1 Corinthians 7:1-24 = April 7

1 Corinthians 7:1-24

1 CORINTHIANS 7

Paul talks about marriage.

I. Marriage—Some General Instructions (7:1–2, 7–9, 17–24, 29–35)

A. The argument (7:1–2, 7–9, 32–35): Is it better to be married than not to be married?

1. The advantages of marriage (7:2, 7, 9)

a. It helps prevent immoral actions and attitudes (7:2, 9).

b. It is God’s will for many people to marry (7:7).

2. The advantages of remaining single (7:1, 8, 32–35): For the most part, a single person is free to devote all his or her attention to the work of the Lord, having no need to share time with a spouse or children.

B. The answer (7:17–24, 29–31): Which course is the best? It depends totally on God’s perfect plan for each believer.

1. God’s will must govern any decisions concerning marriage (7:17).

2. Pleasing God is the supreme objective (7:18–19).

3. We are not our own but have been bought and paid for by Christ (7:20–24).

4. Even if married, Christ must occupy first place in our life (7:29–31).

II. Marriage—Some Specific Individuals: (7:3–6, 10–16, 25–28, 36–40): Paul now addresses four groups.

A. Saved couples (7:3–6, 10–11)

1. Both are to submit their bodies to each other (7:3–4).

2. Both must agree if physical intimacy is set aside for a while to facilitate prayer and fasting (7:5–6).

3. Both must strive to stay together and not divorce (7:10–11).

B. Spiritually mixed couples (7:12–16)

1. The saved spouse should continue living with the unsaved spouse if possible (7:12–13).

2. This action may result in the salvation of the unsaved spouse (7:14).

3. The saved spouse should allow the unsaved spouse to depart if he or she insists on it (7:15–16).

C. Virgins (7:25–28, 36–38): Paul advises the unmarried not to rush into marriage.

D. A widow (7:39–40): She is free to marry another believer.

https://youtu.be/iN7KpE1Va-I

https://youtu.be/IaUYBjmHPwo

Other Resources:

Keeping God's Commandments 1 Corinthians 7

Series: God-Honoring Relationships: Encouragement from 1 Corinthians

Title: Not Your Own – Faithful Marriage

Bookmark: Click Here

Opening Thoughts:

• All about discipleship
• Ways of doing “Unity” Candles, butterflies, sand (in an hourglass)
• “As long as our love will last”
• Superficial ways to invigorate our marriage.
• Usually, everything we do to revitalize our marriage is based on making ME happy.

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Concerning Married Life

7 Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 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. 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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

 

Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.

• Review and retell the story.

 

Reflections for applications:

• 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 (Submission)
• o   They evidently thought that abstaining from sex – even in marriage– showed new depths of personal holiness.
• o   Wives, you don’t have authority over your body.
• o   Husbands, you don’t have authority over your body.
• o   Ephesians 5:21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
• o   Mutual submission is foundational to a faithful marriage.
• 
  
• 1 Corinthians 7:10-16
• o   Marriage is a life-long commitment.
• o   Matthew 19:4-6 4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”
• o   Every husband and wife should relentlessly pursue oneness and permanence in marriage.
• o   Everything Paul says about marriage is about giving, not receiving.
• 
  
• Application points:
• o   Happiness is the foundational part of marriage.
• Pour into your marriage.
• o   What are you contributing to your marriage right now?

Digging Questions:

How are your relationships?

What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?

What is God calling us to do?

 

Take Away Challenges

What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?

Whom do you know who needs to hear this?

What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?

Hashtags #marriage

Sunday sermon link    https://youtu.be/iN7KpE1Va-I

Comments about some details:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+7%3A1-24&version=NIV

 

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 = April 6

 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

OPEN:

• What is the best thing you've done for your health?

DIG:

• Some of the Corinthians felt that what they did in the "flesh" had no bearing on their spiritual lives (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). What do you think?
• How does God care for your physical self, your appetites, sexuality, diet, and habits?
• Why would uniting yourself with a prostitute and being "one with her in body" be harmful to a Christian? What other activities would be harmful for similar reasons?

