lifted out to form a faulty doctrine.  For example, we have all heard someone say that the gift of tongues is a heavenly language that draws a person closer to God.  Where does this come from?  Most will show you verse 2 (speaking to God) and then verse 4 (edifies himself).  One question will help you understand this chapter in its proper context – What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?  Are they for the benefit of the individual, or for the benefit of the body?  We have already clearly seen that God emphasizes that they are for the body, not for the individual.  Paul again is using their arguments (i.e. “I just speak to God and edify myself.”) in a sarcastic way to reveal their ignorance.  Also, notice in verse 1 how God separates the term spiritual gifts from prophecy.   There certainly is a spiritual gift of prophecy, but that is not what God is not talking about in this chapter.  God is talking about the ability of every believer to prophesy (i.e. to proclaim the truth of God and His Word).  Remember, does everyone have the gift of prophecy?  No, but every believer can prophesy (proclaim the truth of God)!  This is similar to the fact that there is a spiritual gift of giving and a gift of faith.  However, every believer is called to give, as well as to exercise faith.

 

God spends the first half of chapter 14 showing the priority of speaking His truth in a manner in which people can understand, rather than trying to show off some spectacular gift.  The second part of the chapter deals with the proper use of gifts within the body.  The basic principle in verse 40 is that things are to be done decently and in order.  Any church doing things in a crazy manner (most charismatic churches) are directly disobeying God’s Word.  Even at the time of the writing of I Corinthians when God was still using these sign gifts to authenticate the messenger and his message, there was a specific prescription they were to follow to maintain “decency” and “orderliness”:

 

1. In a service, only two, or at the most three were permitted to speak in tongues.  Also, they were to speak in turn, not at the same time.  (14:27)
2. Someone was permitted to speak in tongues only if there was someone present with the gift of interpretation of tongues as well.  Otherwise, tongues were forbidden. (14:27-28)
3. Prophesying was likewise to be one at a time, but there was no limit to the amount of people who could prophesy (proclaim the truth).  (14:29-31)
4. Women are not permitted to speak in tongues or prophesy in the service. (14:34-35)       

 

Because the N.T. is complete, the sign gifts are no longer necessary.  But even if they were operative today, I know of no churches that follow the clear instructions given for their use in this chapter.  Certainly there are churches that do, I’m just saying I know of none.  It’s one thing to believe all the gifts are still operating today.  It’s quite another not to follow God’s clear instructions for their use.

 

But not only were the Corinthians messed up on spiritual gifts, in chapter 15, Paul shows that they were also messed up on the resurrection.  This chapter clearly lays out the priority of Christ’s resurrection.  Everything we believe is predicated on the fact that Jesus Christ physically rose from the dead.  If that did not happen, we are the most deceived, disillusioned, pitiful and miserable people on this planet.

The fact is, however, Christ did rise from the dead!  And just as in Adam we were born sinners; in Christ we are born righteous.  As in Adam all die; in Christ we are all made alive.  As in Adam we were born in his image; in Christ we are born in Christ’s image.  As in Adam we were born with a body like his; in Christ we will receive a glorified body like Christ’s.

 

The resurrection of Christ and its subsequent benefits and promises should be the motivation that keeps us continually abounding in the work of the Lord.  Are you “abounding” in the work of the Lord, or have you grown complacent and weary?  If so, perhaps you have misplaced the importance and implications of the resurrection. 

 

In chapter 16, God instructs the Corinthians concerning the best way to receive the offerings they were collecting to relieve the saints in the church atJerusalem.  Verse 9 reveals a truth we must always keep in mind: open doors and adversaries go hand-in-hand!  Fulfilling our mission on this planet is not a walk in the park.  It is a battle. Expect resistance.  Expect difficulties.  Expect adversaries, but, by all means, press on! Be strong in the Lord.

