Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Born That Way
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (New Living Translation)
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
One of the arguments we hear about homosexuality (note it is just one in the list of sins Paul addresses … sin is sin) is that a person is born that way. This scripture says it is an indulged practice and is something which like other sin, one can be cleansed from. Homosexuality, along with any sin, is not beyond the power of God, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to make one right.
God is omnipotent … all powerful, if one will lay their sin at the foot of the Cross.
9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
One of the arguments we hear about homosexuality (note it is just one in the list of sins Paul addresses … sin is sin) is that a person is born that way. This scripture says it is an indulged practice and is something which like other sin, one can be cleansed from. Homosexuality, along with any sin, is not beyond the power of God, through the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to make one right.
God is omnipotent … all powerful, if one will lay their sin at the foot of the Cross.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The ‘Ism’ Struggles
Galatians 3:26-29 (New Living Translation)
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
When I see, hear, encounter the ‘ism’ struggle, I am reminded that this struggle is not new. The Apostle Paul spoke out on this 2000 years ago and we are still struggling with these strongholds.
26 For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes. 28 There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
When I see, hear, encounter the ‘ism’ struggle, I am reminded that this struggle is not new. The Apostle Paul spoke out on this 2000 years ago and we are still struggling with these strongholds.
- Nationalism, the great immigration struggle
- Racism, who can lead, politically, athletically, corporately, even religiously
- Sexism, the glass ceiling
Monday, September 20, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
The Better Judge
1 Corinthians 6:1-6 (New Living Translation)
1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
It would seem in today’s society, we have completely abandon the idea of settling legal issues among believers in the church. We have surrendered this practice to the secular courts.
Secular law may have the influence of scripture. A decision within the church would be based on the foundation of God’s Word. It would be advisable to turn back to this practice of making scripture based judgments because the day is coming when this role of judge will belong to believers in the heavens and in the earth. In that day, we will need to be wise about these matters.
1 When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers! 2 Don’t you realize that someday we believers will judge the world? And since you are going to judge the world, can’t you decide even these little things among yourselves? 3 Don’t you realize that we will judge angels? So you should surely be able to resolve ordinary disputes in this life. 4 If you have legal disputes about such matters, why go to outside judges who are not respected by the church? 5 I am saying this to shame you. Isn’t there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues? 6 But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers!
It would seem in today’s society, we have completely abandon the idea of settling legal issues among believers in the church. We have surrendered this practice to the secular courts.
Secular law may have the influence of scripture. A decision within the church would be based on the foundation of God’s Word. It would be advisable to turn back to this practice of making scripture based judgments because the day is coming when this role of judge will belong to believers in the heavens and in the earth. In that day, we will need to be wise about these matters.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Immorality in the Church
1st Corinthians 5
The issue is not non-believers. Paul is addressing the problem of the tolerance of immorality of those who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
As he often is, Paul is very direct. The issue cannot be ignored. The person must be confronted. The sin cannot be tolerated in the church or the whole church is at risk. This is where we get the phrase, “A little yeast spoils the whole loaf.”
This another place in the scriptures where we find a list. Paul groups together sexual sin, greediness, idolatry, abusiveness, drunkenness and cheating. Paul is saying sin is sin. No big sin. No little sin. Any sin has the capability of spoiling the effectiveness of the individual and/or the church.
The issue is not non-believers. Paul is addressing the problem of the tolerance of immorality of those who claim Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
As he often is, Paul is very direct. The issue cannot be ignored. The person must be confronted. The sin cannot be tolerated in the church or the whole church is at risk. This is where we get the phrase, “A little yeast spoils the whole loaf.”
This another place in the scriptures where we find a list. Paul groups together sexual sin, greediness, idolatry, abusiveness, drunkenness and cheating. Paul is saying sin is sin. No big sin. No little sin. Any sin has the capability of spoiling the effectiveness of the individual and/or the church.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
A Special Relationship
1st Corinthians 4:8-21
Today’s scripture passage, while lengthy, reflects the very special relationship that existed between the Apostle Paul and the Church at Corinth. He could get real with them. Is this the relationship you have with your spiritual leader. Can he say to you what needs to be said without you walking away in a huff? Can he promise to discipline you without you having the question in your mind, “Who do you think you are?”
Click on the link and read about Paul’s relationship with the believers at Corinth. Then access for yourself the relationship you have with your pastor.
Today’s scripture passage, while lengthy, reflects the very special relationship that existed between the Apostle Paul and the Church at Corinth. He could get real with them. Is this the relationship you have with your spiritual leader. Can he say to you what needs to be said without you walking away in a huff? Can he promise to discipline you without you having the question in your mind, “Who do you think you are?”
Click on the link and read about Paul’s relationship with the believers at Corinth. Then access for yourself the relationship you have with your pastor.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Nothing to Boast About
1 Corinthians 4:6-7 (New Living Translation)
6 Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. 7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
Thank you Father God for all the gifts you give us. The spiritual gifts all come from you … we have nothing to boast about.
Our salvation comes from you … the gift of your Son Jesus Christ. We have nothing to boast about.
6 Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I’ve been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won’t be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. 7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
Thank you Father God for all the gifts you give us. The spiritual gifts all come from you … we have nothing to boast about.