REFLECT:

• In what ways do you struggle with what is permissible and what is beneficial? How can you keep your "temple" pure? 

4 Ways To Glorify God At Work

Here are four ways you can glorify God while you’re at work.

A Godly Work Ethic

If we claim to be Christian at work and yet don’t work like one, we’re showing our co-workers that Christians are no different from the rest of the world. What if a Christian faced a decision to either do something unethical (wrong) or face the risk of losing their job? Of course, the Christian would have to risk losing their job in order to obey what they know to be right. A godly work ethic is one that speaks volumes about our faith in God and that we are not going to compromise with sin.

Giving it Your All

The Christian should not even hesitate to give it all they’ve got at work as the Apostle Paul writes, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-34). This is basically what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 9:10, where he wrote, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”

Being Salt and Light

Jesus tells His followers that we are the light of the world but also the salt of the earth, however “if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet” (Matt 5:13b) and since we are the light of the world that shines into the darkness because “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven”(Matt 5:15-16).

Be an Ambassador

Once a person has trusted in Christ, they have become a new creation in Christ (2nd Cor 5:17), and as new creations and children of God, “we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2nd Cor 5:20). An ambassador represents their own country and our country is heavenly and not an earthly one, so if we are truly ambassadors for Christ at work, others might be drawn to this new kingdom, the New Jerusalem, which will descend out of heaven someday (Rev 21:1-2).

Conclusion

We are created to glorify God and we can do that at work by having a sterling work ethic; by working as hard as we can, even when no one’s looking; when we get our salt out of the shaker and our light out from under a basket; and be an ambassador for Christ in the hopes of bringing others into the kingdom. These can all glorify God.

May God richly bless you,

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 = April 5

1 Corinthians 6:1-11

OPEN:

• Have you ever been on jury duty? What was it like?

DIG:

• Why is Paul so upset that members of the young church in Corinth are taking their disputes to a civil, secular court? What does Paul mean when he tells the Corinthians that they have been "defeated already" (1 Corinthians 6:7)? 
• Why do lawsuits and other kinds of conflict or indiscretion cast a shadow over the church? 
• Do you agree with Paul that it is better to be cheated than to go to court against a fellow believer? Why? 
• Does Paul mean that believers who do the things in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 will not enter heaven?

REFLECT:

• What attitudes in conflict situations do you see in yourself: An insistence on "my rights"? A desire for revenge? Peace at any cost? Apathy about my example to non-believers? 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HtUGE4iHvDA?feature=share

Is "Homosexuality" A Bad Translation?
https://youtu.be/wrr_jQVUSpg

Other Resources:

Managing Disputes and Handling Adversity 1 Corinthians 6

 DIVISION IS NOT MY INTENTION

“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 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

As our culture spins out of control we must maintain our call to be salt and light in a decaying and dark world.

A preacher recently said, “Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with someone’s lifestyle, you must fear or hate them. The second is that to love someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.”

Our aim should be to think Biblically and act graciously.

I recently read the headlines in a national paper, “Joe Biden says LGBT rights will be his top legislative priority if elected President.” I have to admit, with all the issues affecting our great country, I was shocked this was singled out.

In a study released by the Barna Group, 9 out of 10 ministers see helping Christians develop biblical beliefs about specific issues as a major part of their role. While homosexuality is the issue teachers feel the most pressure to address, 44% feel limited in their ability to speak out because they are afraid of offending people.

In his book called, Counter Culture, David Platt writes: “On popular issues like poverty and slavery, where Christians are likely to be applauded for our social action, we are quick to stand up and speak out. Yet on controversial issues like homosexuality and abortion, where Christians are likely to be criticized for our involvement, we are content to sit down and stay quiet.”

In the season premiere of the PBS animated show “Arthur,” Mr. Ratburn came out as gay and got married. Here’s how CNN reported it – listen for their editorializing: “The Arthur premiere gave us all the happy feelings – not just because the PBS series is back for its 22nd season, but because Mr. Ratburn finally got the happy ending he deserves…the title character’s third-grade teacher marries another male character – leaving us all in happy tears. ‘It’s a brand new world!’ one of the students says during the wedding."

