Those who do not claim Christ may look at Christianity and think, "How constricting! So many rules!" At least, I know that's what many people in my life, even some Christians, have said. Yet, I hope that you have found that these "rules" or boundaries have actually led to more freedom and peace in your life. I know they have mine! That's the beauty of Christ. Life with Him has been immeasurably less constricting, and instead has freed my heart to live with joy and assurance. I know that I don't do this thing correctly all the time, but it is most certainly the way I desire and try to live! It's true, as I continue to grow in Christ, I find more and more freedom, not constriction.
So it was with the Corinthians. It was quite normal for sheep, goats, etc, to be sacrificed to the pagan gods in the temple, and after they bled to death on the altar, they would sell the meat to the local butcher who would sell it to the townspeople! I had always wondered what happened to all that meat, and now I know! So, the Christians struggled with whether or not they should buy this mean since it had been sacrificed to a pagan god.
I have to tell you that if someone would have asked me what I thought the Bible would say about this, I would have guessed that it would say we should not eat it because of the unholy purpose it had been used for, but instead, this is what Paul says:
4 So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world” and that “There is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), 6 yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. In other words, he is saying that these supposed "gods" are nothing -- they are the equivalent of a tall tale -- and they have no power or identity. They are just wood or stone. And even if there are any other forces or gods in the world (like the pagan gods or other lords of nations), it doesn't matter because ours is the true God from whom all things came! He is the one with all the power!
Isn't that crazy how much assurance Paul has? He's not concerned at all about actually eating the meat, because it's as if a child played with a little, and then we ate it. That's all the pagans were doing, in other words, mere "play" as far as any real power is concerned. Jesus is the God, the Lord, the Master.
7 But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. 8 But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Oh, there's that word knowledge again. Remember from yesterday, that knowledge means nothing if it without love? And not everyone, including myself apparently, really understands this knowledge and freedom that comes when we know who the one True God is! So logically, nothing happened to the meat when it was sacrificed to the idol because the idol is nothing -- it's just a piece of stone. The meat at the butcher is still just like any other meat!
But many of these new Christians were probably former idol worshipers themselves, and it was difficult for them to separate their knowledge from their former way of living. They thought that there was still something bad in the meat from being in the pagan altar and that the evil might be going into them. That way of thinking was ingrained in them, and it was not going to change overnight. Fortunately for us, our closeness with God is not graded based on our diet, but Paul wanted the Christians to be sensitive to the new believers in this.
9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by your knowledge. The issue becomes your others-centered view. You may know that there are freedoms in the Lord, but if a new Christian sees you, the mature and knowledgeable Believer, participating in an activity that they are still struggling over, the danger is that he may become terribly confused and mixed up in his conscience about the issue, and begin down a path that might be destructive to them because they have not yet matured in their faith.
One area where I see this very prevalent today is in the idea of alcohol. You and I may differ on the idea of alcohol (and I'm not saying that I know I'm right), but I think from what I've read in the Bible that there is a freedom in Christ that allows me to enjoy a glass of wine, not in excess, but within boundaries that the Bible sets up. However, I am also very aware that many Christians feel strongly that they shouldn't have even a sip. And who am I to say that they are wrong and MY knowledge is right?! Paul has something very strict to say about this:
12 When you sin against them in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall. If I am the cause of wounding the sensitive conscience of a fellow Believer, then I have sinned, it says. I should be more concerned about him/her than I am about having my glass of wine! I don't want my freedoms to lead others away from Christ, and I most certainly do not want to think that my knowledge is superior.
We are all learning, aren't we? We are all a work in progress. So yes, we have freedoms. But more important than freedoms is the way we love and respect each other. That is the key today, my friend! Be sensitive to the other Christians, especially the newer ones, around you.
Coffee with Jesus
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (Opinions and Love)
In conversations with Josh, when I want him to tell me what he thinks about something, I will often refer to the fact that I could, at this very moment, give him my opinion about anything. Point to anything, and I can tell you what I think about that object, topic, or person. (It has been a process for me to realize that Josh is a thinker, and it's harder for him to tell me his opinion until he quietly thinks about it.)
It takes a very conscious effort for me to withhold my opinions sometimes, especially when I am not asked my opinion...because after all, if people wanted to know my opinion on something, they'd ask, right? Now, after a couple run-ins with a very opinionated woman, who was absolutely exhausting and annoying to be with, I decided I was on the track to being like her, and something needed to change.
So, I have a lot to say on these three little verses today, because this is something where I need some work. It bothers me SO much when I see overly-opinionated people who force their opinions on others and who will never listen to another side because they just know they're right. The conversation with those people is one-sided, which makes it not a conversation at all. They have no love -- they just want to be right. Well, this bothers me a lot, and often the things that bother us most in others are, low-and-behold, present in us, too. Ouch.
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. There, Paul said it. He said, yes Molly. Everyone knows that you have some knowledge or opinion you'd like to impart, because we ALL do! We all do. Everyone thinks their knowledge is the correct knowledge, or we wouldn't think what we do. (We'll get back to the food sacrificed to idols part tomorrow).
...But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Paul says, we know that you have knowledge and opinions, BUT. That "but" means that knowledge is not the most important thing. Knowledge does make us feel important -- it's as if we have this gem that someone else doesn't have. It's a one-upper! And all it does is puff us up -- our heads, our chests, our pride. And just like we humans do, we take something good that God made, like knowledge and wisdom, and turn it into something we can lord over others. We've twisted it, and made it to be something that makes people feel less-than. BUT LOVE...here comes the opposite. Love builds. Love lasts. You can let the air out of something that is "puffed" up, but if something is built, it's much stronger and more solid. And what is LOVE? Perhaps you remember, that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Cor. 13:4-5).
