1 Corinthians 7 "Walk Your Call"

“Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him.” (v.17)

This verse can apply to so much in our lives, singleness, marriage, vocation, location, etc. But mostly I believe Paul is telling the Corinthians they don’t need to try and become something they are not. “Retain the place in life the Lord has assigned you” (v.17), “remain where you were called” (v.20), remain with God in that calling in which He called you to” (v.24). In other words, don’t feel pressured to do something or go somewhere God has not directed you. Whether born a slave, or free, married or unmarried, live as you are called.

This passage is just as relevant today as it was back then. God can use us where we are right now; on the job, at school, in our neighborhoods, married or unmarried, widowed, elderly, it does not matter. We don’t need to go to Seminary school, or Bible college, nor halfway around the world, to be used by God. All we need to be is ourselves and available to Him.

Therefore, let's walk our path and be joyfully in it. For we were bought with a price by the One who paid for us with His blood, to walk the path He has called us to.  Will He not protect, provide, and guide us with His powerful right hand? As this same apostle wrote in Ephesians, “I (Paul), therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called..” (Eph. 4:1)

And so we walk, day by day, moment by moment, with our LORD.

The Truth: "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has began a good work in you will be faithful to complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." (Philippians 1:6)

1 Corinthians 6 "Check Your Priorities"

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful… I will not be brought under the power of any.” (v.12)

As Christians we have been set free from the bondage of sin and been given great liberty in Christ. But, that doesn't mean that all things are helpful. We can drink, smoke, go to "R" rated movies, hangout in clubs, but are any of things helpful? If we choose to indulge in something that can control us, get a hold on us, becoming a substitute for our time with God, then it is not helpful to our walk as a Christian, and probably not good for our witness to other as well.

With the growing use of cell phones, laptops and social media sites, an increasing number of people are withdrawing deeper into cyberspace every day. You can see them; in their cars, in the store, at dinner, on the job, browsing their facebook page, sending a text message, twitting or visiting some Internet site. Also video games have grown from a form of entertainment to an immensely competitive job, where teams compete for status and even prize money through tournaments. This begs the question, when has something legitimately moved from enjoyment to addiction?

When people cling to activities despite negative effects (loss of sleep, frustration, anxiety, mood changes), it generally indicates addictive behavior. Another common indicator is a defensive attitude when confronted in love about an overindulgence in some area. While there is nothing inherently wrong with most of what we do for enjoyment, we must check ourselves to make sure we are in control and not the other way around, that there is balance in our lives and not obsession or overindulgence.

Here in chapter 6, the apostle Paul reminds us to be careful, “not to be brought under the power of any.” It takes humility to admit that our enjoyment has become an addiction. Let's all check ourselves to make sure (we are in control), and if in doubt, seek God’s help and direction.

The Truth: “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1) 

1 Corinthians 5 "Clean Out The Old Leaven"

“Clean out the old leaven, so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” (v.7)

In today’s reading, Paul levels a charge of complicit sin against the Corinthians. A man was publicly enjoying an incestuous relationship with his father’s wife with the knowledge of the church. Things had grown so complacent on the issue, that Paul had to rebuke them for being arrogant about the incident, rather than mourning over it (v.2). He went on to declare that the guilty person should be excluded from the fellowship, for it’s protection (v. 9).

Some people would call this harsh and unmerciful, but it is for the good of the individual and the church as well. A cancer left to itself will only grow until it takes over the entire body. Genuine love doesn’t let a Christian continue in such incestuous sin. At the same time, we don’t need to be scouring each other’s lives to find places of moral failure either. However, when there is shameless, unrepentant, and public sin in the church, it must be dealt with, cut out, removed, until true repentance occurs.

In our culture today there is a prevailing attitude of acceptance with regard to sexual orientation, relationships, and practices. Even within some churches there exists a pride in their tolerance to such immorality. Yes we need to be available to all who seek the truth, but ignoring destructive sin within the body is nothing to be proud of. As Pastor Chuck Smith said, "It isn't our job to fix the world, and you certainly can't fix it by judging it. However, it is our job to share the gospel, and look to restore those who have lost their way."

Protection of the body and restoration of the sinner is a difficult line to walk. It works if we apply the biblical truths with a heart of love, with restoration, not condemnation as our goal.

The Truth: “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

1 Corinthians 4 "Be A Good Steward"

 “Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.” (vv.1-3)

Here Paul is telling the Corinthians that he and the other apostles had been appointed by God to share the mysteries of God’s Word. And as stewards, they were to be faithful to their election by not adding or subtracting from God’s Word. He is also telling those who sat in judgement of his authority, that his accountability is to God, not man, nor even himself.

This reminds us as Christians that we too are stewards of the mysteries of what God has revealed to us. We too must be found faithful and trustworthy in sharing those spiritual treasures with others by not adding or subtracting from His Word. Also when judged or challenged to remember who we accountable to.

