Hi my long, lost friends! I apologize for my absence last week -- I have been sick with the lovely cold/flu going around. It's still hanging on, but I'm not down for the count anymore and can get by with a little less rest now.
I'm excited to jump back into The Word with you this morning, and I pray that God could make sense or any worth from these words, as my head is still a bit foggy.
May I also ask you to pray for me as I am trying to balance my time. I have been working on writing a book for the past few months, and I'm struggling to have enough time to work a full time job, write a blog, and write a book, among all the other things. I love this blog, but I'm wondering if I need to take a break to focus on book writing. Please pray that I could hear the Lord's voice clearly on that and that He would give me the confidence to walk faithfully in the way that He desires.
I love you all so greatly, and it is a joy to grow in the Lord with you. It truly is!
Okay, let's get to it...
"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."
"This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed." Paul is telling the Corinthians to only look upon he and Apollos as mere servants of the Lord and stewards of the mysteries/knowledge God had revealed. He's telling them that their arguments over who's better, Paul or Apollos, are beside the point...they are just doing God's work!
"Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." The requirements for a good guide are reliability and accurate knowledge, but more than that, they must be faithful. Not giving up and remaining devoted to Christ despite the circumstances or what people may be saying about them and their ideologies. It's not a sprint to the finish, but a slow and faithful journey in the same direction. Faithfulness is proved over time...a long time!
"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself." This is one of the trickiest verses in the Bible for me. I want to honestly say, like Paul, that I care very little about whether I'm judged by anyone...but the problem is that most days I do care, even though I don't want to. Paul was a man on a mission. He had one focus, and that was Christ and His Message. In the verses ahead, he is about to say some really direct things that only a man who knows his purpose could say to a community who knows him. It also surprised me how he then says that he does not even judge himself! I hadn't thought before how phrases like, "Well, I'm doing better than her," or "God will allow me into His Heaven," both pass some sort of a judgement on ourselves. Instead, look what he says...
"My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." He doesn't think there is anything unsettled between he and God; yet, he still leaves all the judging to the Lord. The only one who can judge is The Judge himself. How humble of Paul to think that though he doesn't think he's doing anything wrong, he's very aware that there could be ungodly thoughts or actions of which he's not aware. I want to be aware of that, too!
"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God." Because the Lord is the only one who can judge, we need to wait for Him to do it. We have no business judging the people around us and their behavior. This doesn't mean we don't confront people out of our love for them, but we do not make the final calls on their salvation or their standing with God, even if we think we are sure of what God would decide. How dare I! Whether the good or the bad, only God can judge each person because only He knows their heart, their thoughts, and their attitudes. We speak truth, but we do not judge. We warn, but we do not shame.
May that be my focus today.
Coffee with Jesus
Monday, February 13, 2012
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:18-23 (Candle)
"Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,
“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”
20 And again,
“The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.”
21 So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."
May I be honest with you? I am really struggling right now. I'm struggling because there is SO much information out there. I am literally losing sleep over the fact that I feel pulled in multiple directions when it comes to Truth these days. Do you ever feel that way?
More than anything, I just want to do what is right in God's eyes. I want Him to see me and the deepest recesses of my heart and know that I am a woman after His own heart. I want to love people the way He does and I also want to honor and obey Him -- even if that makes me "unpopular" with certain people. But right now I am in a war of the mind. Just the other day, I thought I had my finger on one particular issue that I've been struggling with as it relates to Christianity, and then yesterday, I received a book in the mail that a dear friend wants me to read, and just by reading the back cover and the first few pages, I think it is only going to add to this crazy ride that I'm currently enduring.
So, I was interested to see that today's Scripture is about being wise! It says, "Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise." If a wise person has a lot of knowlegde, then perhaps the fool is the one who can say, "You know what...I don't know it all right now. I have questions, too, and I'm okay with that." Let me tell you, it's not a very lovely place to be. I don't like that I have some unanswered questions right now. I don't like that my ideologies and theologies don't all fit neatly in little boxes with bows on top right now. Instead, my ideologies and theologies look more like a post-Christmas morning scene: boxes open with the tops flung on the floor, shreds of paper and ribbon every where, and the gift itself seems to be draped part-way in and part-way out of the box. Again, not lovely and neat and easy to hold.
But what I know I don't want is the wisdom of the world, because “'He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.' And again, 'The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.' ” I don't want to be trapped and ensnared because of some line of clever but worthless thinking. I want to know the Truth. Truth that comes from God Himself. So to me, the battle and the un-lovliness of it all is worth it. The battle and struggle are worth it to know Truth.
I want to be open to reading the Bible exegetically, or in an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively by starting with the text and moving out from there, instead of eisegesisly by starting with an idea or conviction and searching for verses in the Bible to prove your point because we all can do that. Every single one of us, Christian and non-Christian, can use the Bible to prove our points, and yet, we can't all be "right," can we? But there is Truth to be found when we read the Bible as a whole, and not just in snippets.
So, I am reading lots of the Bible, not just picking certain parts to read in an effort to discover Truth for myself, and not just believing all that I've been told all my life. Now, before my family and friends think I've gone nuts...let me say that Jesus Christ will never change, but some of my ideologies might. Perhaps in the process, I will discover some things about myself that I have thought incorrectly on all these years, and I need to be able to humbly admit that. That's certainly not fun for any of us when we want to be seen as "wise" is it? I hope every person reading this blog today can say that they are willing to be wrong. There is no possible way that any one of us has it all right. We are not Christ; therefore, it is very possible that something we believe could be incorrect.
I've been afraid to take this journey before now. I was afraid that I would be wrong, but now I am willing to admit that quite often, I am! I just want to know Truth. Perhaps this journey will bring me back to places where I have been along...and that's great. And perhaps this journey will take me to new and better places in my understanding of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and if that's the case, the pain of being wrong, of losing sleep, and of my mind-consuming questions would be worth it.
21 "So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future..." In the meantime, while I'm figuring this out, and even when I have it all figured out, my focus, pride, and identity shouldn't come from the leaders I follow and spouting off the names of the authors I read, or what I believe about this or that. Because all of it, everything around me, is a gift from God to me. There is good in a lot of places if we could just stop and allow ourselves to see it with a fresh perspective, God's perspective.
"...and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God." And most importantly, the only One I need to be concerned about is Christ. I know people will always ask me what I believe about this topic or that one, but the most important thing is Christ. Do I know what He did for me? Do I know His love for me, and can I give that love to everyone...every single one?