Everyone doesn't have to agree with our opinions, because that's just what they -- AN OPINION. Our opinions are not always the truth, and they that are not what is important at all. But we do need to love.
So how do we change this desire to be right and to spread our way of thinking?
2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. The grip that "being right" has on us is tight, but there is a way to change our desires. We must acknowledge that we do not know everything. In fact, if we think we know a lot, then we really don't know much at all, because if we really knew God, we would know just how little we do know. Our humble hearts reveal a wisdom and knowledge far greater than our proud minds. Our strong opinions often make it difficult for us to be willing to listen and learn from God and others. But we obtain God's knowledge only by loving Him. He is the source of all knowledge. And it is not our knowledge, but our love, that counts in God's eyes.
I recently heard a prominent pastor as he was being interviewed. The person asked the pastor if he would give his opinion on something, and this humble, older man chuckled and said, "I can give you an opinion, but it may not be right." I look at this man and think that whatever he'd say surely must be the truth because he just oozes Jesus, but even with all his years and fame, he still knew that it was not he but God who knows everything.
May that be the attitude of my heart, too.
I don't know everything. I just don't. And just because I feel strongly about something, doesn't automatically make it right. I still need to speak gently and with love. And when I hold myself up beside the perfection of Jesus, I am wrong...a lot.
Lord, help me to be humble in my interactions with people today. Help me to seek only Your wisdom, and not for the sake of my own pride, but that I might better love the people in my life.
It takes a very conscious effort for me to withhold my opinions sometimes, especially when I am not asked my opinion...because after all, if people wanted to know my opinion on something, they'd ask, right? Now, after a couple run-ins with a very opinionated woman, who was absolutely exhausting and annoying to be with, I decided I was on the track to being like her, and something needed to change.
So, I have a lot to say on these three little verses today, because this is something where I need some work. It bothers me SO much when I see overly-opinionated people who force their opinions on others and who will never listen to another side because they just know they're right. The conversation with those people is one-sided, which makes it not a conversation at all. They have no love -- they just want to be right. Well, this bothers me a lot, and often the things that bother us most in others are, low-and-behold, present in us, too. Ouch.
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. There, Paul said it. He said, yes Molly. Everyone knows that you have some knowledge or opinion you'd like to impart, because we ALL do! We all do. Everyone thinks their knowledge is the correct knowledge, or we wouldn't think what we do. (We'll get back to the food sacrificed to idols part tomorrow).
...But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Paul says, we know that you have knowledge and opinions, BUT. That "but" means that knowledge is not the most important thing. Knowledge does make us feel important -- it's as if we have this gem that someone else doesn't have. It's a one-upper! And all it does is puff us up -- our heads, our chests, our pride. And just like we humans do, we take something good that God made, like knowledge and wisdom, and turn it into something we can lord over others. We've twisted it, and made it to be something that makes people feel less-than. BUT LOVE...here comes the opposite. Love builds. Love lasts. You can let the air out of something that is "puffed" up, but if something is built, it's much stronger and more solid. And what is LOVE? Perhaps you remember, that "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Cor. 13:4-5).
Everyone doesn't have to agree with our opinions, because that's just what they -- AN OPINION. Our opinions are not always the truth, and they that are not what is important at all. But we do need to love.
So how do we change this desire to be right and to spread our way of thinking?
2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God. The grip that "being right" has on us is tight, but there is a way to change our desires. We must acknowledge that we do not know everything. In fact, if we think we know a lot, then we really don't know much at all, because if we really knew God, we would know just how little we do know. Our humble hearts reveal a wisdom and knowledge far greater than our proud minds. Our strong opinions often make it difficult for us to be willing to listen and learn from God and others. But we obtain God's knowledge only by loving Him. He is the source of all knowledge. And it is not our knowledge, but our love, that counts in God's eyes.
I recently heard a prominent pastor as he was being interviewed. The person asked the pastor if he would give his opinion on something, and this humble, older man chuckled and said, "I can give you an opinion, but it may not be right." I look at this man and think that whatever he'd say surely must be the truth because he just oozes Jesus, but even with all his years and fame, he still knew that it was not he but God who knows everything.
May that be the attitude of my heart, too.
I don't know everything. I just don't. And just because I feel strongly about something, doesn't automatically make it right. I still need to speak gently and with love. And when I hold myself up beside the perfection of Jesus, I am wrong...a lot.
Lord, help me to be humble in my interactions with people today. Help me to seek only Your wisdom, and not for the sake of my own pride, but that I might better love the people in my life.
Friday, April 13, 2012
1 Corinthians 7:17-24 (God's Will for You & 1,000 Steps)
"What is God's will for my life?"
That is a very common and understandable question -- and at the root of it, for most of us who read this blog anyway, is a desire to do whatever it is that would please God the most. I have often said things like, "Lord, I don't know if I should marry the person I'm dating or not...what's Your will for me in this?" or "Lord, we're looking to buy a house...what house should I buy?" or "Lord, I have two job possibilities...which one should I take?"
I think we somehow think that God's will for us is this one, concise dot-of-a-will, and if we don't get on that dot and stay on it, then we are out of God's plan for us -- it's the belief that there is one specific plan, and we'd better find out what it is and then do that! But, I'm coming to find that I think the Lord gives us a little more freedom in terms of "His Will" for our lives. Of course he cares about every part of our lives, because He loves us so deeply. But what I am learning, is that God cares most that our hearts are pure, and if our hearts are pure and we're making choices that are pleasing to Him, THAT is what would please God the most. It's not one specific dot that we have to figure out, but rather it's just having a heart that wants to be like Jesus, and then taking 1,000 little steps in the right direction. That's why it's called our "walk" with God.