To often today, many churches are guilty of adding (through legalism) to God’s Word while others, through liberal interpretation, subtract from the meaning God’s Word. Both are examples of unjust stewardship, and contrary to the teachings of Jesus. May God help us all be like Paul, “faithful stewards” of the mysteries of God.

The Truth:“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)

1 Corinthians 3 "Guard Your Gates"

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" (vv.16-17).

The Corinthian Christians were carnal, fleshly, and as we have already seen, full of envy, strife, and division. Paul compares them to an un weaned child, unable to digest the solid food of the Word (vv.1-2). And, as a result, they had not grown Spiritually. They were like a house built of straw, weak and unable to withstand against the temptations of life. Though Paul himself had laid a solid foundation for them (v.10), many within the church were caught up in a lifestyle of sexual immorality (1 Cor. 5:1), common to the people of Corinth in that day. So Paul hearing of their immorality, warns them with our text (vv.16-17). "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are."

Paul's warning rings just as loud today as it did back then. As men, living in southern California, in the summer (or any season for that matter), we are constantly bombarded with visual temptations. As a result, we need to "guard the gates" to our temples (our eyes, our minds) constantly. And like the knights of old, do battle with any threat that comes to our kingdom with our sword and shield. And, not allowing any Trojan Horse through our gates.

Today Satan works overtime to rob us of our purity, our character, and our valor as men, using every tool in his arsenal. So we need to work harder at standing guard over our souls, our rewards, our vows to God, by devouring the solid food of His Word. Building ourselves up, training our bodies, bring them into the submission of His will, and defeating the fiery dates of the evil one.

Therefore my brothers train, that your temple will remain a holy place, reserved for God, with NO TRESPASSERS allowed! Because Satan is constantly working to breakdown our defenses.

The Truth: "Finally, my brothers, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10-11) 

1 Corinthians 2 "Spiritual Insight"

“The natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” (v.14)

Paul begins chapter 2 by declaring two things about his visit to Corinth; 1) What he came not to do (excellency of speech, haughty wisdom), and 2) What he was determined to do (simply speak of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified). You see it doesn't matter how and eloquent we are or how much textbook wisdom we possess, what matters is Jesus and his gospel.

The great 19th-century preacher Charles Spurgeon told the story about a woman who said to Joseph Turner while he was painting, “Why do you put such extravagant colors into your pictures? I never see anything like them in nature.” To which Joseph Turner replied, “Don’t you wish you did, Madam?”

In a similar way, believers in Christ can see many spiritual truths that unbelievers simply cannot recognize no matter how educated. When we are born again, the indwelling Holy Spirit gives us understanding of the “deep things of God” (v.10). With the help of the Spirit, we can apprehend the truths of the Word of God and appreciate their beauty and significance. We can see the wonderful things in Scripture that are completely unnoticed by those who are spiritually blind. Therefore, when sharing these truths with those who are not enlightened, it's best to keep it simple. Stick to Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

And, as you faithfully read and study the Bible, listen to trustworthy Bible teachers, and above all as you rely on the Holy Spirit, be thankful that you can understand God’s message. Like the psalmist, we should pray, “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Ps. 119:18).

Scriptural insight is available only to those with spiritual eyesight.

1 Corinthians 1 "Glory In The LORD"

“He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” (v.31)

Here in chapter 1 Paul writes to the church of Corinth mainly about unity. He had heard of the many contentions among the brethren, which were of the house of Chloe (v.11), and cautioned them about division in the body of Christ. While there is nothing wrong with following different teachers, or denominations, there is a problem when it leads to pride, division, and a  different Jesus - or when the orator becomes more important than the Word itself. 

Personally, I love how Paul encourages them at the end of this chapter where he writes, “But you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God” (v.30). In other words, “hey wake up, you’re not stupid. You have the wisdom of God through Jesus Christ. See this stuff for what it is, nonsense.” 

Oh the wisdom of God available to us through the work of the cross. We, who were once lost in our sin, held in bondage to corruption, were purchased through the cross of Christ. Therefore, our allegiance belongs to Him, our Master, Savior, God, and King. That’s why Paul could say, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” Godly wisdom for us today!

The Truth: This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth--for I delight in these things," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:23-24)

Jeremiah 52 “Jehoiachin’s Life Spared”

Jeremiah 52 “Jehoiachin’s Life Spared”

“Now it came about in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-fifth of the month, that Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the first year of his reign, showed favor to Jehoiachin king of Judah and brought him out of prison.” (v.31)

After Jerusalem’s destruction, thoughts of restoration must have seemed inconceivable. Lamentations ends with no indication that Jerusalem would ever be restored. Yet an apparent historical footnote tucked away at the end of Jeremiah 52 quietly attests to God’s loyal love. Even though Jehoiachin was an evil king, he was still part of the Davidic line.

In 2 Samuel 7:16, the Lord promised David, “Your throne will be established forever.” Jeremiah may have wondered when he wrote Lamentations how God could keep His promise. But God faithfully spared Jehoiachin to preserve this Davidic line, which eventually led to our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Truth: See Matt. 1:11–16, the genealogy of Jesus Christ.