1 Corinthians 5:2 - Truth in Love

 

1 Corinthians 5:2

NKJV

And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 

NLT

You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.

 

The Enduring Word commentary mentions a few reasons as to maybe why the Corinth Church allowed the man mentioned in verse one to continue to be in fellowship with them. But I think this one probably sums up what they felt, and what is happening in churches today:

 

” More than anything, the Corinthian Christians probably allowed this in the name of “tolerance.” They probably said to themselves, “Look how loving we are. We accept this brother just as he is. Look how open-minded we are!” We should never underestimate what people will allow in the name of “open-mindedness.”

 

We as believers in Christ; as the Church (big C), should only be tolerant of those things that line up with what God’s word says. This verse talks about the unrepentant man in verse one, how they should remove him from the fellowship. I think it is really easy to look at the spec in someone else’s eye and not see the four-by-four in our own.  The key that I see here is that we should be in mourning and broken hearted over this sin of a fellow believer. What did we do to encourage that believer to come out of their sin? Did we talk with them? Did we develop a relationship with them, so that we were able to have that hard conversation about their lifestyle? What did we do in love, before we got to the place where someone was removed from the fellowship?

 

I’ve recently learned some lessons about this subject, it wasn’t a fun time for sure. I fully supported what happened, but it left me with some thoughts on what I could have done differently and what I will do differently going forward. There is never anything wrong with speaking truth to someone. But I’d say that our truth should never be a club; truth should be spoke with the same love that Jesus showed in His truth. Rest assured that truth is a whole lot easier to speak if you have a relationship with someone.

 

And if that truth is rejected, on any level; then it should break our hearts and we should mourn the loss of someone in fellowship. We should also, always, try to minister to them where they are to pull them back into relationship with us.

 

Seems kinda rambly today….

 

Love you all,

cej

1 Corinthians 5:1 - Not Self Medicated

 

1 Corinthians 5:1

NKJV

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s wife!

 

NLT

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.

 

This is really salacious! There are some commentaries that speculate that this man was a teacher in the church. Regardless, if he was a teacher or not…it was something that even the pagans found repugnant. I think if you look past the salaciousness of the actual sin itself, which don’t get me wrong…it’s wrong. But if you really dig down into this, really try to get to the root, you can see this is about doing what you want…regardless of right or wrong. This man, teacher or not, chose to do something because if felt good, it didn’t matter to him if it was right or wrong.

 

I wonder if we all dug down into why we commit the sins that we do, if we wouldn’t find the very same thing? Sure, at times there are psychological reasons, but maybe dig a little deeper. It felt good and, in that moment, we didn’t care about the consequences. As I write that, I am speaking to myself here!

 

I can look at times that I have sinned and the root of it, if I’m honest with myself, is that if felt good and I didn’t care about God or anyone else in that moment. I chose that particular sin to change how I felt, because in that moment life was too hard to deal with.

 

We need to learn how to deal with ourselves in a positive manner! I wonder if we don’t “self-medicate” with our sins? A wise person told me once that “sins are fun, otherwise no one would do them”  Sometimes, sins are funner than the life situation we are in at the moment. But it is so fleeting! It’s not there very long and will leave us feeling worse than we did before. We feel sad; and angry; and ashamed. All of these are not from God. But that’s the lie, isn’t it? It’s time to quit living on how we feel and start living in the spirit; so that we know who our loving, living God wants us to be.

 

Not self-medicated today,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:21 - Big Stick

 

1 Corinthians 4:21

NKJV

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

 

NLT

Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?

 

Mathew Poole’s commentary, says “Which will ye rather choose? That I should come unto you as a father cometh to his child under some guilt for which he must punish and correct him, or as a father cometh to his child that hath done nothing provoking his displeasure, in love, and meekly? I am not willing to come to you to correct and punish any of you by ecclesiastical censures, which are a rod which Christ hath entrusted to me; I had rather come in love and meekness, that we might mutually rejoice in each other’s society.”

 

I have read that this is one of the real challenges of ministry.  How to confront sin in such a manner as to draw someone toward Christ, speaking truth and love; and not be so harsh and unforgiving as to push them away.  Because to be honest, harshness is at times our natural tendency.  We rank our sins.  My sins are littler than everyone else’s because…well…they’re mine!  If this is our thought, then we’re messed up like a soup sandwich!

 

We need to consider ourselves through the God lens.  God doesn’t rank sins.  A sin, is a sin, is a sin to God.  They’re all the same.  So, that guy on TV who shot somebody?  His sin is the same as my sin of laziness.  That’s pretty tough to think about, but sin is anytime we miss the mark.  Billy Graham once defined sin as “any thought or action that falls short of God’s will. God is perfect, and anything we do that falls short of His perfection is sin” 

 

So if we look at ourselves through that lens, then the question becomes…how do we want the Lord coming to us when we sin?  Do we want that big stick up side the head; or do we want a loving, gentle reproof?  Today’s verse starts out, “what do you want?”  Well…what do you want?

 

I don’t want the stick,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:19 - Low, Slow and Not Too Much

 

1 Corinthians 4:19

NKJV

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.