This gives me some freedom because I don't have to fret about finding "The One" that I'm supposed to marry (because that's even foolishness...my dad has been married twice now because of the death of my mom, so he clearly God did not have "just one" woman for him). But instead of asking specifically WHO, we should be asking if they have qualities that would please and honor God. If they do (because they love Jesus), and we are passionate about that person, then marry them! What will please God most is that the two of you fight for your marriage and continue to love and serve one another, even on the hard days. That is God's Will for you.
With finding jobs and houses, we should weigh factors like: How will this affect the people around me? How will this affect my relationship with God? How will I give an account for this decision when I see God one day? Should we leave a lifetime of relationships and ministry to be able to live in Florida?...umm...I'm not sure if weather is the most important thing to God. In our jobs, should we pack up our families, pull the kids out of school, leave dear friends and a good church, and move three states away for a mere $10,000 more a year?...again, I don't think a little more money is always the most important thing to God.
But, if both jobs, or both houses, are great, and can stand up to those questions...then pick the one you want most! Sure, seek wisdom from the Lord, of course, but I am learning that there is so much freedom in our every day decisions...it's our HEARTS that the Lord is most concerned about. The Bible is full of teaching on our HEARTS, but it never describes the type of house we're supposed to buy, which job to take, or even the specific person we're supposed to marry. Let's look at the passage today...
17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
This comes right after the section from yesterday on singleness versus marriage. So, I can infer that wherever the Lord has placed you, in a marriage, in a church, in a season of singleness, you should continue there. Steadfastness. None of this hopping from one person to another or from one church to another. God, not your marital status, defines you. God's will is that you continue...1,000 more little steps toward Him, wherever you currently are. THAT is what He's most concerned about! We need to live, love and obey right where we are, for THIS is where God has us right now. That is His Will for you.
18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
Another freeing command here. Now that they are Christ followers, the Jews were trying to rid themselves of the physical evidence that they were Jewish. But verse 19 says that is makes no difference! Again, look at what it says is the important thing: keeping God's commandments which is just obeying Christ (a heart issue). The great news here is that if you are covered in tattoos, keep 'em! If you like to have crazy hair and none of the other Christians around you do, keep it! It makes no difference to God...what matters to Him is your heart and your obedience. That is His Will for you.
20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
And just because we have become Christians, doesn't mean we need to go find other work (unless what you're doing is in direct opposition to the Bible). But wherever you are, whether you work for someone or you own the whole company, stay where you are and honor God with your life in that workplace. In verse 22, Paul reminds us that we are part of a new kingdom now that belongs to the Lord. If you are the underdog in this world, you are now of great worth because of Christ; and if you are held high by this world, you now have the opportunity to experience the joy it is to be a slave or servant of Christ! That is God's will for you!
23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
In all things, we must remember that we were once held hostage by this sinful society, but now we have been bought and saved for a very high cost, and praise God, we now belong to Jesus! So now, our gift back to the Lord is what we do with our lives, not what house we buy, what job we take, or what specific person we marry, but by making just the next right choice. This "walk with God" is a marathon, and my prayer is that we will continually be walking closer to Him.
But for now, don't even worry about 1,000 steps. Just look to Him this morning to direct your paths, because He cares SO greatly for you. Then, walk one more step toward Him.
That is God's Will for your life.
That is a very common and understandable question -- and at the root of it, for most of us who read this blog anyway, is a desire to do whatever it is that would please God the most. I have often said things like, "Lord, I don't know if I should marry the person I'm dating or not...what's Your will for me in this?" or "Lord, we're looking to buy a house...what house should I buy?" or "Lord, I have two job possibilities...which one should I take?"
I think we somehow think that God's will for us is this one, concise dot-of-a-will, and if we don't get on that dot and stay on it, then we are out of God's plan for us -- it's the belief that there is one specific plan, and we'd better find out what it is and then do that! But, I'm coming to find that I think the Lord gives us a little more freedom in terms of "His Will" for our lives. Of course he cares about every part of our lives, because He loves us so deeply. But what I am learning, is that God cares most that our hearts are pure, and if our hearts are pure and we're making choices that are pleasing to Him, THAT is what would please God the most. It's not one specific dot that we have to figure out, but rather it's just having a heart that wants to be like Jesus, and then taking 1,000 little steps in the right direction. That's why it's called our "walk" with God.
This gives me some freedom because I don't have to fret about finding "The One" that I'm supposed to marry (because that's even foolishness...my dad has been married twice now because of the death of my mom, so he clearly God did not have "just one" woman for him). But instead of asking specifically WHO, we should be asking if they have qualities that would please and honor God. If they do (because they love Jesus), and we are passionate about that person, then marry them! What will please God most is that the two of you fight for your marriage and continue to love and serve one another, even on the hard days. That is God's Will for you.
With finding jobs and houses, we should weigh factors like: How will this affect the people around me? How will this affect my relationship with God? How will I give an account for this decision when I see God one day? Should we leave a lifetime of relationships and ministry to be able to live in Florida?...umm...I'm not sure if weather is the most important thing to God. In our jobs, should we pack up our families, pull the kids out of school, leave dear friends and a good church, and move three states away for a mere $10,000 more a year?...again, I don't think a little more money is always the most important thing to God.
But, if both jobs, or both houses, are great, and can stand up to those questions...then pick the one you want most! Sure, seek wisdom from the Lord, of course, but I am learning that there is so much freedom in our every day decisions...it's our HEARTS that the Lord is most concerned about. The Bible is full of teaching on our HEARTS, but it never describes the type of house we're supposed to buy, which job to take, or even the specific person we're supposed to marry. Let's look at the passage today...