The other day, Josh and I had one of our pastors and his wife over for dinner. I respect this man a whole lot. As we were talking about theological things, I asked Him with tears in my eyes, "Jim, how do I know if God is pleased with me? I just want to do the Right thing and live to honor Him?" Jim, the ultimate story teller, silently got up from the table (we all looked around wondering who had offended him). Instead, he went around the entire first floor, turning off every light. He came back to the dining room and blew out one of the candles on the dining room table, so that there was just one candle burning. He asked me some wonderful questions, questions that I would do a dis-service to if I tried to remember exaclty what he said. His point being that that one candle affected the entire darkness. It didn't have to go DO anything, but just by being a candle, it could be seen anywhere in that large, dark room, and in fact, our eyes were drawn TO it. He said, "Molly, are you living as a light? If you are, you are affecting the darkness."
I want to be really deep and theological and have lots of degrees. But I don't. Instead, I am reading Scripture, trying to live like Christ and honor God, and praying that the Holy Spirit will work in me so that I can affect the darkness for Him. That's all.
Do I still have big questions? Yes. Lots of them right now. But I'm becoming more comfortable this morning with just sitting in them for a bit. There's no rush to answer them all today. Instead, I'm going to continue to focus on Christ...and on being His light in this dark world.
“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”
20 And again,
“The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.”
21 So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God."
May I be honest with you? I am really struggling right now. I'm struggling because there is SO much information out there. I am literally losing sleep over the fact that I feel pulled in multiple directions when it comes to Truth these days. Do you ever feel that way?
More than anything, I just want to do what is right in God's eyes. I want Him to see me and the deepest recesses of my heart and know that I am a woman after His own heart. I want to love people the way He does and I also want to honor and obey Him -- even if that makes me "unpopular" with certain people. But right now I am in a war of the mind. Just the other day, I thought I had my finger on one particular issue that I've been struggling with as it relates to Christianity, and then yesterday, I received a book in the mail that a dear friend wants me to read, and just by reading the back cover and the first few pages, I think it is only going to add to this crazy ride that I'm currently enduring.
So, I was interested to see that today's Scripture is about being wise! It says, "Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise." If a wise person has a lot of knowlegde, then perhaps the fool is the one who can say, "You know what...I don't know it all right now. I have questions, too, and I'm okay with that." Let me tell you, it's not a very lovely place to be. I don't like that I have some unanswered questions right now. I don't like that my ideologies and theologies don't all fit neatly in little boxes with bows on top right now. Instead, my ideologies and theologies look more like a post-Christmas morning scene: boxes open with the tops flung on the floor, shreds of paper and ribbon every where, and the gift itself seems to be draped part-way in and part-way out of the box. Again, not lovely and neat and easy to hold.
But what I know I don't want is the wisdom of the world, because “'He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.' And again, 'The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.' ” I don't want to be trapped and ensnared because of some line of clever but worthless thinking. I want to know the Truth. Truth that comes from God Himself. So to me, the battle and the un-lovliness of it all is worth it. The battle and struggle are worth it to know Truth.
I want to be open to reading the Bible exegetically, or in an attempt to discover the meaning of the text objectively by starting with the text and moving out from there, instead of eisegesisly by starting with an idea or conviction and searching for verses in the Bible to prove your point because we all can do that. Every single one of us, Christian and non-Christian, can use the Bible to prove our points, and yet, we can't all be "right," can we? But there is Truth to be found when we read the Bible as a whole, and not just in snippets.
So, I am reading lots of the Bible, not just picking certain parts to read in an effort to discover Truth for myself, and not just believing all that I've been told all my life. Now, before my family and friends think I've gone nuts...let me say that Jesus Christ will never change, but some of my ideologies might. Perhaps in the process, I will discover some things about myself that I have thought incorrectly on all these years, and I need to be able to humbly admit that. That's certainly not fun for any of us when we want to be seen as "wise" is it? I hope every person reading this blog today can say that they are willing to be wrong. There is no possible way that any one of us has it all right. We are not Christ; therefore, it is very possible that something we believe could be incorrect.
I've been afraid to take this journey before now. I was afraid that I would be wrong, but now I am willing to admit that quite often, I am! I just want to know Truth. Perhaps this journey will bring me back to places where I have been along...and that's great. And perhaps this journey will take me to new and better places in my understanding of God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, and if that's the case, the pain of being wrong, of losing sleep, and of my mind-consuming questions would be worth it.
21 "So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future..." In the meantime, while I'm figuring this out, and even when I have it all figured out, my focus, pride, and identity shouldn't come from the leaders I follow and spouting off the names of the authors I read, or what I believe about this or that. Because all of it, everything around me, is a gift from God to me. There is good in a lot of places if we could just stop and allow ourselves to see it with a fresh perspective, God's perspective.
"...and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God." And most importantly, the only One I need to be concerned about is Christ. I know people will always ask me what I believe about this topic or that one, but the most important thing is Christ. Do I know what He did for me? Do I know His love for me, and can I give that love to everyone...every single one?
The other day, Josh and I had one of our pastors and his wife over for dinner. I respect this man a whole lot. As we were talking about theological things, I asked Him with tears in my eyes, "Jim, how do I know if God is pleased with me? I just want to do the Right thing and live to honor Him?" Jim, the ultimate story teller, silently got up from the table (we all looked around wondering who had offended him). Instead, he went around the entire first floor, turning off every light. He came back to the dining room and blew out one of the candles on the dining room table, so that there was just one candle burning. He asked me some wonderful questions, questions that I would do a dis-service to if I tried to remember exaclty what he said. His point being that that one candle affected the entire darkness. It didn't have to go DO anything, but just by being a candle, it could be seen anywhere in that large, dark room, and in fact, our eyes were drawn TO it. He said, "Molly, are you living as a light? If you are, you are affecting the darkness."
I want to be really deep and theological and have lots of degrees. But I don't. Instead, I am reading Scripture, trying to live like Christ and honor God, and praying that the Holy Spirit will work in me so that I can affect the darkness for Him. That's all.
Do I still have big questions? Yes. Lots of them right now. But I'm becoming more comfortable this morning with just sitting in them for a bit. There's no rush to answer them all today. Instead, I'm going to continue to focus on Christ...and on being His light in this dark world.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
1 Corinthians 3: 10-15 (Will Your Work Last?)
10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
10 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care." Paul is saying that because God has chosen to use him in this way, Paul was able to build a spiritual foundation for the people in Corinth. But now someone else is building on that original foundation -- Apollos. This is true in our day, too, isn't it? We originally accepted Christ as our Savior and decided to follow Him when someone shared that news with us, and since that time, many people have added to that foundation -- preachers, teachers, parents, friends, etc. But here Paul is warning all of those people, and us when we play those roles, that we should make sure what we're adding to others' foundations is sound preaching and teaching. This is not something about which we can be flippant. WE need to check our own doctrines and teachings.
11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." We don't have be afraid about what that former verse tells us, because here, Paul promises that no one can lay a foundation other than Jesus. In other words, you can't ruin someone else's foundation if they have Christ. He will always remain the foundation in their lives -- we simply don't have that much power as human beings! So, you don't have to worry about making someone lose their salvation because of something about which you used to think incorrectly. Jesus will remain. A building is only as solid as its foundation, so we must be building our lives upon Him.
