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.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
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.
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