1 Corinthians

August 31st – 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

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1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Loving others isn’t an easy thing to do. Yet that’s the call God gives to us. And although no one can love unconditionally and perfectly like Jesus, we do need to show each other that same Christlike love. That means practicing patience and kindness even when we are frustrated with those around us. And finding joy instead of envy at another’s blessings. Christlike love isn’t based in arrogance or pride. It doesn’t intentionally provoke others nor keep a record of wrongs committed against us. It’s a selfless love, that is demonstrated through action. And is perfectly exampled by Jesus on the Cross. When describing love, St. Augustine said, “Love has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” Such a love is impossible in our own strength, but through God all things are possible, including loving the unlovable.

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August 21st – 1 Corinthians 13:4

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1 Corinthians 13:4

1 Corinthians 13 is one of best known passages in the Bible on the subject of love. It’s read at countless weddings, including my own. But weddings and romance weren’t on Paul’s mind in this teaching. Instead Paul’s focus was on a church full of division, who had little interest in the fruit of love. Every day society bombards us with false ideas of what love is. It makes us think that love just happens to us. That we have no control. We’ve all heard the expression “the heart wants what the heart wants”, or someone described as “hopelessly in love”.  But the Bible teaches completely the opposite. Love is a choice we make, something we can control, and the fruit of a spirit filled life. Love is the root of the sacrificial death of Jesus. And as willingly and kindly as He love us, He calls us to love others.

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August 11th – 1Corinthians 13:4-5

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1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Loving one another doesn’t always come easy. And some days, it doesn’t come at all. And although no one can love as unconditionally and perfectly like Jesus, still we are called to love like Him just the same. But what is Christlike love? Contrary to popular culture, it isn’t butterflies in the stomach, or a sappy song on the radio. Genuine, Christlike love isn’t found in a feeling. Rather it’s found in the way we treat others. Each time we show patience, kindness, and goodness to another, we are loving them the way Jesus does. Christlike love isn’t envious of another’s blessings or based in arrogance and pride. It doesn’t intentionally hurt others, nor keep a scorecard of another’s past mistakes. Instead it demonstrates it’s deep love for God by obediently loving others not in words, but in godly deeds.

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August 10th – Galatians 5:1

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Galatians 5:1

As the perfect fulfillment of the Law, with His death the Lord freed us from living under a set of rules. Yet because we’re all in various stages of our spiritual growth, what we feel free to do or not do means different things to different people. And Paul tells we need to respect those differences with patience and kindness. Instead of saying, “I’m not giving up my rights because another Christian hurt feelings about it!”, say, “From a Christlike love, it’s better to limit my own freedom than to cause a weaker believer to stumble.” Paul knows of what he speaks. As an apostle personally chosen by Jesus, Paul was entitled to certain rights specified by God. But instead of claiming these rights, he voluntarily laid them aside for a greater reward. (1 Cor. 18-19, 23) Paul thought it a great privilege to serve the Lord. And although he never compromised his convictions, he was more than willing to put his comfort, needs, opinions, and rights behind those of others. And all to grow God’s kingdom.

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April 28th – 1 Corinthians 15:10

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1 Corinthians 15:10

If there’s anyone who understood grace, it’s Paul. The apostle was once one of the worst persecutors of Christians. Yet instead of being punished, Paul was given God’s most precious mission. To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world. Not because Paul earned it, nor proven himself worthy. For no one can ever be good enough to earn a perfect God’s perfect favor. But all because of the unmerited mercy of our Lord. The definition of grace is getting what we don’t deserve and not getting what we do. The sin we commit comes with the penalty of death. But because of His amazing love, God sent His Son to take the punishment we deserve, giving us the undeserved gift of forgiveness, and eternal life. It was God’s grace that empowered Paul’s transformation. And if we let Him, God will transform us as well.