I realize that today’s devotional may result in some of my readers becoming frustrated. Division is not my intention. Understand that I prayed over this devotional like none other. Please just ponder what is written. As you consider your position on this important subject, may I suggest a couple of things for us to consider:

• · Our goal shouldn’t be to beat up sinners who are not like us. We must always remember the Gospel is for sinners. It’s OK to be disappointed and even angry about a specific sin, but we’re to extend love to those who may sin differently than we do.
• · We should not cave to sin. Our aim is not to be politically correct, but to be Biblically correct. It may be time for you to take a stand regarding how the Bible actually defines marriage and sexual relations.
• · Our model is Jesus Christ. We shouldn't cave in to sin or beat up sinners, but instead we must follow Christ as our example. John 1:14 says Jesus is “Full of grace and truth.”

When the woman was caught in adultery in John 8:11, Jesus ministered grace to her and then shared the truth with her; “Neither do I condemn you [grace]; go and sin no more [truth].”

Likewise, we’re called to share the truth, but shouldn't we share it with grace?

Thought of the Day: There’s a huge shift going on within some churches and among some Christians to interpret the Bible through whatever lens that makes us feel good. Instead of allowing this proposed change, we should look to God’s Word to inform, convict, and change us.

1 Corinthians 4:14-5:13 = April 4

 1 Corinthians 4:14-5:13

OPEN:

• How did your parents, teachers, or church leaders talk to you about sex? Openly? Only negatively? Not at all?

DIG:

• Why would the Corinthians be proud of such an immoral situation (1 Corinthians 5:1-2)? Have you ever seen a church proud of something typically considered immoral? 
• How can handing someone over to Satan result in their salvation on the Day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:5)? 
• From the yeast imagery (1 Corinthians 5:6-8), what is Paul's concern if this situation is allowed to go on without discipline?
• Why does Paul set forth one standard for relating to people in the church who are living in sin, and another for "people of this world" (1 Corinthians 5:9-13)? 
• How do you reconcile Paul's teaching here with that in 4:3-5? What is the point of each?

REFLECT:

• What happens when a church is more concerned with judging those outside the church than evaluating their own behavior and motives?

Other Resources:

Discipline - 1 Corinthians 5 

In our study of 1 Corinthians 5, we discuss how God allows bad things to happen to good people and how He disciplines those whom He loves.

“Experience the Power”

“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Christianity is going through an identity crisis today. Many youth are leaving the church after high school. A majority of millennials do not believe in God or are not seeking a relationship with Christ. Large numbers of adults are abandoning the organized church. Disparate beliefs that indicate radical division deeply divide the church.

One of the more disturbing statistics is how Christians relate their satisfaction in the faith. Satisfaction in the faith is now being evaluated more by the quality of preaching they receive in the church, the friendships they can find at church or in small groups, and the quality of the worship experience. Values such as purposeful evangelism, discipling believers to be fully devoted followers of Christ, and ministering to others out of God’s presence and work in their lives don’t seem to be what many are looking for in a church.

It is tempting to take our eyes off God’s purpose: “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9b)

If you seek God’s kingdom first, then the way you live your life will further the kingdom of God. When you get disengaged from the heart of your purpose on earth, the kingdom of God becomes a matter of talk and not power. Once your faith becomes all talk and little power, it is easy to become disconnected from God.

God wants you to break out of self-serving and self-interest, to release His power: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)

God’s power in you will never fully be seen or experienced by merely talking about Christianity, but by the actualization of His power in you in reaching the lost, hurting, and those desiring more of God.

Where is God wanting to exercise His power in your life? 1 Corinthians 3:6 demonstrates the importance of stepping out in faith and trusting God to act: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.”