12 "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." The Corinthian church was filled with those whose work and ideologies were "wood, hay, and straw," items that would be quickly burnt up by God's judgement. The church members there were immature, selfish, and not Christ-centered. Instead, we must be building upon our foundation with high-quality materials that meet God's standards. We must first be build solely on Christ; we must be sincere in our love and work for Christ; we must be obedient to what He says; and we must serve Him faithfully. Only God can determine if we've done these things, and He will reward us accordingly. This is not meant to manipulate us into action, but rather to encourage us to see where it is that God might want to use us for His Church around the world (remember yesterday's point). I don't know about you, but I desire to do quality work for Christ -- and that can even mean in my daily interactions with the people around me. We don't all have to move to Africa! (That was my fear in 7th grade.)
14 "If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward." When God tests our motives and our hearts, will He find that our desire to please Him and to do work for Him is pure, or are we using our "work for Christ" as a way to be put in places where we receive power and praise? Are we serving in our church because we want to serve Christ or so that people will know who we are and recognize our name? If our hearts are pure, we will receive a reward. I sure hope I continue to grow in this area. I know my heart is not always pure -- in fact, if you could read my heart, you would find that it is quite the opposite of pure most days -- but I desire nothing more than to continue to serve the Lord better and come to know and emulate Him more. I pray that that is what God sees when He looks at me, because I know that my God looks at The Heart.
15 "If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." If what has been built up is not pure, such as wealth, security, success, or fame, we will suffer loss, but we will be saved by the skin of our teeth. Here is God's grace in action again -- don't you see His love and grace for you? He doesn't desire to put you in your place and be vengeful to you. Even if you don't have much to show for it, He will welcome His followers into eternity with Him. Of course, that's not a reason to go on serving yourself, but to know that as long as you have Christ as your foundation, you are safe. Now doesn't that let you put your shoulders down a bit?
Take some time to think about yourself today. Are you serving the Lord or yourself when you look at how you spend your time and your money? Those two things have always been good indicators for me, because they show me what I truly value. I may say I love Christ, but some weeks my calendar says I love coffee dates with friends and TV shows more! May I just ask us: Do we want God to be the center of our lifves?
Pray that He will change your heart to break over the things that break His heart and give you eyes to see what He sees in other people. Then watch as He slowly changes your priorities. But first, we must ask. You can't do it on your own. Remember, it's a partnership.
10 "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care." Paul is saying that because God has chosen to use him in this way, Paul was able to build a spiritual foundation for the people in Corinth. But now someone else is building on that original foundation -- Apollos. This is true in our day, too, isn't it? We originally accepted Christ as our Savior and decided to follow Him when someone shared that news with us, and since that time, many people have added to that foundation -- preachers, teachers, parents, friends, etc. But here Paul is warning all of those people, and us when we play those roles, that we should make sure what we're adding to others' foundations is sound preaching and teaching. This is not something about which we can be flippant. WE need to check our own doctrines and teachings.
11 "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." We don't have be afraid about what that former verse tells us, because here, Paul promises that no one can lay a foundation other than Jesus. In other words, you can't ruin someone else's foundation if they have Christ. He will always remain the foundation in their lives -- we simply don't have that much power as human beings! So, you don't have to worry about making someone lose their salvation because of something about which you used to think incorrectly. Jesus will remain. A building is only as solid as its foundation, so we must be building our lives upon Him.
12 "If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work." The Corinthian church was filled with those whose work and ideologies were "wood, hay, and straw," items that would be quickly burnt up by God's judgement. The church members there were immature, selfish, and not Christ-centered. Instead, we must be building upon our foundation with high-quality materials that meet God's standards. We must first be build solely on Christ; we must be sincere in our love and work for Christ; we must be obedient to what He says; and we must serve Him faithfully. Only God can determine if we've done these things, and He will reward us accordingly. This is not meant to manipulate us into action, but rather to encourage us to see where it is that God might want to use us for His Church around the world (remember yesterday's point). I don't know about you, but I desire to do quality work for Christ -- and that can even mean in my daily interactions with the people around me. We don't all have to move to Africa! (That was my fear in 7th grade.)
14 "If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward." When God tests our motives and our hearts, will He find that our desire to please Him and to do work for Him is pure, or are we using our "work for Christ" as a way to be put in places where we receive power and praise? Are we serving in our church because we want to serve Christ or so that people will know who we are and recognize our name? If our hearts are pure, we will receive a reward. I sure hope I continue to grow in this area. I know my heart is not always pure -- in fact, if you could read my heart, you would find that it is quite the opposite of pure most days -- but I desire nothing more than to continue to serve the Lord better and come to know and emulate Him more. I pray that that is what God sees when He looks at me, because I know that my God looks at The Heart.
15 "If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames." If what has been built up is not pure, such as wealth, security, success, or fame, we will suffer loss, but we will be saved by the skin of our teeth. Here is God's grace in action again -- don't you see His love and grace for you? He doesn't desire to put you in your place and be vengeful to you. Even if you don't have much to show for it, He will welcome His followers into eternity with Him. Of course, that's not a reason to go on serving yourself, but to know that as long as you have Christ as your foundation, you are safe. Now doesn't that let you put your shoulders down a bit?
Take some time to think about yourself today. Are you serving the Lord or yourself when you look at how you spend your time and your money? Those two things have always been good indicators for me, because they show me what I truly value. I may say I love Christ, but some weeks my calendar says I love coffee dates with friends and TV shows more! May I just ask us: Do we want God to be the center of our lifves?
Pray that He will change your heart to break over the things that break His heart and give you eyes to see what He sees in other people. Then watch as He slowly changes your priorities. But first, we must ask. You can't do it on your own. Remember, it's a partnership.
Monday, January 30, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:5-9 (Your Job)
We pick back up with Paul, who is trying to stop the quarreling regarding who is better -- Paul or Apollos, both "preachers" who profess Christ.
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
5 "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul?" It's interesting how Paul doesn't say "who" regarding he and Apollos. He is focusing on their job, as servants. It can be so easy for me to get distracted by who I am rather than what I am. But God is meant to be the focus -- always. He is the "Who" in my story, and I am just His servant. I don't have to be ho-hum about this, because He doesn't look at me that way. I have worth because I am His child and His servant. When we can keep ourselves and God in the correct perspective, much of life's toughest questions can be answered. In a culture where our occupations are a large part of our identity, it's helpful to have the reminder that I am not my job; instead, I am a servant of the Most High. No matter what my occupation is, what I do matters because I am doing it for Him.
"Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task." Paul is trying to tell them that they are thinking more highly than even Paul thinks of himself. He knows that he is just God's servant. That's it. He doesn't encourage the people to think any higher of him than that. He was simply doing what God has assigned him to do. Don't you want that perspective -- that I'm just doing what God has assigned me to do? Perhaps you think, but I don't think the Lord has assigned me to do anything. That's not true! This verse reminds us that "the Lord has assigned to each his task." If you are a follower of Christ, you have a job to do. We will see the two specific jobs Paul is referencing in the next verse.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." Paul acted as the missionary or evangelist to this young church at Corinth. He did his task of planting a seed, or telling people about God's love for them and what Jesus did for them, and then he moved on. Then, Apollos rose up a leader within the people who would build upon the foundation Paul had set. Apollos was more like their pastor, if you will, nurturing, encouraging and continuing to challenge the new believers there in Corinth. But Paul says that though they had different jobs to do, and they did obey and do those jobs, it was God who has made that seed grow. God (the trinity) is the one who allows His Word to be understood and acted upon.
For over a year now, I have been actively involved in a ministry at my church called Stephen Ministry. We are a group of caregivers in our church for people who are going through normal life crises, and we meet one-on-one with our Care Receiver once a week. This verse has really begun to stick out to me as a part of this ministry. We are interacting with people who are greatly hurting because of grief, divorce, anxiety, relational difficulties, illness, and even their own impending deaths. It is in these moments that I must remember that I cannot fix anything in these situations -- I can only listen and walk beside them. I give the care, but only God can give the cure. The care is very, very important to the people who are suffering, so that is what I can focus on. But any work done in their hearts and bodies is God's job. There is relief in that! It takes off the unnecessary expectations I put on myself. But this doesn't have to be true in just Stephen Ministry -- it is true in all of our lives! Whatever you are wanting God to do in your life or the life of someone you love, must be done by Him. We can plant seeds and water them in our words and actions, and we absolutely should, but God is the only one who can make it grow or change. Period.
"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." Because God is the Grower, this takes away my false pride. If my friend no longer has anxiety because of something I did or said, or if another friend is no longer getting a divorce because of my care for her, that is God's doing. Not mine. I am nothing when it comes to changing hearts. Again, it is all God, lest we think that we have the power to change people. Only God. Only God. I think Paul really wants us to understand those two word: Only God.
"The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." Now, I can hear what you might be thinking, if God is the only one who matters in this situation, why don't we just let Him do it all? But here Paul reminds us that we DO have purpose! God doesn't want to do it alone; He desires to partner with us! He could do it all alone, there's no doubt about that, but He chooses not to -- for His glory and our good. When we understand that God could do it without us, but chooses to use fallible people anyway, He gets some major glory, and we reap the benefits of learning to be better Christ followers! If God is using us to work in someone else's life, there's no doubt in my mind that He will also work in our lives in the process as we care for and love on others. Two for the price of one! And, not only that, but we will be rewarded according to what we've done. Our salvation is not based on what we do, but our rewards in Heaven one day will be! Working for the Lord reaps major benefits now and in the future! Keep doing it! Don't give up now!
"For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building." And we are reminded again that God is using all of us if we allow Him. So we are co-workers -- not in a school building or an office building, but co-workers in the world. God's work involves many different gifts and abilities. No one, not even Paul or Apollos, are the superstars here. We are co-workers, equally valuable, but with different tasks, if we allow God to use us. And He wants to! So, I don't need to look at the people around me and wish I could be doing what they are doing. God has me doing something equally important, and from my experience, it is usually where your passions are. So, continue developing those passions! That's quite possibly where God wants to use you!
5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
5 "What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul?" It's interesting how Paul doesn't say "who" regarding he and Apollos. He is focusing on their job, as servants. It can be so easy for me to get distracted by who I am rather than what I am. But God is meant to be the focus -- always. He is the "Who" in my story, and I am just His servant. I don't have to be ho-hum about this, because He doesn't look at me that way. I have worth because I am His child and His servant. When we can keep ourselves and God in the correct perspective, much of life's toughest questions can be answered. In a culture where our occupations are a large part of our identity, it's helpful to have the reminder that I am not my job; instead, I am a servant of the Most High. No matter what my occupation is, what I do matters because I am doing it for Him.
"Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task." Paul is trying to tell them that they are thinking more highly than even Paul thinks of himself. He knows that he is just God's servant. That's it. He doesn't encourage the people to think any higher of him than that. He was simply doing what God has assigned him to do. Don't you want that perspective -- that I'm just doing what God has assigned me to do? Perhaps you think, but I don't think the Lord has assigned me to do anything. That's not true! This verse reminds us that "the Lord has assigned to each his task." If you are a follower of Christ, you have a job to do. We will see the two specific jobs Paul is referencing in the next verse.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow." Paul acted as the missionary or evangelist to this young church at Corinth. He did his task of planting a seed, or telling people about God's love for them and what Jesus did for them, and then he moved on. Then, Apollos rose up a leader within the people who would build upon the foundation Paul had set. Apollos was more like their pastor, if you will, nurturing, encouraging and continuing to challenge the new believers there in Corinth. But Paul says that though they had different jobs to do, and they did obey and do those jobs, it was God who has made that seed grow. God (the trinity) is the one who allows His Word to be understood and acted upon.
For over a year now, I have been actively involved in a ministry at my church called Stephen Ministry. We are a group of caregivers in our church for people who are going through normal life crises, and we meet one-on-one with our Care Receiver once a week. This verse has really begun to stick out to me as a part of this ministry. We are interacting with people who are greatly hurting because of grief, divorce, anxiety, relational difficulties, illness, and even their own impending deaths. It is in these moments that I must remember that I cannot fix anything in these situations -- I can only listen and walk beside them. I give the care, but only God can give the cure. The care is very, very important to the people who are suffering, so that is what I can focus on. But any work done in their hearts and bodies is God's job. There is relief in that! It takes off the unnecessary expectations I put on myself. But this doesn't have to be true in just Stephen Ministry -- it is true in all of our lives! Whatever you are wanting God to do in your life or the life of someone you love, must be done by Him. We can plant seeds and water them in our words and actions, and we absolutely should, but God is the only one who can make it grow or change. Period.
"So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." Because God is the Grower, this takes away my false pride. If my friend no longer has anxiety because of something I did or said, or if another friend is no longer getting a divorce because of my care for her, that is God's doing. Not mine. I am nothing when it comes to changing hearts. Again, it is all God, lest we think that we have the power to change people. Only God. Only God. I think Paul really wants us to understand those two word: Only God.