TODAY’S READING: I CORINTHIANS 7-11

 

OVERVIEW: 

Marriage and divorce (chapter 7); Christian liberty (chapter 8); the purpose of our liberty (chapter 9); lessons fromIsrael(chapter 10); issues regarding communion (chapter 11).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

We now begin the section of I Corinthians in which Paul answers the questions the Corinthians had sent to him.  The first issue he addresses is marriage.  Apparently, the Corinthians were wondering if it was better for a man never to marry.  In one sense it is.  Verse 1 of chapter 7 says, it is good for a man not to touch a woman.  In 7:8 Paul says he wishes all men were like him (single).  7:8 says it is good for the unmarried and widows to remain single. 7:27advises men if they are loosed from a wife (single) not to seek a wife.  The reason is found in7:32-34.  An unmarried person may give their service more wholly to the Lord.  Everyone that is married understands the point, because there are restraints on our time, resources, and service because of our families.  For example, it’s more difficult for a husband/wife, father/mother to go on a six month or one year mission trip than it is for a single person.  That is just common sense.  What often happens, however, is singles sometimes mistakenly believe if they can just be spiritual enough, they can remain single for life.  God makes clear in 7:7 that singleness is a gift, and that marriage is certainly good and honorable, and what is right for most.

 

Space does not allow for an exhaustive look at chapter 7, but there are some key principles God establishes in this chapter that need to be noted:

 

7:2-5

Intimacy is not an option in marriage.  The husband and wife are to give themselves to each other.  A marriage that lacks intimacy distorts the picture of Christ and the church revealed in Ephesians 5:25-33.

 

7:10-15

Do not seek divorce.  If there is a split, God desires reconciliation.  However, if an unbelieving spouse departs, the believer is free.    

 

7:18-24

Learn to be content.  If you can improve your circumstances, go for it, but learn to be content.

 

7:25-40

Realize your marriage requires time, effort, and care.

 

In chapter 8, the next question the Corinthians posed was about meat offered to idols.  They were asking this question in a way to get the answer they wanted — almost an “It’s okay to eat, right?”  You can see by the development of the chapter that they already had their well-thought-through reasons it was okay, and were simply looking for Paul to agree with them, or condone their wishes. The Corinthians said, “We have knowledge! We know an idol is nothing”.  God responds, “Knowledge is vain. It puffs up! The key is, do you have charity?”  Chapter 8 is a redirecting of the question from, “Because we have knowledge and we know an idol is nothing we can eat this meat offered to idols even though it offends our brothers, right?” to “Do you love your brother enough not to eat it?”  Notice the shift from, “What are my rights?” to “How can I care for my brother?”  Yes, an idol is nothing, and no, there is nothing wrong in and of itself in eating meat offered to an idol. However, t! he overarching concern must be verse 9 – “Am I using my liberty in a way that causes others to stumble?”  If so, I’m using my liberty as an occasion to the flesh and not only sinning against my brother, I am sinning against Christ (8:12).

 

In chapter 9, Paul illustrates from his own life, the principle of chapter 8.  Verses 1-14 establish the authority and right that Paul and Barnabas had to be compensated for their work in the Lord.  However, they chose not to exercise this right for the sake of the gospel.  Paul had the right to be compensated, but he chose not to do this so that nobody would or could ever accuse him of doing what he did for money, and thereby hurt the cause of Christ.  Rather,9:20-23 reveals he chose to live as others to try and reach them with the gospel.  In fact, he brings himself under control that he might be an effective messenger of the gospel.  The question we need to ask ourselves is, “Do I place the priority on being as an effective minister of the gospel as I can be?” or “Do I place the priority on my rights and liberty?”

 

In chapter 10, God illustrates why we all need to have the mindset Paul just described in chapter 9.  The illustration comes from the Old Testament and has to do with the Nation of Israel.  Verse 1-4 reveal that allIsraelexperienced the same supernatural deliverance fromEgypt, in the same way every true believer has experienced supernatural deliverance from sin and the world.  However, most of them were overthrown in the wilderness.  They are an example to us.  Five areas did them in:  lust, idolatry, fornication, tempting God, and murmuring.  Verse 12 gives us a solemn warning.  Sometimes we think we’re immune to certain sins.  God says we better constantly be taking heed to His Word lest we fall. 10:13is a very popular verse, however, don’t forget the context.  The temptations that are common to man are the very things he just listed that the Nation of Israel faced.  We need to be on guard, taking heed to what God’s Word says about the five areas that caused most ofIsraelto be overthrown. 

 

Then, Paul comes all the way back to dealing with the issue he started discussing in Chapter 8 – meat offered to idols.  Verses 14-22 deal with actually participating in the religious experiences of those sacrificing to idols.  Some Corinthians probably thought that since an idol is nothing what’s the big deal if I go to my neighbor’s religious service and participate with him.  It’s no big deal, right?  Wrong!  False religious services are actually a worship of Satan.  They certainly don’t look that way, but that is the spiritual reality.  However, the meat that is sold afterwards is permissible to eat, just don’t defile your conscience or the conscience of your brother.  The key principles to apply to our life are found in10:23-24.  I’m free to do what I want, but just because I’m free to do it doesn’t mean I should!  There are other issues involved, not the least of which is regarding my brother and not just my own selfish wants. This is also the context for10:31-33.  T! he glory of God is what should be the motivation for all we do.  However, we’re Laodiceans, and usually we are motivated by what profits us, not what profits others. 