 

NLT

But I will come—and soon—if the Lord lets me, and then I’ll find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have God’s power

 

Do I speak words in my own power, or do I let God lead? In verse eighteen, I kinda jokingly said that Paul was saying “don’t make me come over there” Paul was not trash talking here, he was basically reminding the Corinthians that the same power continues to show that God’s authority is with Paul.

 

Back to the first question, do I speak words in my own power, or do I let God lead? What God says, and how He leads me, is way more important than anything I can say. Unfortunately, sometimes my mouth gets in gear and the things that come out are not run through the Holy Spirit filter at all. My friend Carl was a really slow talker, a lot of people didn’t think he was very smart. But what I figured out about him was that he was serious about his relationship with Christ. He measured everything he said, it didn’t leave his mouth without him capturing it and making sure it was run through that God filter.

 

Wouldn’t that be a good idea for all of us?  John Wayne said, “talk low, talk slow and don’t say too much” This is really good advice we should all follow. Because if we don’t, then another John Wayne quote comes into play, “Life is hard; it’s harder if you’re stupid.”

 

Low, slow, and not too much,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:18 - Don't Make me Come Over There

 

1 Corinthians 4:18

NKJV

Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 

 

NLT

Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again. 

 

I can remember being told by my dad, “don’t think I won’t come over there”.  This was usually followed by “and whip you butt”, because I was a trouble-getter-inner-kid.  But I think the first part of this is appropriate.  Paul is saying the same thing, “don’t think I won’t come over there”. 

 

The Corinthians were on their social media (CorinthSpace, maybe), hiding behind their screens.  Saying whatever they wanted too about whoever.  Times haven’t changed all that much, have they?  Here we are, 2,000 years later and we do the same thing.  Aren’t we a whole lot braver online than we are in person?

 

It shouldn’t be this way, we should be willing to speak truth; but speak truth in love and kindness.  We all have the ability to puke our truth on strangers, but what does that gain us.  Are we willing to have a relationship with someone we disagree with in order to understand where they come from and how we can influence them into a biblical viewpoint?  Or do we just vomit our opinions and walk away?  Let’s not be that person, let’s be lovers of people.  Love them enough to have a relationship for change.  Speak God’s truth, just don’t make it a weapon you beat them over the head with.

 

Don’t think I won’t come over there,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:14-17 - Spur On!

Wilbur PLaugher

 

1 Corinthians 4:14-17

NKVJ

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.  For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.  Therefore I urge you, imitate me. For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

 

NLT

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.  For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.  So I urge you to imitate me.  That’s why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I follow Christ Jesus, just as I teach in all the churches wherever I go.

I believe this is talking about those that instruct us in any kind of bible study and those that have invested time in us, a mentor if you will.  There is a difference.  I have been in bible studies of various kinds for probably 30 years, with just a few exceptions, few of the teacher have been what I call invested in me.  Don’t get me wrong, I think they liked me (maybe for the most part); but they weren’t invested in me.  They weren’t in my life 3-4-5 times a week wanting to know how I’m doing and what is going on.

This is the difference between teaching and discipleship.  The person who knows what’s under your skin; the things you’re struggling with; the things you don’t share with the public, that is the guy who is invested.  This is the guy who is walking through life with you; the one who hears the jacked up things we’re thinking and says “wow dude, that’s jacked up!  I love you and that’s wrong.  But I want to walk through this with you” 

I have a pastor friend that I’ve heard say, “evangelism is fun and exciting and everybody wants to do it.  But discipleship is a whole lot harder, it takes work and a ton of effort”  We should all strive to have someone who we consider as a mentor, someone we’re not afraid to puke our problems on; but someone who is willing to call us on our baloney.  To speak truth and encouragement into our lives.  We should also have someone that we’re willing to do the same with.

 

Hebrews 10:24 says we are to spur one another on to love and good deed.  I believe we at times need someone to spur us on and at other times we need to spur someone else on. 

 

Spur on!

cej

 

 

1 Corinthians 4:20 - Lead Me

 

1 Corinthians 4:20

NKJV

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

 

NLT

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

 

I think we can all fall into the trap of saying, and doing, all the right things in our visible walk with Christ. I used to tell the youth, don’t tell me the church answers…I know all those. Tell me what you really think. I am guilty of not walking my walk in the power of God, of saying all of the churchy things to make the appearances seem like I’m in a good place. But, at times I most certainly am not in a good place.

 

I have all that I need from God to not just talk the talk; but to walk the walk too! All I have to do is lean into the Holy Spirit; to trust that God said He would never leave me or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5).  I have to believe that the devil will flee from me if I submit myself to God (James 4:7).

 

Wow! How about that? Seems simple enough, just submit to God and the devils gotta go! Ahh…but that submission, that’s the difficult part. To accept the power that I have been given through my salvation; I have to give my whole self to God. This is difficult in that I can’t be about me anymore. It’s easy in that all you have to say is “ok, God…lead me”

 

Lead me today, Lord!

cej

1 Corinthians 4:11-13 - Fightin" the Flesh

 

When Cowboys Get in Trouble - CM Russell

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

NKJV

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.  And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

 

NLT

Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.  We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.