"The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor." Now, I can hear what you might be thinking, if God is the only one who matters in this situation, why don't we just let Him do it all? But here Paul reminds us that we DO have purpose! God doesn't want to do it alone; He desires to partner with us! He could do it all alone, there's no doubt about that, but He chooses not to -- for His glory and our good. When we understand that God could do it without us, but chooses to use fallible people anyway, He gets some major glory, and we reap the benefits of learning to be better Christ followers! If God is using us to work in someone else's life, there's no doubt in my mind that He will also work in our lives in the process as we care for and love on others. Two for the price of one! And, not only that, but we will be rewarded according to what we've done. Our salvation is not based on what we do, but our rewards in Heaven one day will be! Working for the Lord reaps major benefits now and in the future! Keep doing it! Don't give up now!
"For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building." And we are reminded again that God is using all of us if we allow Him. So we are co-workers -- not in a school building or an office building, but co-workers in the world. God's work involves many different gifts and abilities. No one, not even Paul or Apollos, are the superstars here. We are co-workers, equally valuable, but with different tasks, if we allow God to use us. And He wants to! So, I don't need to look at the people around me and wish I could be doing what they are doing. God has me doing something equally important, and from my experience, it is usually where your passions are. So, continue developing those passions! That's quite possibly where God wants to use you!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 (Food and Four-Year-Olds)
1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
Recently, I have really begun to have an appreciation for GOOD food. Not just Applebee's or Don Pablos, but really good food. Food that takes lots of time to prepare and requires words like lyonnaise, bourguignon, and pappardelle (and lest you think too highly of me, I do not make this kind of food, but I like to purchase it at nice restaurants on occasion). My tastes and appreciations are changing, and it is so exciting! I love seafood now with a passion that would have make myself sick ten years ago. And that's just it...I'm a grown-up now, and I like grown-up foods, not the bland, frozen varieties that can be heated in seconds.
Keep this picture in mind as you think about what Paul is saying this morning. I can hear the love in his voice as he addresses them as 'brothers and sisters', but there must be some undertones of frustration as well. He is frustrated with their spiritual dealings with one another. He calls them mere infants in their relation to Christ! He says that because of this, when he last saw them, he gave them spiritual milk, not solid "adult" food because they weren't ready for it yet.
Isn't that the case with us? Four-year-olds don't like fish unless it's battered and deep fried, and they certainly wouldn't be ready to deal with the spicy horseradish in shrimp cocktail. They need bland, easy to swallow food. The same goes with the Corinthians level of spiritual maturity. They still need the basics. How does Paul know this?
He says, "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?" Why do we quarrel and get jealous? It's because we're not getting OUR way! I don't know who that reminds you of, but it sure reminds me of....four-year-olds. Young children think of themselves and what would make them feel good at any given moment. I'm sometimes shocked when I do see behavior like this in the adults at my work place or when I'm running errands around town, but I'm even more shocked and saddened when it's happening where Paul sees it -- the Church. Greater still, I am most saddened when I see this behavior in myself. There is nothing that makes me hang my head more than when I realize I have been like a four-year-old thinking only of "Me! Me! Me!"
In Paul's situation, people were arguing over who they were following: Paul (who originally came and preached to them when they had never heard preaching before), or Apollos (the "pastor" figure who stayed with them after Paul left who taught and encouraged them as new Believers). The people have begun to put Paul and Apollos on the pedestals instead of Jesus Christ. Don't we do this sometimes? We place certain Christian leaders as the be-all and end-all, following whatever they say we should do rather than looking at Christ Himself. Often, we find security or pride in the fact that people know "who we follow" in politics, theology, or entertainment. We have aligned ourselves with someone.
So what do these verses this tell us about what mature Christians would do? First of all, they are not concerned with themselves. They don't have to get their way all the time because they are not seeking their own plans but what the Lord desires; therefore, they do not find themselves in many quarrels and fights. Really think about that: how often are you seeking YOUR desires in a day rather than what God desires?
Secondly, we don't feel the need to align ourselves with certain people for our identity or status. This could be in the form of politicians, pastors, celebrities, or friends we know. It's not that we can't have opinions about people, but our identity and focus should be on Christ. He is the One we follow. He is the One we want to emulate. Question: Do people associate you as being a big fan of the Kardashians or a big fan of Christ? Do they associate you as Democratic or Republican, or do they associate you as Christian?
These are steps in the right direction to maturity...and isn't that what we want?
Recently, I have really begun to have an appreciation for GOOD food. Not just Applebee's or Don Pablos, but really good food. Food that takes lots of time to prepare and requires words like lyonnaise, bourguignon, and pappardelle (and lest you think too highly of me, I do not make this kind of food, but I like to purchase it at nice restaurants on occasion). My tastes and appreciations are changing, and it is so exciting! I love seafood now with a passion that would have make myself sick ten years ago. And that's just it...I'm a grown-up now, and I like grown-up foods, not the bland, frozen varieties that can be heated in seconds.
Keep this picture in mind as you think about what Paul is saying this morning. I can hear the love in his voice as he addresses them as 'brothers and sisters', but there must be some undertones of frustration as well. He is frustrated with their spiritual dealings with one another. He calls them mere infants in their relation to Christ! He says that because of this, when he last saw them, he gave them spiritual milk, not solid "adult" food because they weren't ready for it yet.
Isn't that the case with us? Four-year-olds don't like fish unless it's battered and deep fried, and they certainly wouldn't be ready to deal with the spicy horseradish in shrimp cocktail. They need bland, easy to swallow food. The same goes with the Corinthians level of spiritual maturity. They still need the basics. How does Paul know this?
He says, "You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?" Why do we quarrel and get jealous? It's because we're not getting OUR way! I don't know who that reminds you of, but it sure reminds me of....four-year-olds. Young children think of themselves and what would make them feel good at any given moment. I'm sometimes shocked when I do see behavior like this in the adults at my work place or when I'm running errands around town, but I'm even more shocked and saddened when it's happening where Paul sees it -- the Church. Greater still, I am most saddened when I see this behavior in myself. There is nothing that makes me hang my head more than when I realize I have been like a four-year-old thinking only of "Me! Me! Me!"
In Paul's situation, people were arguing over who they were following: Paul (who originally came and preached to them when they had never heard preaching before), or Apollos (the "pastor" figure who stayed with them after Paul left who taught and encouraged them as new Believers). The people have begun to put Paul and Apollos on the pedestals instead of Jesus Christ. Don't we do this sometimes? We place certain Christian leaders as the be-all and end-all, following whatever they say we should do rather than looking at Christ Himself. Often, we find security or pride in the fact that people know "who we follow" in politics, theology, or entertainment. We have aligned ourselves with someone.
So what do these verses this tell us about what mature Christians would do? First of all, they are not concerned with themselves. They don't have to get their way all the time because they are not seeking their own plans but what the Lord desires; therefore, they do not find themselves in many quarrels and fights. Really think about that: how often are you seeking YOUR desires in a day rather than what God desires?
Secondly, we don't feel the need to align ourselves with certain people for our identity or status. This could be in the form of politicians, pastors, celebrities, or friends we know. It's not that we can't have opinions about people, but our identity and focus should be on Christ. He is the One we follow. He is the One we want to emulate. Question: Do people associate you as being a big fan of the Kardashians or a big fan of Christ? Do they associate you as Democratic or Republican, or do they associate you as Christian?