17 Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.
This comes right after the section from yesterday on singleness versus marriage. So, I can infer that wherever the Lord has placed you, in a marriage, in a church, in a season of singleness, you should continue there. Steadfastness. None of this hopping from one person to another or from one church to another. God, not your marital status, defines you. God's will is that you continue...1,000 more little steps toward Him, wherever you currently are. THAT is what He's most concerned about! We need to live, love and obey right where we are, for THIS is where God has us right now. That is His Will for you.
18 For instance, a man who was circumcised before he became a believer should not try to reverse it. And the man who was uncircumcised when he became a believer should not be circumcised now. 19 For it makes no difference whether or not a man has been circumcised. The important thing is to keep God’s commandments.
Another freeing command here. Now that they are Christ followers, the Jews were trying to rid themselves of the physical evidence that they were Jewish. But verse 19 says that is makes no difference! Again, look at what it says is the important thing: keeping God's commandments which is just obeying Christ (a heart issue). The great news here is that if you are covered in tattoos, keep 'em! If you like to have crazy hair and none of the other Christians around you do, keep it! It makes no difference to God...what matters to Him is your heart and your obedience. That is His Will for you.
20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don’t let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ.
And just because we have become Christians, doesn't mean we need to go find other work (unless what you're doing is in direct opposition to the Bible). But wherever you are, whether you work for someone or you own the whole company, stay where you are and honor God with your life in that workplace. In verse 22, Paul reminds us that we are part of a new kingdom now that belongs to the Lord. If you are the underdog in this world, you are now of great worth because of Christ; and if you are held high by this world, you now have the opportunity to experience the joy it is to be a slave or servant of Christ! That is God's will for you!
23 God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you.
In all things, we must remember that we were once held hostage by this sinful society, but now we have been bought and saved for a very high cost, and praise God, we now belong to Jesus! So now, our gift back to the Lord is what we do with our lives, not what house we buy, what job we take, or what specific person we marry, but by making just the next right choice. This "walk with God" is a marathon, and my prayer is that we will continually be walking closer to Him.
But for now, don't even worry about 1,000 steps. Just look to Him this morning to direct your paths, because He cares SO greatly for you. Then, walk one more step toward Him.
That is God's Will for your life.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
1 Corinthians 7: 8-17 (Paul on Marriage, Sex and Singleness, Part 2)
This morning, I would like to show you one tactic that I have learned can be really helpful when studying Scripture, and that is to read different translations of the same passages. Now, for some people, you may be thinking, "duh!", but to others, like I was before, I had thought that the translation I always read was the easiest to read -- and sometime it is, but other times it helps to read others to get a better picture.
If you've done any study of Greek, even if it's very small, like me, then you know that often the words in the original Greek (or Hebrew) have multiple meanings based on their context, just as we do for certain words in English. Take the word bear, for instance. We have the many uses of the word: bear the weight of something, bear a child, a tree bears fruit, his claim might not bear close examination, a bear market, you can bear scars, the bear that eats salmon, or the man is a bear in court. So, as people translate anything, it is obviously very important that they picked the exact correct meaning of a word for a correct translation. If someone didn't know English, I'd say bearing weight and bearing a child could possibly be difficult to distinguish without really studying the context, etc.
So, that is why I love to put up multiple translations on my computer as I study scripture...I can get a fuller picture that way! I don't have to have multiple concordances and historical books when I'm starting out in my study of the Bible. That is what I want to show you now. For our passage today, I am not going to say anything of my own, but just show you one example in comparing the NIV to The Message. Now, I know there's a lot of controversy about the Message, and that it is not a true translation, but a paraphrase. But even the present-day language of the paraphrase can be really helpful sometimes, even if you may not use it as your personal translation of the Bible. So, join me in comparing our passage today!
8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
8-9I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can't manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
10-11And if you are married, stay married. This is the Master's command, not mine. If a wife should leave her husband, she must either remain single or else come back and make things right with him. And a husband has no right to get rid of his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
12-14For the rest of you who are in mixed marriages—Christian married to non-Christian—we have no explicit command from the Master. So this is what you must do. If you are a man with a wife who is not a believer but who still wants to live with you, hold on to her. If you are a woman with a husband who is not a believer but he wants to live with you, hold on to him. The unbelieving husband shares to an extent in the holiness of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is likewise touched by the holiness of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be left out; as it is, they also are included in the spiritual purposes of God.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
15-16On the other hand, if the unbelieving spouse walks out, you've got to let him or her go. You don't have to hold on desperately. God has called us to make the best of it, as peacefully as we can. You never know, wife: The way you handle this might bring your husband not only back to you but to God. You never know, husband: The way you handle this might bring your wife not only back to you but to God.
So, what do you think? Helpful? I really think so! I love to use the website www.biblegateway.com for my study because you can add as many parallel versions as you want. I usually look at at least 4 at a time. It's a fantastic, free resource!
What I'm finding is that you do not have to a be trained Biblical scholar to truly understand Scripture for yourself. When you get stuck on a passage, or are concerned you may not fully understand what is being said, pull up some different versions. (The versions I tend to go to most are NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, KJV, and The Message.) First, ask God to grant you the wisdom and insights to understand His Word (because you won't understand anything without Him), then pick a chapter of a book you'd like to read, and read it in at least three different translations. It won't take you long, but you will be amazed at how much you can understand! Let me know how it goes for you!
We'll be back to the normal format tomorrow, and talking about "God's Will for you when it comes to Marriage, Sex, and Singleness." It's gonna be good! See you here in the morning!