Determine now to seek God’s kingdom first by planting and watering what God has put in your life to share. Let your faith move beyond talk to experiencing God’s power. All eleven of the apostles deserted Jesus after His arrest in the garden of Gethsemane, but the same eleven remained faithful after receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Their faith remained solid because their walks with Christ consistently experienced God through His power and not their talk. Exercise your faith and see the power of God at work!

1 Thessalonians 1:5 “Because our gospel came to you not simply with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.”

==========

5 Myths Non-Christians Believe About Christians

Here are five myths that non-Christians may believe about Christians.

We’re Better

Every believer who has realized just how wicked they were before Christ knows they’re no better than anyone else, including non-believers. We don’t think of ourselves as superior, only blessed. Think about this: Christ died for us while we were wicked, ungodly sinners and natural enemies of His Romans 5:6-10). God didn’t look at us and think, “Hey, they’re pretty good people. I think I’ll save them.” All of us fall short of God’s glory, including Christians (Romans 3:23).

We’re Special

We’re not saved because we’re special. We’re special because we’re saved. That’s a huge difference. At one time, we were dead in our sins (Ephesians 2:1-2). Dead men and women can’t do anything to resurrect themselves any more than Lazarus could have resurrected himself. We weren’t good people at all. We were bad, wicked sinners who were saved by a very good God. We should be honest with non-believers and tell them we still struggle with sin and we don’t have it all together, and honestly tell them we’re not better than anyone, including non-believers.

We Don’t Like Non-Believers

I disagree with the idea that Christians don’t like non-believers because we were once as they are now. We are commanded to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who do us harm. That’s an attribute of God. A sinless Christ died for a most sinful people, and He did for us what we didn’t deserve and granted to us what we could not earn. We’re actually told to pray for our enemies and love those who hate us.

We Do Good to Get to Heaven

A few times, I’ve heard non-believers tell me (and even a few Christians) they’ve done enough good in their lives to get to heaven, if there is one. I say that none are actually good, and we don’t even seek after God (Romans 3:10-12). We can’t be saved by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). All our good works are just a bunch of filthy rags to God (Isaiah 64:6). To say we can do good things to get to heaven is to make Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross useless. If we could do good things to get to heaven, then Paul says plainly that Christ died for nothing (Galatians 2:21).

We Have It Easier

Some believe that once a person becomes a Christian, life becomes much easier. On the contrary, when I was born again, that’s when it started getting difficult. Jesus said the way to eternal life is hard and the road is narrow, and that only a few will find it. Therefore, “strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able”(Luke 13:4). Dead fish can float upstream, but it takes effort to swim upstream against the culture and our own sinful nature.

Conclusion

Other things I’ve heard from non-believers are that religion is a crutch and that we’ve been brainwashed. Let me say this: If Christ is a crutch, I want it. If I’ve been brainwashed, that’s good because my mind used to be filled with filth. We’re not perfect, only seen as perfect because of Jesus Christ, which is only because “for our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

1 Corinthians 4:1-13 = April 3

 1 Corinthians 4:1-13

OPEN:

• What is the most menial job you ever had? What did you like or dislike about it? 
• Who has been a parent figure in your life, besides your parents?

DIG:

• Paul, when discussing judging himself, claims that even his conscience is unreliable (1 Corinthians 4:3-4). Has your conscience ever differed with God's will for you? What happened?
• How do you feel about the Lord "bringing to light" what is hidden and exposing the motives of our hearts (1 Corinthians 4:5)? How can we live so that what is revealed will be less surprising and embarrassing? 
• Corinthian factions judged one another by the reputation of the leader they followed. What then does Paul mean by the proverb in 1 Corinthians 4:6? How should they apply it? 
• Read 1 Corinthians 4:7. What do you have that you did not receive from God? Of everything God has given you, what do you tend to take credit for yourself? 
• Paul tells the Corinthians to imitate his way of life. How does this square with not following one leader or another?