These are steps in the right direction to maturity...and isn't that what we want?
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
1 Corinthians 2 (Our Source of Wisdom)
Alright friends, today's section of Scripture is not for the weak! I encourage you to stay with me and give it a try -- nothing is too hard for us to understand with God. Ask Him to open your mind before we get started, and He will fill it! This is written for US to know, not just Biblical scholars, so get ready for a powerful subject. I hope you will stick with me to the end!
1 "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power." Once again, we see Paul's humility as he reminds the church in Corinth of his first visit to them when he did not speak eloquently or with much wisdom in and of himself. He decided in advance that he would not speak of anything but Jesus Christ. He admits that he, even Paul, felt weak and fearful as he faced what God had called him to do -- he is human! He goes on to say that he did not speak persuasively out of his own doing like the Jewish rabbis and Greek orators might do, but he spoke as a vessel of the Holy Spirit who gave power to his words and opened people's hearts that they might understand and be moved and know it was God and not Paul's doing. Doesn't that take the pressure off? It sure does for me! This is a reminder that I don't need to know everything when I'm answering someone's question about Christianity, and I don't have to use special, "put together" words. The Holy Spirit gives the power to my simple speech, and I don't have to worry about that. It's up to Him!
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
Do you ever wonder why people just don't "get it" sometimes? When Christianity makes SO much sense to you, and God has worked in your life in major ways, you FEEL that. And then you have someone who seems to have blinders on, and you wonder how he/she is not as excited about something in the Bible as you are? Or perhaps you are the one who wonders why everyone is so excited, and you just don't get what all the hype is about? Look at verse 10: this knowledge and understanding is all revealed by the Holy Spirit. We can't learn it ourselves or teach it ourselves. He must do that. The wisdom and knowledge in the Bible are wisdom among the mature (Christians) but not wisdom to those who are perishing (non-Christians). Paul warns us here that without the Holy Spirit, we CANNOT understand the Bible! I know people who have come to know Christ late in life and have said that all their life they would open a Bible and be so confused. Then, once they had accepted Christ into their lives (and also received the Holy Spirit at that time), the Bible made sense to them! Isn't that incredible?! Once again, that proves to me that the Holy Spirit is the one granting us the ability to understand. It is a secret wisdom, this knowledge of God's love for us and of Christ dying for us, that God Himself reveals to each of us personally. How intimate that is between God and us! The Old Testament declares, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Paul reminds us of that passage, and then says this, "but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." He says, but not anymore, folks! Now we have Christ! And God is revealing His plan to us. We are no longer waiting for a Messiah, and now we have seen Him! We may not know all of God's full plan yet, but we are coming to know it even now. Our eyes are beginning to see, our ears are beginning to hear and our minds are just beginning to conceive what God has prepared for us who love Him! And this knowledge is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit only -- no one or no where else.
"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." That Spirit understands the deepest parts of us, the deepest parts of what's going on in our world, and even the deepest parts of God! Then Paul gives us this word picture: no one knows my thoughts better than I do because they are in MY mind. In the same way, the Holy Spirit knows God's thoughts because He is God. (Yes, this is confusing. It's hard for me to wrap my head around completely. Takes me back to yesterday: God is a LOT wiser and stronger than me. So as long as He knows what He's doing, and He does, I can trust even the parts I don't understand.) So...the Holy Spirit knows God's mind, thoughts, and wisdom. Ya with me on that? Okay...here comes the awesome part...WE have received that exact same Spirit! The one that knows God's thoughts lives in us! We don't just have the wisdom of the world anymore, but with His spirit, now we are meant to understand all that God has freely given us with wisdom that comes from God!
13 "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." As Christians, we speak using words taught to us by the Holy Spirit, who is the same Spirit that knows God's mind, thoughts and wisdom. He IS that God, because God is three parts: The Father, the Son, AND the Holy Spirit. We use that wisdom from the Spirit even today -- we can speak spiritual truths to each other. Just last week, I was having a really tough time with a particular current struggle in my life that is too raw to share at this moment, but I'm sure I will someday. I met with a friend after work and shared my struggles with her. She and I talk often of spiritual things and challenge each other in our relationships and walks with Christ. She spoke words to me that day that were far beyond human wisdom, and when we left, I can say that I felt I had been with Jesus. I know we were not the only two people in our conversation that afternoon, but God's Spirit was there with us, guiding her to counsel and encourage me. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever been with someone and left them thinking, "that was more than just a cup of coffee" or "that was more than just a sermon today." That is this Holy Spirit -- giving the speaker words of His wisdom to say and the listener the ability to understand it.
14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." So in case you were still wondering...there is it plain and simple. Non-Christians think Christian ideals are foolish. Let that be no surprise to us when people poke fun at Christians, call us foolish, ignorant, narrow-minded, etc. Paul's telling us. They WILL think you foolish. The things of God or spiritually discerned, so if you don't have the spirit, you can't discern them. On the contrary, we as Christians, are called to do the opposite...discern what the Spirit is telling us.
15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing and should be playing an active part in what God's spirit is nudging us to do. However, we can't be judged by unspiritual critics -- it means nothing once we have God's spirit. So we don't need to worry about the judgements the world puts on us...let them go. Isaiah's question from long ago, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has now been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit.
If you're still with me, friend, I applaud you! This was a tough section, maybe a little deeper theologically than we are used to going in the morning, huh? It took me two days to trudge through this part because I was only halfway done yesterday when I had to leave for work! I am proud of you if you made it all the way, and I know God is glad to see your resolve to understand His Word. We are honoring Him with our minds when we don't give up even when our brains are starting to hurt. If this passage is still a little foggy for you, that's okay! To steal a reference from tomorrow's section, this is no "spiritual milk" you just ingested! But wherever you are spiritually, I hope you were able to grasp something new today -- and if you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, then you don't have this Spirit in you, my friend. I urge you to surrender your life to Him!
As you go about your way today, remember that you have the same Spirit who knows God's heart, mind, and thoughts IN YOU. He is the one guiding you today, so just call on Him whenever you need to as you go about your day. He gives wisdom generously whenever we ask! (see James 1:5) This same spirit in you is the one who raised Jesus from the DEAD! Think of the kind of power that is! Now if that doesn't allow you walk a little taller into your day today, I don't know what will!
Go confidently, my friend...