If you've done any study of Greek, even if it's very small, like me, then you know that often the words in the original Greek (or Hebrew) have multiple meanings based on their context, just as we do for certain words in English. Take the word bear, for instance. We have the many uses of the word: bear the weight of something, bear a child, a tree bears fruit, his claim might not bear close examination, a bear market, you can bear scars, the bear that eats salmon, or the man is a bear in court. So, as people translate anything, it is obviously very important that they picked the exact correct meaning of a word for a correct translation. If someone didn't know English, I'd say bearing weight and bearing a child could possibly be difficult to distinguish without really studying the context, etc.
So, that is why I love to put up multiple translations on my computer as I study scripture...I can get a fuller picture that way! I don't have to have multiple concordances and historical books when I'm starting out in my study of the Bible. That is what I want to show you now. For our passage today, I am not going to say anything of my own, but just show you one example in comparing the NIV to The Message. Now, I know there's a lot of controversy about the Message, and that it is not a true translation, but a paraphrase. But even the present-day language of the paraphrase can be really helpful sometimes, even if you may not use it as your personal translation of the Bible. So, join me in comparing our passage today!
8 Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. 9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
8-9I do, though, tell the unmarried and widows that singleness might well be the best thing for them, as it has been for me. But if they can't manage their desires and emotions, they should by all means go ahead and get married. The difficulties of marriage are preferable by far to a sexually tortured life as a single.
10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.
10-11And if you are married, stay married. This is the Master's command, not mine. If a wife should leave her husband, she must either remain single or else come back and make things right with him. And a husband has no right to get rid of his wife.
12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.
12-14For the rest of you who are in mixed marriages—Christian married to non-Christian—we have no explicit command from the Master. So this is what you must do. If you are a man with a wife who is not a believer but who still wants to live with you, hold on to her. If you are a woman with a husband who is not a believer but he wants to live with you, hold on to him. The unbelieving husband shares to an extent in the holiness of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is likewise touched by the holiness of her husband. Otherwise, your children would be left out; as it is, they also are included in the spiritual purposes of God.
15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?
15-16On the other hand, if the unbelieving spouse walks out, you've got to let him or her go. You don't have to hold on desperately. God has called us to make the best of it, as peacefully as we can. You never know, wife: The way you handle this might bring your husband not only back to you but to God. You never know, husband: The way you handle this might bring your wife not only back to you but to God.
So, what do you think? Helpful? I really think so! I love to use the website www.biblegateway.com for my study because you can add as many parallel versions as you want. I usually look at at least 4 at a time. It's a fantastic, free resource!
What I'm finding is that you do not have to a be trained Biblical scholar to truly understand Scripture for yourself. When you get stuck on a passage, or are concerned you may not fully understand what is being said, pull up some different versions. (The versions I tend to go to most are NIV, ESV, NLT, NASB, KJV, and The Message.) First, ask God to grant you the wisdom and insights to understand His Word (because you won't understand anything without Him), then pick a chapter of a book you'd like to read, and read it in at least three different translations. It won't take you long, but you will be amazed at how much you can understand! Let me know how it goes for you!
We'll be back to the normal format tomorrow, and talking about "God's Will for you when it comes to Marriage, Sex, and Singleness." It's gonna be good! See you here in the morning!
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
1 Corinthians 7:1-17 (Paul on Marriage, Sex, and Singleness, Part 1)
In the next few days, as we read chapter 7, we will be studying what Paul teaches about marriage and singleness.
1 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” From now until the end of 1 Corinthians, Paul will be addressing some questions that the Church had written and asked him to answer, so here in verse 1, he is quoting the statement that they had made regarding sex, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." At the time, the sexuality of the culture was very tumultuous: thousands of women served as prostitutes in the pagan temples down the street, but the Greeks were also teaching that anything related to the body was dirty and so to reject sex and marriage altogether. With those two strong but opposing ideologies, it was difficult for the Christians to determine what God's will was for their sexuality. They wrote to Paul to gain some wisdom on the subject.
2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
The answer to the question of "should we be having sex?" is "certainly -- but only within a certain context." It is GOOD for a man to have sex with his wife and a wife with her husband! Sexual drives are strong, and God Himself created them to be that way...isn't THAT a relief?! It is not wrong in the slightest to want to have sex, because God created us to want it (again...phew!). But this works best, and for our benefit, when it is within the context of marriage as God intended. Marriage can provide a passionate, balanced, and fulfilling sex life in a world of sexual disorder! With the commitment of marriage, I don't have to try to pretend to be something I'm not, and I don't have to try to impress my husband in the bedroom for fear that he'll leave me the next morning (a fear I struggled with for the first few years of our marriage...more on that another day). Marriage provides a safe place to learn, enjoy, and grow together sexually! It's incredible!
Now, verses 3 and 4 always get a bad wrap, but really, I think Paul is just being the passionate and blunt speaker that he is. We, especially women, get really defensive when we're told that we have a duty to something and no authority over ourselves, but look and see that it also says the very same thing to the husbands right after that. In other words, the marriage bed must be a place of mutuality -- the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, and the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Notice no where does it say, "The point of sex is for you to be satisfied, so make sure you're getting what you want." Marriage itself is a decision to SERVE the other person, and so too in sex! But in our culture, we go into marriage and sex to get what we want and expecting the other person is going to meet up to our expectations and desires in and out of the bedroom -- but that is so far from the truth of what marriage is about! Though I can tell you from experience, when both people are doing all they can to serve the other (even when they don't do it perfectly), the end result is a very rich and rewarding marriage!
5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.