 

If we think about how poorly the apostles were treated by those that proclaimed Christ, we really have to examine ourselves today.  Are we all that different?  Are we treating our under-shepherds any better?  If I believe that what my pastor is bringing on Sunday, is from God…then why don’t I do what I am called to do?  If our pastors are plugged into God, then most likely they are talking directly to us with their message.  I know my pastor is always preaching directly to me….and I know that’s from God.  So, why do I struggle with pursuing my call?

 

I believe it’s because I am still capable of sin.  I am still in this flesh body, that is at constant war with the Spirit.  I am not condemned by my sin because Jesus is my savior and He paid that price already, but I’m still capable.  We have all the tools we need to fight our flesh, but it takes effort and perseverance to get beyond our flesh.  So let’s lean into that today.

 

Fightin’ the flesh,

cej 

1 Corinthians 4:10 - Who do you love?

 

1 Corinthians 4:10

NKJV

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 

 

NLT

Our dedication to Christ makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.

 

Bibleref.net:  Paul is comparing the spiritual lifestyles of those in Corinth with that of the apostles of Jesus. He wants them to see what it has cost those who minister to them to serve Christ in this way. Maybe more than that, however, Paul also wants them to question whom they are truly serving as they continue to lead lives marked by wealth and power.

 

George Thorogood covered a Bo Diddley song where he asked the question “who do you love?” I believe this is probably a good question for us as believers too.  Yesterday was about putting down that old carcass, our old selves, and picking up the power of the grace we’ve received.  It’s hard to put down something if we don’t know who we love or why you should love them.  Let’s start with the obvious, love Jesus.  Because He first loved us (1 John 4:19); while we were sinners, He died for us (Romans 5:8); and He has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).  These are some of the obvious things to me.

 

More subtle, is the fact that God created this world out of love; and every breath we take is a picture of that love.  Think about the miracles that we see every day, and we don’t see them as miracles.  God’s love is in the details, clear down to what holds our cells together.  So if we can learn to appreciate the small details of God’s love, then the big ones will blow our socks off.

 

So the question is, do we love God enough to put Him before all the other things we struggle with?  Are we going to accept the power of the Holy Spirit and put down our old carcass (sins); or are we going to say “Jesus, your death wasn’t enough”

 

Talkin’ to me today,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:9 - Not Draggin' it today

 1 Corinthians 4:9

NKJV

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 

 

NLT

Instead, I sometimes think God has put us apostles on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world—to people and angels alike.

 

In a commentary that I was reading today, it talked about two things.  One, Paul wanted the Corinthian Christians to understand how much those who serve have sacrificed in order to do the will of God; and two, he wanted them to understand that a life spent in service to Christ may include loss and pain instead of wealth and power.

 

I am guilty of thinking of myself as spiritually privileged, just like the Corinthian Christians.  Sometimes this is thoughts of “God is going to be ok with my continued sin because He has already saved me”, that’s pretty arrogant isn’t it! Don’t misunderstand me, I believe that once we know Christ as our Savior, then He never leaves us (Hebrews 13:5).  The arrogance comes in me not accepting this gift to walk away from my sin.  Our Father in heaven does not want us to continue to pick up that old carcass (who we were before Christ) that we used to be.  We are made new and are no longer that old person.

 

So today,  I want to lay down that old carcass and quite dragging it around.  Life in, and of, itself is hard enough, without carrying around all of the things that Jesus Christ has given me the power to walk away from.  I want to hook onto the grace that I’m given, with every grip that I can get from my spurs. 

 

What about you today?  You in on dumping the old carcass?

 

Not dragging it today,

cej

1 Corinthians 4:8 - Be Humble

 

1 Corinthians 4:8

NKJV

You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!

 

NLT

You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in God’s kingdom without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.

 

Bibleref.net:  Some Bible teachers believe the Corinthians began to misunderstand Christian teachings, thinking they should be experiencing the pleasure and authority of heaven on this side of eternity.  Others believe Paul means they are simply acting as if they don’t need and are not accountable to Christ.  Either way, their “puffed up” attitudes show they have a flawed view of their own place in the kingdom of God.

 

I am always trying to bring these to some kind of application in my life.  Some way that I can relate my personal life to what is being said in the verse.  I’m convicted today.  There have been times in my life, recently too, where I felt I deserved something.  I felt my role should have been greater than it was, thankfully it wasn’t.  Because praying men placed me in that role to serve.  It was a dose of humble pie for sure!  Thank God!  Everything I have is from the Lord.  My time…my talents… and my treasures…all of it!  It’s all a gift from God, and there is only one reason I deserve any of it.  The blood of Christ made me worthy. 

 

What about you today?  As my dad would say, “are you getting too big for your britches?”  What do you have going on that you’re maybe taking too much credit for?  When we get to the point where we feel like we deserve something….isn’t that worshiping self?  Self-evaluation is a good thing and we can all examine ourselves today. 

 

Be humble,

cej