Day #89 - 1 Corinthians 9 and 10 1 Corinthians 9 - It seems as though some in Corinth were questioning Pauls credentials as an apostle. Pauls response to them was to look in the mirror. Not that they should question themselves but rather that their life was proof of his effectiveness in ministry. Paul said their faith was stronger because of the witness he had among them. I wonder if my life affects people they same way Pauls did? That should be our goal that like Paul when we are gone the difference will be evident in the lives left behind. Paul then spends time addressing the fact that he shares some of the same rights that the other apostles had; the right to marry, to be paid for his labors in ministry, etc...In verses 8-9 Paul addresses the fact that as a minister of the gospel hew should be paid for his labors (though he and Barnabas did not accept pay Paul defends the right of others to be paid) by quoting Deuteronomy 25:4. In the Deuteronomy passage, God commanded that a person should not muzzle an ox while it was working. In those days, grain would be separated from the husk by having an ox walk on it repeatedly (usually around a circle). God said in the law that it would be cruel to force the ox to walk on all the grain, yet to muzzle him so he couldnt eat some of it. Is it oxen that God is really concerned about and talking about here? No. God was establishing the principle that a minister had the right to be supported by the people he ministered to. As Warren Wiersbe says in his commentary, Since oxen cannot read, this verse was not written for them. I love the end of the chapter as Paul explains that to run the race to win requires dedication and discipline. The disciplines of the faith, bible study, prayer, and worship equip us and train us that we might stay in the race. I have been trying to lose a little weight. Its not enough for me to want to be lighter. It takes daily discipline and dedication. I have been walking 2 1/2 miles on the treadmill every day and trying to watch what I eat. Its not enough for you to sit there and want to be a better Christian. At some point you have to get off of the sideline and into the race. Dont just show up spiritually each day to jog a couple of laps and head for the showers. Train hard. Without a goal in mind, discipline is really nothing more than self-punishment. You must know why you are doing what you are doing. We compete (study, pray, worship) daily so that when we stand before The Lord we will hear those words well done. 1 Corinthians 10 - Paul goes back to the same subject hed addressed in chapter 8, namely whether it was okay to eat meat that may have previously been offered to an idol. Then Paul had given two principles: (1) Know that an idol is only a piece of wood or stone, nothing more and nothing else. (2) The principle of the weaker brother. Paul had said that even though it might be fine to eat the meat, if it would cause a weaker brother in the faith to stumble, it would be better not to eat the meat. In chapter 9 connecting the two chapters dealing with this Paul basically said as a believer there are times when you give up some things willingly in an effort top run your spiritual race well. Paul then recounted many Old Testament lessons that should serve as an example to those of the New Testament church. The key for us is to stay in the Word asking God to teach us the lessons from those who have run the race before that we might not commit the same mistakes they did. If you are a younger believer, one of the things you can do is find an older believer be it in age or years in the faith and hang out with them. Pick their brain about the struggles they have faced and how they overcame them. Pick their brain about how to daily stay focused on the disciplines of the faith. Paul teaches a strong word about temptation that we should read and heed today. He gives 3 principles we can learn regarding temptation. (1) Temptations and desiring things that you shouldnt happens to everyone (No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man). (2) Others before you have resisted the temptation and he implies thus you can too (common to man implies that they have been tempted and survived). (3) Any temptation can be resisted if you will let God help you (but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape that you may be able to bear it). If you are struggling with temptation look around for the exit sign that God has provided. When you are tempted the Holy Spirit will always point toward the way to get past this temptation. If you linger too long before taking the exit, dont be surprised if you are not strong enough to get out before its too late. In 2 Timothy 2:22 Paul told young Timothy to flee temptations. I need to point out that this verse is often wrongly quoted and many try to make it say something that it does not say. I have heard many well-meaning Christians use this verse as a proof-text that God will not put more on you than you can handle. That is NOT what this verse teaches. This verse is dealing with temptation not pressures of life. To say that God will not put more on you than you can handle is to paint a picture different of God than the God of the bible. God repeatedly put more on people than they could handle (see Job as one example) to show that He is their strength and the one they turn to. Paul who wrote this in another passage said he prayed three times for a thorn in the flesh to be removed. God refused to remove it and instead told Paul His grace was sufficient. When you feel overwhelmed dont let the misuse of this verse cause you to feel like a second-class Christian. Instead when overwhelmed let your troubles lead you to lean on your loving Father who loves you and wants whats best for you.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 01:20:32 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015