In fact, not only should married people have sex, but they should have it regularly! (I can hear your "amens" from here!) Sex is just another way for satan to drive a wedge between a husband and a wife, and the best way for him to do damage in your marriage through your sexual relationship is when you don't do it. Because God created our sexual passions to be so strong, our lack of self-control begins to gain even more strength when we do not have an outlet. However, it is still possible to have self-control even when our desires are strong, don't get me wrong...which is why Paul says marriage is a concession and not a command. Paul is single, so I'm sure he must know how hard it can be some days!
7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Paul goes on to say, that he wishes they were all like him...single. And do you see that he looks at his singleness as a gift?! All our chick-flicks sure don't teach that, do they? But Paul sees singleness as the simpler life in many ways, and it is! Marriage is really tough, and on some days, can bring just as many tears as my single friends shed over the desire to be married. Yet, he knows that God gives the gift of marriage to some and the gift of singleness to others...but BOTH are a GIFT.
So wherever you are in your relationships today, I hope you have gained some Truth. I pray that you will sense God's direction and His peace wherever you are in your relationships. People are the most important things in our lives, but they can also be the most difficult things sometimes. That's why my prayer is that in relationships, may I just be taking one step closer to being more like Christ each day.
I'd encourage you to share with Jesus whatever is difficult for you right now in relationships. He already knows it, but He sure would love to hear it from you and help guide and direct you.
We will be studying this topic for the rest of the week, so come back for more! I sure do love walking this road of discipleship with you all. You are a joy to me!
1 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” From now until the end of 1 Corinthians, Paul will be addressing some questions that the Church had written and asked him to answer, so here in verse 1, he is quoting the statement that they had made regarding sex, "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." At the time, the sexuality of the culture was very tumultuous: thousands of women served as prostitutes in the pagan temples down the street, but the Greeks were also teaching that anything related to the body was dirty and so to reject sex and marriage altogether. With those two strong but opposing ideologies, it was difficult for the Christians to determine what God's will was for their sexuality. They wrote to Paul to gain some wisdom on the subject.
2 But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. 3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife.
The answer to the question of "should we be having sex?" is "certainly -- but only within a certain context." It is GOOD for a man to have sex with his wife and a wife with her husband! Sexual drives are strong, and God Himself created them to be that way...isn't THAT a relief?! It is not wrong in the slightest to want to have sex, because God created us to want it (again...phew!). But this works best, and for our benefit, when it is within the context of marriage as God intended. Marriage can provide a passionate, balanced, and fulfilling sex life in a world of sexual disorder! With the commitment of marriage, I don't have to try to pretend to be something I'm not, and I don't have to try to impress my husband in the bedroom for fear that he'll leave me the next morning (a fear I struggled with for the first few years of our marriage...more on that another day). Marriage provides a safe place to learn, enjoy, and grow together sexually! It's incredible!
Now, verses 3 and 4 always get a bad wrap, but really, I think Paul is just being the passionate and blunt speaker that he is. We, especially women, get really defensive when we're told that we have a duty to something and no authority over ourselves, but look and see that it also says the very same thing to the husbands right after that. In other words, the marriage bed must be a place of mutuality -- the husband seeking to satisfy his wife, and the wife seeking to satisfy her husband. Notice no where does it say, "The point of sex is for you to be satisfied, so make sure you're getting what you want." Marriage itself is a decision to SERVE the other person, and so too in sex! But in our culture, we go into marriage and sex to get what we want and expecting the other person is going to meet up to our expectations and desires in and out of the bedroom -- but that is so far from the truth of what marriage is about! Though I can tell you from experience, when both people are doing all they can to serve the other (even when they don't do it perfectly), the end result is a very rich and rewarding marriage!
5 Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 I say this as a concession, not as a command.
In fact, not only should married people have sex, but they should have it regularly! (I can hear your "amens" from here!) Sex is just another way for satan to drive a wedge between a husband and a wife, and the best way for him to do damage in your marriage through your sexual relationship is when you don't do it. Because God created our sexual passions to be so strong, our lack of self-control begins to gain even more strength when we do not have an outlet. However, it is still possible to have self-control even when our desires are strong, don't get me wrong...which is why Paul says marriage is a concession and not a command. Paul is single, so I'm sure he must know how hard it can be some days!
7 I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
Paul goes on to say, that he wishes they were all like him...single. And do you see that he looks at his singleness as a gift?! All our chick-flicks sure don't teach that, do they? But Paul sees singleness as the simpler life in many ways, and it is! Marriage is really tough, and on some days, can bring just as many tears as my single friends shed over the desire to be married. Yet, he knows that God gives the gift of marriage to some and the gift of singleness to others...but BOTH are a GIFT.
So wherever you are in your relationships today, I hope you have gained some Truth. I pray that you will sense God's direction and His peace wherever you are in your relationships. People are the most important things in our lives, but they can also be the most difficult things sometimes. That's why my prayer is that in relationships, may I just be taking one step closer to being more like Christ each day.
I'd encourage you to share with Jesus whatever is difficult for you right now in relationships. He already knows it, but He sure would love to hear it from you and help guide and direct you.
We will be studying this topic for the rest of the week, so come back for more! I sure do love walking this road of discipleship with you all. You are a joy to me!
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
1 Corinthians 6:12-20 (Save the Bodies!)
One of the topics that the Church today often harps on is "sexual sin." To some, it appears sometimes as if they just pulled this topic out of mid-air to ruin the fun of teenagers and single people. But today's passage explains why sexual sin is such a big deal...and we don't mean just "intercourse".
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Oh my! Does that not sound like our culture? People are constantly claiming "their rights" and especially when it comes to things they want to do that "won't hurt other people" like drinking, sex, or anything else that doesn't involve the physical harm of another. But surely we know that these things do hurt those around us -- if just not physically sometimes. So here Paul quotes the saying, which was apparently popular in his day too, that people are claiming their rights. But he reminds us that sure we can make our own choices, but just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. And then I sure would be mastered by something...myself! We are all mastered by something, because as Bob Dylan wrote, we're all "gonna serve somebody." He is absolutely right. So, yes, we have the right to do what we want, but I want to make choices that are beneficial for the spiritual growth of myself and those around me.