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February 27th – 1 Corinthians 13:11

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1 Corinthians 13:11

When dealing with immaturity, the standard response is, “Grow up!” That’s Paul’s response too. When we first receive Jesus as our Savior, we are mere babes. Children with childish views. But we aren’t to remain that way. And Paul tells us it’s time to grow up in our faith and relationship with God. The dictionary definition of growing up means to arrive at full stature or physical or mental maturity; to progress from childhood toward adulthood. A perfect description of the Christian walk. Each new day should be a step forward to moving closer to God and our transformation of becoming more like Jesus. And we can only do this when we leave behind our stubborn, foolish, childlike ways. One day when Jesus returns we will reach the “fullness of Christ.” But until then we are to continue growing, learning, and maturing in our faith.

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November 24th – 1 Corinthians 15:57

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1 Corinthians 15:57

Charles Spurgeon once said, “The best moment of a Christian’s life is his last one, because it is the one that is nearest heaven.” For followers of Jesus, death isn’t to be feared, but to be celebrated. Because we know to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Cor. 5:8) Through His death and resurrection at the Cross, Christ defeated death forever. And now all Christians can look forward to an eternity spent at the side of our Savior. There we will celebrate Christ’s victory forever with songs of thanksgiving and continual praise for His mercy and love. Never again will we suffer from the pull of sin, for we will finally be the complete perfect images of our Lord. So with our last breath we can rejoice and give thanks to God. For His Son, Jesus Christ, has stolen both the victory and the sting of death forever!

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August 20th – Matthew 4:1

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Matthew 4:1

Temptation is everywhere. And I don’t know about you, but more than not, in my fleshly weakness I fall to those temptations. Then it becomes a vicious cycle. I sin, regret it, pray for forgiveness, feel bad for giving in to the temptation, and to numb the pain of failing, I sin again. But thankfully, God’s forgiveness is unending, and His patience inexhaustible. Because He too faced temptation. The Lord knows the struggle of fighting the Tempter, a relentless enemy who longs for our destruction. Yet in the desert facing down Satan, Jesus was victorious. With each temptation the Lord fought back with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Eph. 6:17) A mighty weapon available to each of us, and one that stops evil in its tracks. So when temptation rears it’s ugly head, I can rejoice knowing that God won’t let me be tempted beyond what I can bear. (1 Cor. 10:13), forgives me when I fail, and provides the path of victory through His precious Word!

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July 29th – 1 Corinthians 9:19

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1 Corinthians 9:19

As soon as we receive Jesus as our Savior, the chains of bondage, sin, and death are broken. We are free, no longer under the power of the Enemy, nor any man. So why would we ever want to return to slavery? Yet that’s exactly what the apostle Paul did. Only instead of being a slave to the world, Paul eagerly became a slave to Jesus. This meant answering the call God put on his life. The same call He gives to each of us. To spread the Good News of Jesus Christ. And in order to do this, Paul became all things to all people. That means he met people wherever they were in life. Paul preached to those from all walks of life and backgrounds, foregoing traditions and comforts to share the gospel. But one thing Paul didn’t do. He didn’t compromise His morals, or the Word of God. He was careful that while going into the world to tell everyone about Jesus, he didn’t become worldly himself. And neither should we.

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July 24th – 1 Corinthians 16:13

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1 Corinthians 16:13

In closing his letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives some sage advice to all believers. Be on the alert, stand firm, grow up, and be strong. Why? Because the freedom we enjoy through Jesus can quickly be snatched away if we aren’t on guard. Awareness of what’s going on around us keeps us from slipping back into bondage. And keeping a watchful eye on ourselves, our families, and our world, protects us from the tricks of the Enemy. Next Paul tells us to stand firm in our faith. Spending time with God and in His Word gives us everything we need to arm ourselves against false teachers and false doctrines. It also keeps us growing and maturing in our spiritual walk with the Lord. Finally, Paul says to be strong. And we stand the strongest when we give our weakness to God. Through Him we can overcome any temptation, any attack, and any deception!

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