 

Think of the boldness of Paul to write verse 1 of chapter 11.  This verse is often misquoted as if it says, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”  He doesn’t say that.  Paul says the very bold, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am [a follower] of Christ”.  Notice the difference – “I’m a follower of Christ, you be a follower of me.”  He was telling these immature believers to start following him.  God understands we that sometimes need a model to follow.  Young or immature believers need a mature Christian to follow.  However, God’s desire is not for that to continue indefinitely.  As a believer matures, they need to learn to stand (Gal. 5:1), and walk (Gal.5:16) on their own two spiritual feet.

 

The next part, 11:2-16, is quite an interesting portion of scripture.  Remember how the Corinthians asked that question to try and get the response they wanted?  We typically do the same thing when we approach the issue of women wearing a covering on their head.  We tend to approach this issue with the question,  “Women don’t really have to wear something on their head when they pray, do they?”  Isn’t it interesting how that is our first question.  There are a couple of key points that help make this passage easier to understand.  First, God is a God of order.  That is clearly revealed in verses 3, 8-9.  Second, Paul is dealing with a cultural issue.  How do we know that?  Let me answer that by asking another question – is hair the covering?  Well, verse 15 says it is the covering given to a woman.  But, is that the teaching of scripture?  No, nature teaches us that.  Is it wrong for a man to have long hair?  Some say that it is because of verse 14.  But again, keep in mind that that is a reference to nature, not to scripture.  Different cultures have different customs.  That brings us to the third point.  Notice verse 16.  Paul is not instituting any biblical requirement upon these people or upon us.  So the answer is no, women don’t have to wear something on their head when they pray, unless, of course, the culture dictates it.  Remember; don’t seek your own profit, but the profit of others.

 

As Paul continues on in chapter 11, he rebukes them for their abuse of the Lord’s Supper.  They were using this time as a time to party and do what they wanted instead of remembering our Lord’s death. God uses this passage as a reminder of the purpose of communion, and shows us:

 

• This is a very important and meaningful time to God. (11:27)
• We should examine ourselves before participating. (11:28)

• There are extreme consequences to not judging ourselves. (11:30)

 

TODAY’S READING: I CORINTHIANS 1-6

 

OVERVIEW:  An appeal for unity (chapter 1); the wisdom of God vs. the wisdom of this world (chapter 2); eternal building vs. temporary building (chapter 3); understanding our stewardship (chapter 4); dealing with unrepentant sin (chapter 5); dealing with conflict in the body (chapter 6).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The city ofCorinthwas located on one of the most important east-west trade and travel routes in theRoman Empire.  It was a financial center especially noted for commerce, culture, and absolute perverted corruption. Corinthwas also the headquarters for the worship of Venus and for some of the mystery cults fromEgyptandAsia.  It was the fourth largest city in theRoman Empire.

 

The founding of the church atCorinthis detailed in Acts 18:1-17.  The apostle Paul and his missionary team established this church and Paul actually spent a year and half teaching and preaching in this church.  Yet, by the time Paul writes this letter, the church was totally operating in the flesh.  In fact, Paul finds absolutely nothing whatsoever in the entire letter for which to commend them! 

 

There is NOTHING this church was doing that should be used as a model.  They are messed up on their relationships with each other, their attitude about sin, their teaching about marriage, their liberty in Christ, exercising their spiritual gifts and the resurrection, of all things!  In spite of that fact, there is a whole movement – the Charismatic movement – that bases many of their beliefs and practices on things the Corinthian church had espoused.  We will see that God’s simple and clear instructions to this church are not followed by those proposing to be “filled with the Spirit”.  However, there are bigger problems with this church than their abuse of spiritual gifts.  In fact, God chose to not even address their abuse of spiritual gifts until the end of the Book.  This should raise a red flag when we think about problems in the body of Christ.  I’d rather partner for the cause of Christ with a genuine brother who mistakenly believes tongues are still for today, than to try and partner with a brother that has his “dispensations” right, but his “disposition” wrong, as Vance Havner used to say.