13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
A saying that may ring a bell in our day would be "Eat to live or live to eat." But the people Paul is talking to say that it doesn't matter anyway because God is going to give us a new body, so I can do whatever I want with this one...indulge in food, drink and sex, for instance. Well, these bodies may be temporary, but Paul says that's no excuse to mistreat them. God honored us by giving us this body, a body that is meant for Him since it is His dwelling place (the Holy Spirit lives in you, remember?). Our bodies are His home, so let's be sure we are taking good care of the one He gave us.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
We are made in the image of God and were created with the same dignity. If we wouldn't take Jesus' body and have Him sleep with a prostitute or with whatever women He wants. In fact, the thought of that is so disturbing to me. But yet, why don't we feel the same way about our own bodies sometimes? We are a new and holy creation once Jesus lives in us. It does take some self-control and restraint -- I'm not saying it always easy -- but it is my desire to honor God with my body and it can be done.
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." Since we want to become spiritually one with the Christ, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never "become one." This is why God says to give yourself to only your spouse. He is not saying "don't" for the sake of being a kill joy. He is saying to us, "Don't hurt yourself," because he knows the impact that HE created sex to have on us. And outside of the context for which it was created, marriage, it can have some really destructive consequences to us emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I like how The Message summarizes this: "There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."
I sure hope that you come away with a better understanding of why sex is a big deal. There are plenty of other topics in the Bible that area big deal, too, but we just happen to be at this one today. It seems to me that the Christians are getting swept away by the culture in this area. I read an article last month that said that 80% of self-proclaimed followers of Christ between the ages of 18-29 have had sex before marriage, and 42% of those unmarried people are currently having sex! So much for True Love Waits, huh? I think we have forgotten the goodness in God's plan for His creation of sex...and it is meant to be AWESOME!
Don't feel shunned today, my friends, but take The Word you've read today and decide to change your focus from "how far can I go" to "how can I honor God with my body and my purity?"
To read more from the above mentioned article, go here: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/features/28337-the-secret-sexual-revolution
12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
Oh my! Does that not sound like our culture? People are constantly claiming "their rights" and especially when it comes to things they want to do that "won't hurt other people" like drinking, sex, or anything else that doesn't involve the physical harm of another. But surely we know that these things do hurt those around us -- if just not physically sometimes. So here Paul quotes the saying, which was apparently popular in his day too, that people are claiming their rights. But he reminds us that sure we can make our own choices, but just because something is technically legal doesn't mean that it's spiritually appropriate. If I went around doing whatever I thought I could get by with, I'd be a slave to my whims. And then I sure would be mastered by something...myself! We are all mastered by something, because as Bob Dylan wrote, we're all "gonna serve somebody." He is absolutely right. So, yes, we have the right to do what we want, but I want to make choices that are beneficial for the spiritual growth of myself and those around me.
13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.” The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.
A saying that may ring a bell in our day would be "Eat to live or live to eat." But the people Paul is talking to say that it doesn't matter anyway because God is going to give us a new body, so I can do whatever I want with this one...indulge in food, drink and sex, for instance. Well, these bodies may be temporary, but Paul says that's no excuse to mistreat them. God honored us by giving us this body, a body that is meant for Him since it is His dwelling place (the Holy Spirit lives in you, remember?). Our bodies are His home, so let's be sure we are taking good care of the one He gave us.
14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never!
We are made in the image of God and were created with the same dignity. If we wouldn't take Jesus' body and have Him sleep with a prostitute or with whatever women He wants. In fact, the thought of that is so disturbing to me. But yet, why don't we feel the same way about our own bodies sometimes? We are a new and holy creation once Jesus lives in us. It does take some self-control and restraint -- I'm not saying it always easy -- but it is my desire to honor God with my body and it can be done.
16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
There's more to sex than mere skin on skin. Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact. As written in Scripture, "The two become one." Since we want to become spiritually one with the Christ, we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—the kind of sex that can never "become one." This is why God says to give yourself to only your spouse. He is not saying "don't" for the sake of being a kill joy. He is saying to us, "Don't hurt yourself," because he knows the impact that HE created sex to have on us. And outside of the context for which it was created, marriage, it can have some really destructive consequences to us emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
I like how The Message summarizes this: "There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others. In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies, these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love, for "becoming one" with another. Or didn't you realize that your body is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit? Don't you see that you can't live however you please, squandering what God paid such a high price for? The physical part of you is not some piece of property belonging to the spiritual part of you. God owns the whole works. So let people see God in and through your body."
I sure hope that you come away with a better understanding of why sex is a big deal. There are plenty of other topics in the Bible that area big deal, too, but we just happen to be at this one today. It seems to me that the Christians are getting swept away by the culture in this area. I read an article last month that said that 80% of self-proclaimed followers of Christ between the ages of 18-29 have had sex before marriage, and 42% of those unmarried people are currently having sex! So much for True Love Waits, huh? I think we have forgotten the goodness in God's plan for His creation of sex...and it is meant to be AWESOME!
Don't feel shunned today, my friends, but take The Word you've read today and decide to change your focus from "how far can I go" to "how can I honor God with my body and my purity?"
To read more from the above mentioned article, go here: http://www.relevantmagazine.com/life/relationship/features/28337-the-secret-sexual-revolution
Monday, April 9, 2012
1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (Court Cases)
1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!