Our salvation comes from you … the gift of your Son Jesus Christ. We have nothing to boast about.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Not Even My Own
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (New Living Translation)
1 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
The judgment of others only counts in this life. Even my own evaluations of myself are limited to my today and now. Only what the Lord will say will count for eternity.
So live today as if the Lord is watching and is doing the evaluation. He is!
1 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority. I don’t even trust my own judgment on this point. 4 My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide.
5 So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
The judgment of others only counts in this life. Even my own evaluations of myself are limited to my today and now. Only what the Lord will say will count for eternity.
So live today as if the Lord is watching and is doing the evaluation. He is!
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
Keep Me Humble
1 Corinthians 3:21-23
New Living Translation
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.
The Message
21-23I don't want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift—Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future—all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.
Amplified Bible
21So let no one exult proudly concerning men [boasting of having this or that man as a leader], for all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter), or the universe or life or death, or the immediate and threatening present or the [subsequent and uncertain] future--all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
I was challenged by this morning’s passage. It took more than even these translations that I posted. In the end, the message is very simple.
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s all about Christ. When you are in Christ, you have everything you will ever need.
New Living Translation
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.
The Message
21-23I don't want to hear any of you bragging about yourself or anyone else. Everything is already yours as a gift—Paul, Apollos, Peter, the world, life, death, the present, the future—all of it is yours, and you are privileged to be in union with Christ, who is in union with God.
Amplified Bible
21So let no one exult proudly concerning men [boasting of having this or that man as a leader], for all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas (Peter), or the universe or life or death, or the immediate and threatening present or the [subsequent and uncertain] future--all are yours, 23 and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's.
I was challenged by this morning’s passage. It took more than even these translations that I posted. In the end, the message is very simple.
It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s all about Christ. When you are in Christ, you have everything you will ever need.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
The Wisdom of the World
1 Corinthians 3:18-20 (New Living Translation)
18 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.”
Worthless … what value is it if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? Men of great wealth … Howard Hughes, Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, John Edwards (I don’t know the status of their soul, it is not for me to judge) … examples of men who gained great worldly wealth but appear to have not made God the priority in their lives. These men make the headlines with their rise and fall.
We can point at them. These verses however, encourage us to look in the mirror. “Stop deceiving yourselves.” Where is the wisdom of the world … the worldly foolishness … in our own lives? That’s what God would have us to surrender … our own worthlessness.
18 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.”
Worthless … what value is it if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? Men of great wealth … Howard Hughes, Michael Vick, Tiger Woods, John Edwards (I don’t know the status of their soul, it is not for me to judge) … examples of men who gained great worldly wealth but appear to have not made God the priority in their lives. These men make the headlines with their rise and fall.
We can point at them. These verses however, encourage us to look in the mirror. “Stop deceiving yourselves.” Where is the wisdom of the world … the worldly foolishness … in our own lives? That’s what God would have us to surrender … our own worthlessness.
Monday, September 06, 2010
You
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
We learned in English class that you can be singular … referring to a single individual … or you can be plural … referring to a specific group. This New Living Translation of these verses emphasizes the plural you.
“… all of you together…”
The temple or the church is more a reference to an organism than to a building. The temple here is an organized body of believers. The temple building may crumble, as we see in disasters or decay from aging but the temple, the organism, God will protect from destruction.
Jesus, one day soon, is coming back for His church. The church will survive until His return, regardless of Satan’s attacks and in the day of judgment, Satan is the one who will be destroyed!
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
We learned in English class that you can be singular … referring to a single individual … or you can be plural … referring to a specific group. This New Living Translation of these verses emphasizes the plural you.
“… all of you together…”
The temple or the church is more a reference to an organism than to a building. The temple here is an organized body of believers. The temple building may crumble, as we see in disasters or decay from aging but the temple, the organism, God will protect from destruction.
Jesus, one day soon, is coming back for His church. The church will survive until His return, regardless of Satan’s attacks and in the day of judgment, Satan is the one who will be destroyed!
Thursday, September 02, 2010
He Guards You
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (New Living Translation)
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Buildings decay … crumble … fall … but the temple of God is not buildings. It is saints. It is the saints that God has under His wings of protection. It is saints that are holy. It is saints that God has promised to never leave or forsake. God guards His saints.
Does that mean that you will never get a bump or a bruise … suffer sickness or disease? No. This means that your eternity is assured because “…the Spirit of God lives in you.”
16 Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? 17 God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.
Buildings decay … crumble … fall … but the temple of God is not buildings. It is saints. It is the saints that God has under His wings of protection. It is saints that are holy. It is saints that God has promised to never leave or forsake. God guards His saints.
Does that mean that you will never get a bump or a bruise … suffer sickness or disease? No. This means that your eternity is assured because “…the Spirit of God lives in you.”
Wednesday, September 01, 2010
Escape in Judgment
1 Corinthians 3:12-15 (New Living Translation)
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
No one will escape judgment day. The value of our works will be tested. Build today as with gold … not straw … so that barely escaping in judgment will not be our test score.
12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.
No one will escape judgment day. The value of our works will be tested. Build today as with gold … not straw … so that barely escaping in judgment will not be our test score.
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