In 2 Corinthians 11:3-6, Paul’s writes of his concern for those at risk of falling for another Gospel. In Galatians 1:6-10, he expresses his astonishment at the Christians being so easily swayed by the popular false doctrine of the time.
I wonder what he would say if he were able to see the various “different gospels” (Galatians 1:6) being taught today.
No matter what is culturally popular, God’s word remains the only correct guideline for salvation.
Paul talks a lot about the one body. In 1 Corinthians 12, he begins a discussion that last for a few chapters on working together and avoiding the kind of thinking that inhibits unity.
The case in 1 Corinthians is dealing with some specifics regarding spiritual gifts, but we can make application within our own congregations. How do we bring our group closer to unity?
We practice selflessness since we are a group that needs each member to function as a whole. We attend all meetings. We fellowship. We study together. We care for each other. Laugh. Cry. (1 Corinthians 12:14-31)
The more we are together, the more like Christ we become.
1 Corinthians 11:2-15 is one of those difficult passages that either gets ignored in Bible study or applied in a very wrong and different ways. If you try to research it you’ll see what I mean.
The church in Corinth evidently had some members that made themselves up like the pagan worshippers and never bothered to abandon that fashion after they were converted. Paul didn’t want his fellow Christians looking like sinners! Wearing the uniform of a group identified you with that group then and it does now.
I’ve heard it said that followers of Christ will find themselves conspicuous enough without trying to stand out from the cultural norms.
Imagine how deep the thoughts of the Lord must be – even able to see perfectly into tomorrow. It is the fool that looks past God and credits his own intelligence. The psalmist in Psalm 92 reminds us that – though the foolish and wicked might flourish now, their time is coming. (Psalm 92:5-8)
It is hard to know what God has in mind for us, especially when bad things happen all around and our lives appear to be a mess.
But then, don’t we always discover later how wise God is after all and how shortsighted we are?
A glass of wine here. A cuss word there. A lottery ticket. Skip worship one Sunday. It starts to pile up fast.
Paul saw it first hand in Corinth. The church he planted was proud to be tolerant of some evil stuff. Didn’t they know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? (1 Corinthians 5:6) Little sins grow into bigger sins in a hurry. Sin can become so natural that we forget to be ashamed of it. (Jeremiah 6:15)
In your self, family or church, making a habit of avoiding the “little” sins will make the “big” sins non-existent.
As the rebuilding of the wall is completed, Jerusalem is in a good mood. Their exile was over, their wall stood in full protection and the priesthood was functional. They began their service to God right away.
God has a way of blessing those who are thankful and focus their “day to day” around him first – worship isn’t just for Sunday. Philippians 4:6 says to ask for what we need but to do it with thankfulness for what we already have. From the beginning, God has expected us to credit him and depend on him – and in return, he takes care of the rest.