 

One of the most amazing things to note about this letter, is that as Paul writes under the inspiration of the Spirit of God to address such an incredibly problematic church is how many times God clears off a spot to speak directly to the pastors or elders of the church at Corinth.  We all certainly know that everything rises or falls on leadership, right?  Surely it would be a quick fix to their problems to get the pastors to do what’s right, so the rest of the church could simply follow their lead, wouldn’t it? But do you know how many times Paul actually speaks to the pastors in this letter? ZERO!  Does that mean that pastors do not have a key responsibility in the leadership of the church?  Absolutely not!  It simply reveals that we are all in this thing together.  Make no mistake, a pastor will most certainly give an account to God for how he led God’s people and how he provided oversight of the church (Heb.13:17).  However, each person will give an account for himself at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom.14:12). 

 

We’re not going to be able pull out the “if my pastor would have just led/taught/preached/visited/prayed or whatever better I would have been different” card.  The lesson of I Corinthians is that a church that is operating in the flesh or in the Spirit, is operating that way because of the members of the body, not just a select few.  We each need to examine and judge our own lives and what we are contributing or not contributing to the body.

 

The Corinthians had sent some questions to Paul they needed answered.  However, before Paul begins to answer those questions beginning in chapter 7, there were other issues that the Spirit of God knew needed to be dealt with first.  When you think about all the problems this church had, it is interesting that the first four chapters deal with one primary issue – division in the body.  Many things are addressed in these first four chapters, but they ultimately come back to the principle of a united body versus a divided body.  Chapter 1 and verse 10 is the clear statement of God’s will for this church.  It also tells us how this can be accomplished in a local body – “but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”  How do you have the same mind and same judgment?  Note four principles from I Corinthians 1-4:

 

1. Be a fool for Christ (1:18, 25; 4:9-10).   We’re going to be a fool for something or somebody!  The Corinthians were consumed with not looking foolish to the world and in so doing, became fools.  Are you concerned about what your unsaved friends and family think of you, or are you consumed with knowing Christ?

 

2. Trust the wisdom of God (Chapter 2) The Word of God (that which is spiritual) must be the basis for our decisions and choices in life.

 

3. Build with eternal materials (Chapter 3) Are you building your life with things that will withstand the fire of God and last for eternity, or are you consumed with things that will vanish away?

 

4. Be a faithful steward (Chapter 4) The responsibility of a steward is to use the resources he’s been given for the purpose of the owner.  Our Owner has told us to “lay up treasure in heaven” and “not to lay up treasure upon earth”.  Our Owner has put us in trust with a message to proclaim to those who haven’t believed.   Are you being a faithful steward?

 

Do you see how simple God’s plan is?  If all of us in the local body of believers are consumed with Christ, it’s easy to be of the “same mind and same judgment”.  But when we become concerned about our reputation, our position, our way and everyone else in the body is doing the same, we’re heading for big trouble!  It’s almost as simple as “Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh”!

 

In chapter 5, God deals with this church regarding their lack of dealing with a sinning brother.  Verse 1 reveals that there is a man in the church living in sin, and obviously allowing that sin to rule his life.  In verse 2 God rebukes these believers for not dealing with this issue of sin.  Notice that God’s rebuke is first and foremost, that they did not mourn this sin.  What is our reaction when we see a brother or sister allowing sin to rule their lives?  Do we care?  Do we sense some sort of satisfaction because we kind of thought they were like that?  Do we think “I would never do that”? Or do we have the response God is looking for – mourning (5:2)?  In verses 3-5, God instructs them to remove this man from the fellowship of their church.  The reason for such seemingly harsh treatment however, is so he will be removed from the protection afforded him in the body of Christ, so he will see the importance of repenting, so that God can and will be glorified in his life. !  In fact, verse 5 says that the flesh may be destroyed, but the spirit will be saved.  In verse 8, God mentions two types of leaven – malice and wickedness.  One is an evil life, and one is an evil attitude.  These are areas in which we must judge ourselves in daily.  God also gives the remedy: sincerity and truth.  You must have both.  Sincerity without truth will do you no good.  Many sincere people live a defeated life.  However, truth without sincerity is not any better.  The Pharisees had truth, but they didn’t have sincerity.  In verses 9-11, God clearly teaches that we are not to separate ourselves physically from this lost world.  We should expect them to live in sin because they are lost, and we must reach them with the gospel!  However, we are not to associate ourselves with believers whose lives are being lived according to the flesh.