So, apparently, the Corinthian Church had gotten themselves wrapped up in some civil cases that had begun to take over and consume their lives (see verses 7-8). It seemed to the Believers that they needed to take their cases to the Roman courts to get "real" answers, rather than deal with these issues among themselves in the Church. And Paul reminds them that they do not need to go to human courts because Christ has given them the wisdom and discernment to settle their own cases, just as humans will be judging angels and the world someday. Yes, you! And if we will be ruling with Christ and making judgements about those big things, how much more are we given the ability to judge the "small" things of this life.
4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
Have you ever done this? Sought a ruling from the world rather than Christ? I do. I seek approval, justification, and wisdom from the media...specifically the little scrolly pictures on the Yahoo! Homepage. They are always offering little tidbits of advice about how to win my man and keep him or how to invest my money wisely, and how easily I can be swayed by it because the authors are "experts" in their fields. But this verse reminds us their their "way of life is scorned in the church." Why am I getting advice on intimacy with my husband from someone who has had sixty-two partners or wealth advice from someone who is full of greed and self? No, I must be a lot more careful about the "expert" advice I seek. Not all advice is wisdom.
5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
Paul is not beating around the bush here -- his words are meant to shame. He is saying it bluntly so that we might wake up! If we are taking one another to court over small matters or not so small matters, then the world will wonder if there really is nothing different about us. We do not want to be the cause of their unbelief, and yet, so often it is the very Christians themselves who cause unbelief in others because of the way they live. This is a big deal!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
The sad fact is that if we have lawsuits and disputes among us, we are already defeated...who cares what the worldly judge says, we've already lost! If we are so concerned about being sure we are not wronged or cheated by another human being and have gone so far as to take it to court, than we are already consumed with greed, retaliation and hatred rather than practicing unselfishness, forgiveness and love -- the fruit of the Spirit. Where is the Spirit in us when we are so concerned about making sure we get "ours"? Instead Paul says, Go ahead and be wronged, be cheated...so what?! That's small potatoes compared to what's to come! Let them take your money, your stuff, your pride -- there is so much more to this life than that. And it's especially heart-breaking when it's happening among Believers. That is not who we were created to be.
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And 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.
And here we see a list of sins which can shame us all the more, as I myself am represented in that list, but that is not the point of it... the best part about it is verse 11, "And that is what some of you were." This is a list of what the Christians were before they came to Christ!
And here is what is so amazing about Easter: we are no longer labeled by our sins because our sin is not our identity any longer, and we are walking away from those behaviors because Christ has come to set us free! We WERE those things, "BUT you you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Now our identity is Christ. We are His. That is our identity!
...and because of that, nothing, not even court cases, matters in light of eternity. He will right all wrongs and vindicate the greed of this world.
So, let the justice system do what they will in criminal cases, but let's keep each other out of civil court. We don't need the "wisdom" of this world.
So, apparently, the Corinthian Church had gotten themselves wrapped up in some civil cases that had begun to take over and consume their lives (see verses 7-8). It seemed to the Believers that they needed to take their cases to the Roman courts to get "real" answers, rather than deal with these issues among themselves in the Church. And Paul reminds them that they do not need to go to human courts because Christ has given them the wisdom and discernment to settle their own cases, just as humans will be judging angels and the world someday. Yes, you! And if we will be ruling with Christ and making judgements about those big things, how much more are we given the ability to judge the "small" things of this life.
4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?
Have you ever done this? Sought a ruling from the world rather than Christ? I do. I seek approval, justification, and wisdom from the media...specifically the little scrolly pictures on the Yahoo! Homepage. They are always offering little tidbits of advice about how to win my man and keep him or how to invest my money wisely, and how easily I can be swayed by it because the authors are "experts" in their fields. But this verse reminds us their their "way of life is scorned in the church." Why am I getting advice on intimacy with my husband from someone who has had sixty-two partners or wealth advice from someone who is full of greed and self? No, I must be a lot more careful about the "expert" advice I seek. Not all advice is wisdom.
5 I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers? 6 But instead, one brother takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!
Paul is not beating around the bush here -- his words are meant to shame. He is saying it bluntly so that we might wake up! If we are taking one another to court over small matters or not so small matters, then the world will wonder if there really is nothing different about us. We do not want to be the cause of their unbelief, and yet, so often it is the very Christians themselves who cause unbelief in others because of the way they live. This is a big deal!
7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.
The sad fact is that if we have lawsuits and disputes among us, we are already defeated...who cares what the worldly judge says, we've already lost! If we are so concerned about being sure we are not wronged or cheated by another human being and have gone so far as to take it to court, than we are already consumed with greed, retaliation and hatred rather than practicing unselfishness, forgiveness and love -- the fruit of the Spirit. Where is the Spirit in us when we are so concerned about making sure we get "ours"? Instead Paul says, Go ahead and be wronged, be cheated...so what?! That's small potatoes compared to what's to come! Let them take your money, your stuff, your pride -- there is so much more to this life than that. And it's especially heart-breaking when it's happening among Believers. That is not who we were created to be.
9 Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And 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.
And here we see a list of sins which can shame us all the more, as I myself am represented in that list, but that is not the point of it... the best part about it is verse 11, "And that is what some of you were." This is a list of what the Christians were before they came to Christ!
And here is what is so amazing about Easter: we are no longer labeled by our sins because our sin is not our identity any longer, and we are walking away from those behaviors because Christ has come to set us free! We WERE those things, "BUT you you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." Now our identity is Christ. We are His. That is our identity!
...and because of that, nothing, not even court cases, matters in light of eternity. He will right all wrongs and vindicate the greed of this world.
So, let the justice system do what they will in criminal cases, but let's keep each other out of civil court. We don't need the "wisdom" of this world.
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