1 "When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power." Once again, we see Paul's humility as he reminds the church in Corinth of his first visit to them when he did not speak eloquently or with much wisdom in and of himself. He decided in advance that he would not speak of anything but Jesus Christ. He admits that he, even Paul, felt weak and fearful as he faced what God had called him to do -- he is human! He goes on to say that he did not speak persuasively out of his own doing like the Jewish rabbis and Greek orators might do, but he spoke as a vessel of the Holy Spirit who gave power to his words and opened people's hearts that they might understand and be moved and know it was God and not Paul's doing. Doesn't that take the pressure off? It sure does for me! This is a reminder that I don't need to know everything when I'm answering someone's question about Christianity, and I don't have to use special, "put together" words. The Holy Spirit gives the power to my simple speech, and I don't have to worry about that. It's up to Him!
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen,
no ear has heard,
no mind has conceived
what God has prepared for those who love him”—
10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.
Do you ever wonder why people just don't "get it" sometimes? When Christianity makes SO much sense to you, and God has worked in your life in major ways, you FEEL that. And then you have someone who seems to have blinders on, and you wonder how he/she is not as excited about something in the Bible as you are? Or perhaps you are the one who wonders why everyone is so excited, and you just don't get what all the hype is about? Look at verse 10: this knowledge and understanding is all revealed by the Holy Spirit. We can't learn it ourselves or teach it ourselves. He must do that. The wisdom and knowledge in the Bible are wisdom among the mature (Christians) but not wisdom to those who are perishing (non-Christians). Paul warns us here that without the Holy Spirit, we CANNOT understand the Bible! I know people who have come to know Christ late in life and have said that all their life they would open a Bible and be so confused. Then, once they had accepted Christ into their lives (and also received the Holy Spirit at that time), the Bible made sense to them! Isn't that incredible?! Once again, that proves to me that the Holy Spirit is the one granting us the ability to understand. It is a secret wisdom, this knowledge of God's love for us and of Christ dying for us, that God Himself reveals to each of us personally. How intimate that is between God and us! The Old Testament declares, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” Paul reminds us of that passage, and then says this, "but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit." He says, but not anymore, folks! Now we have Christ! And God is revealing His plan to us. We are no longer waiting for a Messiah, and now we have seen Him! We may not know all of God's full plan yet, but we are coming to know it even now. Our eyes are beginning to see, our ears are beginning to hear and our minds are just beginning to conceive what God has prepared for us who love Him! And this knowledge is revealed to us by the Holy Spirit only -- no one or no where else.
"The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." That Spirit understands the deepest parts of us, the deepest parts of what's going on in our world, and even the deepest parts of God! Then Paul gives us this word picture: no one knows my thoughts better than I do because they are in MY mind. In the same way, the Holy Spirit knows God's thoughts because He is God. (Yes, this is confusing. It's hard for me to wrap my head around completely. Takes me back to yesterday: God is a LOT wiser and stronger than me. So as long as He knows what He's doing, and He does, I can trust even the parts I don't understand.) So...the Holy Spirit knows God's mind, thoughts, and wisdom. Ya with me on that? Okay...here comes the awesome part...WE have received that exact same Spirit! The one that knows God's thoughts lives in us! We don't just have the wisdom of the world anymore, but with His spirit, now we are meant to understand all that God has freely given us with wisdom that comes from God!
13 "This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." As Christians, we speak using words taught to us by the Holy Spirit, who is the same Spirit that knows God's mind, thoughts and wisdom. He IS that God, because God is three parts: The Father, the Son, AND the Holy Spirit. We use that wisdom from the Spirit even today -- we can speak spiritual truths to each other. Just last week, I was having a really tough time with a particular current struggle in my life that is too raw to share at this moment, but I'm sure I will someday. I met with a friend after work and shared my struggles with her. She and I talk often of spiritual things and challenge each other in our relationships and walks with Christ. She spoke words to me that day that were far beyond human wisdom, and when we left, I can say that I felt I had been with Jesus. I know we were not the only two people in our conversation that afternoon, but God's Spirit was there with us, guiding her to counsel and encourage me. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever been with someone and left them thinking, "that was more than just a cup of coffee" or "that was more than just a sermon today." That is this Holy Spirit -- giving the speaker words of His wisdom to say and the listener the ability to understand it.
14 "The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." So in case you were still wondering...there is it plain and simple. Non-Christians think Christian ideals are foolish. Let that be no surprise to us when people poke fun at Christians, call us foolish, ignorant, narrow-minded, etc. Paul's telling us. They WILL think you foolish. The things of God or spiritually discerned, so if you don't have the spirit, you can't discern them. On the contrary, we as Christians, are called to do the opposite...discern what the Spirit is telling us.
15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:
16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord
that he may instruct him?”
But we have the mind of Christ.
Spiritually alive, we have access to everything God's Spirit is doing and should be playing an active part in what God's spirit is nudging us to do. However, we can't be judged by unspiritual critics -- it means nothing once we have God's spirit. So we don't need to worry about the judgements the world puts on us...let them go. Isaiah's question from long ago, "Is there anyone around who knows God's Spirit, anyone who knows what he is doing?" has now been answered: Christ knows, and we have Christ's Spirit.
If you're still with me, friend, I applaud you! This was a tough section, maybe a little deeper theologically than we are used to going in the morning, huh? It took me two days to trudge through this part because I was only halfway done yesterday when I had to leave for work! I am proud of you if you made it all the way, and I know God is glad to see your resolve to understand His Word. We are honoring Him with our minds when we don't give up even when our brains are starting to hurt. If this passage is still a little foggy for you, that's okay! To steal a reference from tomorrow's section, this is no "spiritual milk" you just ingested! But wherever you are spiritually, I hope you were able to grasp something new today -- and if you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, then you don't have this Spirit in you, my friend. I urge you to surrender your life to Him!
As you go about your way today, remember that you have the same Spirit who knows God's heart, mind, and thoughts IN YOU. He is the one guiding you today, so just call on Him whenever you need to as you go about your day. He gives wisdom generously whenever we ask! (see James 1:5) This same spirit in you is the one who raised Jesus from the DEAD! Think of the kind of power that is! Now if that doesn't allow you walk a little taller into your day today, I don't know what will!
Go confidently, my friend...
Monday, January 23, 2012
1 Corinthians 1:17-25 (Wisdom and Weakness)
17 "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." Here Paul is not minimizing baptism; rather, he is proclaiming that the mission God gave him was to preach, not baptize. (If you look in the previous verse, remember he was trying to convince the people that they were not baptized into the name of Paul but into the name of Jesus -- Jesus is the one they, and Paul, are following). So, Paul's calling is just to proclaim Christ. And he says that he does not preach with wisdom and eloquence, or the persuasive techniques the Jewish rabbis and Greek philosophers had developed. In our human-ness, we like to be entertained, and we appreciate good orators...not so in Paul. There's nothing fancy about how he speaks of Christ, so that all the power can be given to Christ and His cross.