 

Notice also the type of sin God talks about in 5:9-11.  He talks about the ones in which we would easily agree– fornication, drunkenness, idolatry – but He also lists covetousness, extortion, and railing.  God is showing that we may have our list of “bad sins” and “acceptable sins”, but He most certainly does not!  Someone living in the flesh that never does anything immoral but is always talking negatively about people (railing), is just as overtaken in sin as the person in verse 1!  Verses 12-13 teach us that God will judge the lost world, but our responsibility is to reach them. 

 

One of the most obvious ways to see the division in the body was the way the Corinthian believers took each other to court.  The key principle of chapter 6 is that believers should not take each other to court over civil matters.  If someone believes they have been wronged, they need to allow the church to handle the matter.  Sometimes this may take great faith.  It also may not result in what one party regards as fair.  The larger issue in all these problems is, are we seeking God’s solution or simply relying on our own standard?  May we seek to yield to the Spirit each day, and allow Him to control our thoughts and actions.

 

TODAY’S READING: ROMANS 12-16

 

OVERVIEW: 

The revelation of the righteousness of God reproduced in the church (chapters 12-16).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

After introducing his theme to the Book of Romans, the revelation of the righteousness of God in the gospel of Christ (1:16,17), Paul walked us through eight chapters of PRINCIPLES related to that gospel.  Then, beginning in chapter 9 and continuing through chapter 11, Paul identified and addressed the PROBLEMS of the gospel as they related to the Nation of Israel.  We called this section a “parenthesis” because if you were to read from Romans8:39right into 12:1, it would make perfect sense!  Check it out:

 

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come – (8:38). Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord – (8:39). I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – (12:1).

 

Now beginning with Romans 12:1, we move into the third and final section of this great epistle.  Having considered the PRINCIPLES and PROBLEMS of the gospel in the first 11 chapters, in these final five chapters (12-16), Paul takes us into an examination of the PRACTICE of the gospel.  What he is doing in these chapters is a classic Pauline pattern that we will be able to observe in all of his writings.  In each of the New Testament letters God inspired Paul to write, he always establishes the specific doctrines in the beginning of the Book.  Each letter then concludes by providing the reader with a series of practical DUTIES which are based upon the DOCTRINES he’s presented.  Paul was aware of the danger in laying down PRINCIPLES without identifying how those PRINCIPLES were to affect the PRACTICE of our lives.  As Bible believers, we must understand that DOCTRINE and DUTIES always go hand-in-hand.  Each time we approach the Word of God, we must ask ourselves two very simple questions: “What is it that God wants me to BELIEVE?” and “How is it that God wants me to BEHAVE?”  You see this pattern very clearly in the Book of Romans.  For the first eight chapters Paul identifies the DOCTRINAL PRINCIPLES related to the gospel; then in the final five chapters, he provides the PRACTICAL DUTIES based upon those principles.

 

Beginning in chapter 12 and continuing through chapter 14, Paul identifies the following relationships that have been dramatically affected by receiving the gospel.  With each relationship he provides a corresponding responsibility:

 

• Our relationship to God… Offer reasonable service. (12:1-2)
• Our relationship to other believers… Minister our gifts. (12:3-16)
• Our relationship to our enemies…Overcome evil, with good. (12:17-21)
• Our relationship to rulers…Be subject. (13:1-7)
• Our relationship to our neighbors… Owe nothing but love. (13:8-14)
• Our relationship to weaker believers… Receive and edify. (14:1-23)

 

Realizing the benefit of an example when transitioning from theory to practice, in chapter 15, Paul provides three examples of people who ministered to others.  He begins with the ministry of Christ and how He pleased and received others (15:1-13).  Next, he provides himself as an example of one that forwarded God’s message (15:14).  Finally, he holds up the Gentile churches and their sacrificial giving to the impoverished saints atJerusalemas an example (15:25-35).

 

In chapter 16, God finds an incredible way to teach us about the important keys to Paul’s ministry.  Paul sends his greetings to 26 individuals, two households, and several churches that are meeting in people’s homes.  That’s a lot of relationships, considering they reside in a city that he’s not yet been permitted to visit!  As you read this list, you can’t help but be impressed with the fact that Paul loved people.  No doubt, many of these names represented people he had personally won to Christ in other places who now resided inRome.  It is more than apparent that Paul’s ministry centered around two key things:  the GREAT COMMANDMENT (Loving God and loving people), and the GREAT COMMISSION (Reproducing reproducers — i.e. Making disciples!)  May each of our ministries reflect the same.