REFLECT:

• How would Paul respond to the phrase: "God wants you to be happy, healthy, and successful"? 
• In 1 Corinthians 4:8-13, Paul rather sarcastically compares his situation with the Corinthians', who have a mistaken idea of wisdom and power. Would you characterize your Christian life as more like the Corinthians' or Paul's? Why? 
• A role model or mentor is someone you want to emulate. Who has fulfilled these roles in your life? In what ways do you still feel the need? 
• Reflecting honestly on 1 Corinthians 4:20, is your Christian life more a matter of talk or of power?

Other Resources:

Persecution - 1 Corinthians 4

CRITICISM IS DANGEROUS

 “It is a very small thing that I should be judged by you.” 1 Corinthians 4:3

Paul writes, “With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you… It is the Lord who judges me.” (1 Corinthians 4:3–4) Can you imagine viewing criticism as a very small thing? Or being liberated from the need to impress people; your self-esteem no longer dependent on someone noticing how successful, smart, or attractive you are?

Think what it would be like to feel genuine love for someone who expresses their disapproval of you. Is such a life even possible? With God’s help, yes! One deacon says: “Years ago I wanted to lead a certain ministry. When I wasn’t chosen, I became angry. Of course, I didn’t show it. That’s not to say I didn’t love God. I just wanted to serve me more than Him! By saying no, God was correcting an attitude that would destroy any real ministry I might have later. When you represent God so visibly, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to detect that you’re a fake…except God.”

Ever hear of approval addiction? Its symptoms include living in fear of what others think of you; being easily hurt by what they say; a nagging sense that you aren’t good enough; and constantly trying to impress important people. And like all addicts, we’ll go to any lengths for a fix.

For many of us, our daily preoccupations suggest we belong more to the world than to God. Even the mildest criticism makes us depressed and apt to react in anger; a little praise can lift our spirits. Like small boats adrift on a huge ocean, we’re completely at the mercy of the waves.

Thought of the Day: Is this an issue you need to pray about today?

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 = March 31

 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

1 CORINTHIANS 3

Paul again reminds the Corinthians not to elevate teachers of the Word of God over the Word itself.

I.   The “Baby” Christians in the Corinthian Church (3:1–10): Paul addresses some squabbling believers in this assembly.

A.  Paul’s criticism (3:1–2)

1.  What he hopes to do (3:1): The apostle wants to give them the solid meat of the Word.

2.  What he has to do (3:2): Because of their carnality and immaturity, he can only feed them milk.

B.  Paul’s correction (3:3–10)

1.  Their sinful view of Christian leaders (3:3–4): They are looking to men (like Paul and Apollos) instead of to Christ.

2.  His scriptural view of Christian leaders (3:5–10)

a.  What the leaders do (3:5a, 6a, 7a, 8–10): They can only sow and water the spiritual seed.

b.  What the Lord does (3:5b, 6b, 7b): God alone can cause the crop to grow.

II.  The Bema Judgment and the Corinthian Church (3:11–23)

A.  The works (3:11–15): Paul says all believers will someday stand before an elevated platform (called a “bema”) to be tested regarding their service for Christ.

1.  The objects in this test (3:11–13): Our works here are classified as gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, and straw.

2.  The outcome of this test (3:14–15)

a.  The owner of the gold, silver, and jeweled works will receive a reward (3:14).

b.  The owner of the wood, hay, and straw works will receive no reward (3:15).

B.  The warning (3:16–23)

1.  Don’t defile your temple (3:16–17): God regards our bodies as temples.

2.  Don’t deceive yourselves (3:18–21): Paul warns not to depend on earthly wisdom or human leaders but on God himself.

3.  You belong to Christ as Christ belongs to God (3:22–23).

 

OPEN:

• When you were a child, what did you make that you were proud of?

DIG:

• What does Paul mean by infants? Milk? Solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2)?
• What were Paul's and Apollos' contributions to the church in Corinth? 
• Who did the planting in your spiritual life? Who did the watering? 
• How do Paul's illustrations help to make his point (1 Corinthians 3:5-15)? 
• What is the wise way to build a foundation for your life? What do the building materials in 1 Corinthians 3:12 refer to? 
• Paul tells the Corinthians as a church, they are "God's temple" (1 Corinthians 3:16). What evidence do you have that your church or your body is a dwelling place for God's Spirit?