18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Paul wants his audience to focus on the message and not on him! His message is the cross, which seems absolutely ridiculous to non-Christians. Just look at how Christians are portrayed in the media -- we're dumb, right? And remember a few years ago when the man went into the Amish schoolhouse and murdered a bunch of children, and then the Amish families went and consoled and forgave the family of the murderer -- the media had NO idea what to do with that! They thought the Amish people were being naive! Christianity is foolishness to them! And in Paul's day, people couldn't believe the idea that their Savior had supposedly just died via the equivalent of today's electric chair! I think I can understand why they'd think it foolishness.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Here Paul reminds them what they already know because it is in their Scripture already. These words would be familiar to them, but Paul speaks them in a new context -- Jesus. In His wisdom, God didn't want the idea of Jesus, the Messiah to be flippant. His Kingdom runs a different way than our current kingdoms, remember? The weak are the strongest. The humble and meek are raised in honor. The poor are considered rich. But today's "intellectual people" don't understand this at all -- it doesn't seem to make sense in their logic. It seems foolish and frustrating that people would follow such beliefs. And that's where God gets all the glory. He set it up that way on purpose!
20-21 "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." The questions posed here are rhetorical, because Paul's hoping they're starting to get his point by now. The cross, which seems so foolish to the world, is actually where wisdom and salvation are found! (Imagine all the jaws dropping to the floor at this point.) Then, Paul goes on to say that as hard as we have tried all throughout humanity and even throughout the Old Testament, the world could not understand Him in their own "wisdom" and that worldly wisdom would not be the means by which we would come to know Him. It does take humility to allow ourselves to trust in this story of redemption that God died on a cross (the worst pain and most humiliating death) for me. I can't buy my salvation (which wealthy people don't understand), and I can't debate my way to earn salvation (which the intelligent people don't understand), and I can't manipulate or excuse my way to earn salvation (which criminals and prideful people don't understand). This is the way God designed it, and it rather knocks us off our feet when we really begin to grasp this plan and design!
22-24 "Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Paul knows his audience. The Jews were looking for all these signs of the Messiah that they were told about -- a literal Prince of Peace. But Jesus was not a prince and ruler as we know the terms. And the Greeks, in all their study and philosophies, could not imagine that no reputable person, especially their Savior, would allow Himself to die a criminal's death or be a criminal by their nation's standards. Yet it is these very people, the Jews and the Greeks, whom God has called Paul tells them.
I wonder what our stumbling block as Americans would be. I think I know: image. As in all our presidents in the past few decades, as an overall society, we want a leader who looks good, who looks put together, and who knows and is seen with all the right people. We want a "pretty" person. I wonder how put together and pretty Jesus looked since He spent most of His days wandering around outside in the heat and dust while loving the unlovable. We don't know a lot of how He looked, but the Bible does say, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). I'm not sure we would've held Him in high esteem if He were here today.
25 "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (I don't think God had ANY weaknesses. I think that line is an example of hyperbole to make a point). This is the good news...God's wisdom is not our wisdom. God knows our silly human desires, but goes ahead with His plan, His better plan anyway. He knows that His kingdom looks silly to some, but once we are part of it, it doesn't look so silly anymore does it? It's as if blinders have been removed! I can see, oh yes, this is much better! I am so thankful that the God I serve is THIS much greater than me, and not only that, He loves me. His wisdom is the best, and can I surrender my life and my desires to Him? Where I am weak, He is wise. His wisdom is what I desire. I may not understand it, but I trust it.
Can you say that this morning?
18 "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." Paul wants his audience to focus on the message and not on him! His message is the cross, which seems absolutely ridiculous to non-Christians. Just look at how Christians are portrayed in the media -- we're dumb, right? And remember a few years ago when the man went into the Amish schoolhouse and murdered a bunch of children, and then the Amish families went and consoled and forgave the family of the murderer -- the media had NO idea what to do with that! They thought the Amish people were being naive! Christianity is foolishness to them! And in Paul's day, people couldn't believe the idea that their Savior had supposedly just died via the equivalent of today's electric chair! I think I can understand why they'd think it foolishness.
19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Here Paul reminds them what they already know because it is in their Scripture already. These words would be familiar to them, but Paul speaks them in a new context -- Jesus. In His wisdom, God didn't want the idea of Jesus, the Messiah to be flippant. His Kingdom runs a different way than our current kingdoms, remember? The weak are the strongest. The humble and meek are raised in honor. The poor are considered rich. But today's "intellectual people" don't understand this at all -- it doesn't seem to make sense in their logic. It seems foolish and frustrating that people would follow such beliefs. And that's where God gets all the glory. He set it up that way on purpose!
20-21 "Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe." The questions posed here are rhetorical, because Paul's hoping they're starting to get his point by now. The cross, which seems so foolish to the world, is actually where wisdom and salvation are found! (Imagine all the jaws dropping to the floor at this point.) Then, Paul goes on to say that as hard as we have tried all throughout humanity and even throughout the Old Testament, the world could not understand Him in their own "wisdom" and that worldly wisdom would not be the means by which we would come to know Him. It does take humility to allow ourselves to trust in this story of redemption that God died on a cross (the worst pain and most humiliating death) for me. I can't buy my salvation (which wealthy people don't understand), and I can't debate my way to earn salvation (which the intelligent people don't understand), and I can't manipulate or excuse my way to earn salvation (which criminals and prideful people don't understand). This is the way God designed it, and it rather knocks us off our feet when we really begin to grasp this plan and design!
22-24 "Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." Paul knows his audience. The Jews were looking for all these signs of the Messiah that they were told about -- a literal Prince of Peace. But Jesus was not a prince and ruler as we know the terms. And the Greeks, in all their study and philosophies, could not imagine that no reputable person, especially their Savior, would allow Himself to die a criminal's death or be a criminal by their nation's standards. Yet it is these very people, the Jews and the Greeks, whom God has called Paul tells them.
I wonder what our stumbling block as Americans would be. I think I know: image. As in all our presidents in the past few decades, as an overall society, we want a leader who looks good, who looks put together, and who knows and is seen with all the right people. We want a "pretty" person. I wonder how put together and pretty Jesus looked since He spent most of His days wandering around outside in the heat and dust while loving the unlovable. We don't know a lot of how He looked, but the Bible does say, "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). I'm not sure we would've held Him in high esteem if He were here today.
25 "For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength." (I don't think God had ANY weaknesses. I think that line is an example of hyperbole to make a point). This is the good news...God's wisdom is not our wisdom. God knows our silly human desires, but goes ahead with His plan, His better plan anyway. He knows that His kingdom looks silly to some, but once we are part of it, it doesn't look so silly anymore does it? It's as if blinders have been removed! I can see, oh yes, this is much better! I am so thankful that the God I serve is THIS much greater than me, and not only that, He loves me. His wisdom is the best, and can I surrender my life and my desires to Him? Where I am weak, He is wise. His wisdom is what I desire. I may not understand it, but I trust it.
Can you say that this morning?
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