 

TODAY’S READING: ROMANS 9-11

 

OVERVIEW: 

The revelation of the righteousness of God rejected in Judaism (Chapters 9-11).

 

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Today we move into the second half of this great doctrinal epistle of the Apostle Paul.  Keep in mind that the purpose of the writing of Romans is to reveal the righteousness of God in the gospel of Jesus Christ (1:16-17).  In the first half of Romans, Paul identified a number of PRINCIPLES related to the righteousness we receive through the gospel:

 

• Sin is a universal reality.  (Chapters 1-3)
• Salvation is a free gift.  (Chapter 3)
• Salvation is received by faith.  (Chapter 4)
• Salvation is secure and forever.  (Chapter 5)
• Sanctification is from sin and the law.  (Chapters 6-7)
• Sanctification is by the Spirit.  (Chapter 8)

 

Beginning in chapter 9, Paul turns his attention to some of the PROBLEMS related to the righteousness we receive through the gospel; particularly, problems that related to the Jews. 

 

The first problem had to do with the fact that at the time Paul wrote the Book of Romans, the Old Testament sacrifices were still being offered in theTempleatJerusalem.  The principles Paul laid out in Romans 1-8 have rendered those sacrifices completely MEANINGLESS.

 

The second problem was related to the reality that each time Paul preached in a Jewish synagogue, he knew that Judaism and Christianity could not co-exist. If Christianity continued to spread across the world, Judaism’s fate was sealed.  It was just that reality that caused Paul to so bitterly oppose Christianity prior to his conversion.

 

Finally, the greatest problem Paul faced was reconciling in people’s minds the doctrines of the church with the covenants God had made to the Nation of Israel.  The two questions that continually surfaced each time Paul preached in the presence of Jews were: “Are the promises of God to the Nation of Israel now null and void?” and “Where does the Jew stand in relationship to God in this dispensation?”    The purpose of Romans 9, 10 and 11 is to provide answers to those questions.  The Spirit of God obviously knew that these answers would blast Satan’s attempts to pervert the gospel with the false teachings of the Judiazers.

 

Some have called chapters 9, 10 and 11 parentheses in the Book of Romans. A parenthesis is defined as a sentence or paragraph that provides the reader with an explanation.  That’s exactly what Romans 9, 10 and 11 do!  They provide us with an explanation of how it is that God could set aside His chosen people for a period of time, and how it is that God will restoreIsraelat a future date, and fulfill all the promises He made to them in the Old Testament.

 

The three chapters of this parenthesis can be broken down as follows:

• In Romans 9, the emphasis is onIsrael’s PAST ELECTION.
• In Romans 10, the emphasis is onIsrael’s PRESENT REJECTION.
• In Romans 11, the emphasis is onIsrael’s FUTURE RESTORATION.

 

A couple of other side notes:

Don’t let Romans9:13freak you out: “Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.”  The “as it is written” is a reference to Malachi 1:2-3, and the statement is made in reference to NATIONS, not INDIVIDUALS.  “Esau” is representative of the Edomite nation.  “Jacob” is representative of the Nation of Israel.  Because of John3:16and countless other Scriptures, there is no way that the Bible teaches that God loves some sinners, and hates others. 

 

Concerning the hardening of Pharaoh in9:17-18, understand that God gives people what they want.  Exodus8:15says that Pharaoh hardened his heart. Then in Exodus 9:12, it says that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart. God simply gave Pharaoh what he wanted.  It is the same principle that is repeated in II Thessalonians 2:8-12.  There are people who have understood the truth and have had the opportunity to receive the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved (2:10). Rather than receive the truth, however, they “had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2:12), and, therefore, lied to themselves, and rejected the truth.  The passage teaches that in the Tribulation Period when the Antichrist comes on the scene, God will say in effect, “You wanted a lie, so that’s exactly what you’ll get!” Verses 11 and 12 say that God Himself will “send them strong delusion” so that they will believe the lie of the Antichrist, and be forever damned.

 

In Pharaoh’s case, God hardened Pharaoh’s heart because Pharaoh hardened Pharaoh’s heart.  With those who miss the rapture because they lied to themselves when God presented them the truth, God will simply give them what they proved they wanted.

 

Is there anything you are communicating to God by your life that you want, that you don’t really want God to give you?