REFLECT:

• What is the difference between respecting a Christian leader and the problem Paul deals with here? 
• What does it mean to be a "fool" for Christ? What would it mean to be a fool for Christ in your life? 
• If you could describe your spiritual condition as a building, what kind of building would it be? A cathedral? A health club? A junk-yard? A library? A skyscraper? 
• Name one thing you can do this week to build the foundation of your life with "gold, silver, and costly stones.”

Other Resources:

It Takes a Village - 1 Corinthians 3

"Where Are You"

“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly — mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)

 Close your eyes for a minute and visualize the Lord Jesus Christ saying to you, “Brother, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly.” I feel a deep sense of sadness that Christ can find in me plenty of material to warrant such a statement.

One of Scripture’s best examples of disappointment is Peter. Scriptures show how spiritual Peter could be and then show how attached to the world he could be.

Matthew 16:18-19, and 23 provides a great illustration of this: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven . . . ²³ Get behind me, satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Paul explains the two stages of a Christian: (1) worldly, an infant requiring milk; and (2) mature, consuming solid food. Maturity is where God wants you to be, but the world often hinders your progress towards maturity. You remain an infant in Christ when you continue in worldly ways and never progress to Godly ways (solid food).

Remaining an infant in Christ occurs primarily from a failure to grow in increasing intimacy with Jesus. You generally lack intimacy with Christ because of a deficiency in your intake of God’s Word and shallowness by not allowing the Holy Spirit to apply His Word in your life. Remaining an infant makes you vulnerable not only to the world, but also to satan and your flesh. It is solid food that lifts you to new levels of spiritual awareness.

God uses solid food to help you grow in your maturity which makes you more usable and fruitful for God. Maturity is where God wants you to be. Seek God daily in Word and prayer, but most importantly allow God’s Word to penetrate your life so that you grasp it and apply it wherever God is leading you.

Ephesians 4:13-16 -- “Until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the Head, even Christ,”

Consider:

• At what times or in what aspects of your life might Jesus address you as “worldly” rather than “spiritual”?
• How can you commit to maturing in your faith?

LIVING SHORT TERM

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

 

Have you ever heard an official of a government urge Americans to smoke and drink more? It has now happened. The finance minister of a foreign government is urging their citizens to smoke and drink more to raise more tax money for their social services. The Finance Minister says, "If you smoke a pack of cigarettes, that means you are giving more to help solve social problems such as boosting demographics, developing other social services and upholding birth rates. People should understand: Those who drink, those who smoke are doing more to help the state." To generate more income for the state, taxes on cigarettes will increase by more than 100% in the next three years.

 

Sixty-five percent of men in this country smoke and based on current consumption the average man drinks 19 quarts (18 liters) of alcohol every year. Thousands die every year from alcohol related causes and the government has recently implemented laws designed to help with the problem.

 

In the short term the country is likely to be proven right that if people smoke and drink more tax revenues will increase. In the long-term net revenues will decrease. Why? Because there will be an increased strain on their social services. Increased smoking and drinking will cause health related diseases to increase causing a greater burden on the social services system.

 

We see the same kind of thinking in our own lives all the time. In the short-term buying a new car or a new house with a huge payment will make us feel better. However, in the long term when we start making those huge payments, we will begin to feel trapped and burdened by our purchase.

 

We can go out and party getting high on alcohol and drugs and in the very short term we may feel very good about it. However, the next day, if not sooner we experience the consequences of a hangover, the need for another fix, or even worse wake up in jail because of what we have done while we were high.

 

We can have a brief relationship with another person that is not our wife or husband and in the short term we may feel very good about it. However, in the long term it will complicate our lives, and it could leave us with a STD, or send us spiraling out of control in the wrong direction.

 

Thought of the Day: Not only can short term thinking damage your body, and your relationships, but it will prevent the implementation of God's will, His plan in your life. God says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Please do not let short term thinking rob you of "peace" and of a "future and a hope."