1 Corinthians, Chapter 11

Mankind can come up with some pretty silly things. This chapter is hard to write about because it is basically Paul trying to weed through the asinine arguments and judgments of the church in Corinth so he can re-direct them to focus on Christ again. As I read this, it really seems like the people of Corinth got caught up more in how something was done rather than the why. Nothing frustrates me more.

²⁸A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. ²⁹For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. ³⁰That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. ³²When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world. – 1 Corinthians 11:28-32

There is nothing wrong with a moment of self-reflection in prayer. I think sometimes that we get lost in presenting what we want done to God without taking a moment to reflect on what we need to change in our hearts. That is what I think this little moment is for. If we lose track of the sacrifice that Christ made for us we can easily lose our own faith. Considering the sacrifice for a moment re-orients us spiritually. It gets us back on the right path and steers us away from the petty arguments mentioned in this chapter.

1 Corinthians, chapter 10

This chapter of 1 Corinthians can almost be summed up in two old clichés: "Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" and "One cannot serve two masters." Both are mentioned in regards to resisting temptation to sin. I love Paul's take on this. He points out that temptation is something that everyone must face. Though each person's temptations are different, they are not unique as others have had to face the same temptations throughout history. That gives us a promise of never being alone in our fight against sin.

¹¹These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. ¹²So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! ¹³No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. – 1 Corinthians 10:11-13

My wife and I have discussed this in a way before. Everyone is susceptible to temptation, but it is not the same thing for everyone else. This also ties in with the statement that no sin is greater than another, and in combination with both it makes prejudice seem even more nearsighted. For some people, the temptation hey struggle with may be pornography. For the next person, they may be able to resist pornography with ease, but they struggle with alcohol. For a third person, they may be able to easily shrug off alcoholism and pornography, but they struggle with homosexuality. None of these is greater than the other, but they are still temptations. We do not face these alone, but our experience with temptation can be different than others.

1 Corinthians, Chapter 9

Today's chapter is another difficult one to write about. In it, Paul talks about his rights as an apostle. He almost goes out of his way to say he is fully entitled to all the perks of being an apostle, but he also denies that he needs him. To me, it is like he is trying to teach a lesson on getting caught up in titles. Many people thought he was an apostle in his time, but some disagreed that he was. In this chapter he tried to show that his title was not important. The important thing is that he followed his compulsion to preach regardless of the reward.

But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. ¹³Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? ¹⁴In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. – 1Corinthians 9:12-14

A Christian walk is one of sacrifice. We know this because we are to follow Christ's example. His very life was a sacrifice so that we might be made Holy through His blood on the Cross. It is therefore our duty to spread that gospel regardless of the cost. How many martyrs have followed this example? Some are well known, while others passed their lives in quiet obscurity while simply serving the call.

This is an example that we must carry over to our own lives. Some are called to greater things and become great evangelists. In the eyes of God, however, they are no greater than the person that strives to bring just one person to Christ. I consider it the greatest honor of my life to have been used by god to reach my wife for Christ. That is just one person, but to me it gives my life purpose regardless of any reward I received for that work.

1 Corinthians, Chapter 8

It is hard to find a context in today's world for 1 Corinthians 8. Sacrificing food to idols is not exactly something that is commonplace in today's society. If anything, this short chapter has a point of expressing that something as simple as food cannot affect our relationship with God.

⁸But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. – 1 Corinthians 8:8

It is almost like Paul is saying that food is simply food. I can picture him as frustrated because he was putting out another petty argument that took the focus off of Christ. Food cannot affect our relationship with our Savior. If we fall into the trap of believing that it affects us that is where we stumble. When we get sidetracked on silly little arguments like that it is where we find the roadblock to our faith.

1 Corinthians, chapter 7

I'm not really sure what to make of this latest chapter. In it, Paul talks about what we should do when it comes to marriage. It makes some very valid points, but he also argues against the institution of marriage in a way. He thinks that marriage is fine if you are already married or seeking marriage, but he also advises people not to be married because of the distractions it can bring. Still, he makes it a point to focus on having the Lord as the main purpose in one's life.

¹⁷Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. ¹⁸Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised. ¹⁹Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God's commands is what counts. ²⁰Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-20

Keeping God's commands is what counts. The simplicity of that statement is beautiful. In six words Paul sums up the entire human position. Ultimately, many of decisions and actions don't matter as long as they are in line with what God wants for us. For some, God does want them to remain unmarried and devoted solely to him. For others, he intends marriage. As long as these decisions do not supersede our relationship with Christ we can fulfill the purpose that we are put on this earth for. I love my wife, but I know I cannot possibly put her above my devotion to Christ.

As we see from this chapter, the bond of marriage can be used as a tool to further strengthen our relationship with Christ. A believing spouse is someone that we can study with, pray with, worship with, and use as encouragement. As one strengthens the other that strength is returned. It is the old "two heads are better than one" tactic. Conversely, if a spouse does not believe it can quickly become a burden for the believing partner.

1 Corinthians, chapter 6

Sanctified. This is such a powerful word. It appears here in 1 Corinthians 6 not by itself, but as a superlative to being cleansed. It is defined as being made holy or consecrated. We can cleanse our bodies with soap and water regardless of the level of filth we build up. To be sanctified, however, comes only from God. There are some pretty nasty things listed in this chapter, yet Paul mentions that we can be sanctified by all of them. All of this comes through the pure, cleansing blood of Christ on the Cross.

⁹Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders ¹⁰nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Do you see the common thread here? No one was worthy of being sanctified. To be sanctified is to reach a level of cleanliness in our spirits that we cannot possibly reach on our own. Even if we somehow were worthy, which none are, it cannot be achieved without help. That help comes in Christ's sacrifice on the Cross. It is ironic that it is his blood that is the ultimate cleanser. If you get blood on a garment it is one of the most difficult stains to get out. Yet when we are washed in the blood of Christ it makes us cleaner spiritually than we can possibly get.

¹⁸Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body. ¹⁹Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20

This final section of the chapter is especially poignant because sexual immorality I one of the greatest temptations we face today. Few things can make us feels so filthy and in need of sanctification, yet we are told by society that it is okay to be sexually amoral. Things like homosexuality, pornography, and adultery are finding their way into everyday life and even are being accepted in some quarters. This is a hard temptation to resist, and as we see here it is something that affects us the most because it is a sin against the body. The only way to fight it is to make our bodies temples for Christ.

1 Corinthians, chapter 5

Society's views of sex today disgust me. Everything is okay as long as both parties consent to it. The traditions of marriage and monogamy are a thing of the past, reserved for close-minded individuals who have lost touch with reality. This is simply wrong. Paul had to deal with this 2000 years ago, so it is no surprise that it is still an issue today. Paul touches on this in chapter 5 of 1 Corinthians.

⁴When you are assembled in the name of our Lord Jesus and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, ⁵hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 5:4-5

Notice that he says that the man's sinful nature needs to be destroyed, not the man himself. Even in crusading against this immorality Paul still was focused on saving the man and driving out the sinful nature. He didn't condemn him as some would do. He does later say not to associate with men that are sexually immoral, but that is only so the sinful nature doesn't spread to others. We know from previous examples that Paul openly welcomes those who repent and turn away from immorality. Once again, he condemns the sin, not the sinner.

This is an extremely difficult attitude to have because of human nature. If we have been on the wrong end of sexual immorality, or any immorality for that matter, it is very difficult to forgive the person that wronged us. Not only does Christ exhibit a spirit of forgiveness in this matter, but we must be willing to submit to a spirit of forgiveness to those seeking it.