Grace to you, and peace from our Lord Jesus Christ,
In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul gives us a valuable history lesson and some practical teaching on temptation.
The memory passage is
1 Corinthians 10:12-14, 31 (ESV)
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
The outline theme is Correct Resistance to Temptation.
The history lesson in vv 1-11 can be summarized this way; look at Israel and learn from their mistakes. The Corinthian church was repeating the mistakes of the Israelites. The nation of Israel was extremely blessed with God's supernatural guidance, miraculous deliverance, spiritual leadership (through Moses), spiritual food and spiritual drink. And yet, in spite of all of this, they turned away from God and He punished them in the desert. The Corinthian church was being tempted to crave meat and drink, worship idols, participate in sexually immoral activity, question God's plan and question His appointed leaders.
"These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction" (11). Learn from history so you don't have to repeat it.
"OK", says Paul, "So you think this won't happen to you? Beware. Take heed." Temptation will come, but it is the same temptation (in general) that has been around from the beginning of man. But, God is faithful. And in His sovereignty He guards your life so that the temptation too much for you to overcome. He gives us two things to deal with temptation; the way of escape and endurance. The way of escape is to 'flee' (10:14, 6:18) from temptation. God can not be tempted, nor does He tempt (James 1:13). And He doesn't always remove the temptation. James 1:2-4 teaches that the testing of your faith (through trials and/or temptations) produces endurance and maturity. In Christ, there is always a way of escape from temptation and an abundance of endurance to stand strong in Him.
How do we respond to idolatry? Just like we respond to temptation and sexual immorality; flee. The unity in the body of Christ is damaged when people worship idols. Even being 'participants' in idolatry by eating food offered to demons diminishes our worship and damages our witness. You may be free to eat or drink something based on your convictions, but always be aware of the consciences of others. If you are with someone who has a major issue with what you are eating or drinking, don't do it. Paul's statement in 1 Corinthians 8 is simple; if it causes a brother to stumble, I won't do it. And his conclusion here in v 31 is that everything should be done to the glory of God, 'that they may be saved' (33).
How does this affect my worship?
The ultimate fullness of worship is an entire life that glorifies God. Paul's summary comes out of the direct application to eating and drinking, but he adds the 'whatever you do' to cover all the bases. And let's not overlook the importance of thankfulness (30). The thankful heart is the core of worship expression. If we combine this with Colossians 3:17, we have no loopholes; 'in whatever you eat, drink, say and do; glorify God.' That pretty much covers it.
How does this affect my discipleship?
As part of 'teaching them to observe all that [Jesus] commanded' (Matt 28:20), we should never neglect the study of the past; ours and others'. In this chapter, Paul uses the history of Israel to warn the Corinthian church about the consequences for their actions. We can do the same in our discipleship using our own lives or the lives of other believers. As a father, I hope to teach my children to avoid some of the mistakes I have made in life. The things God has grown me through can be passed on in the course of discipleship (parenting or 'spiritual parenting'). Learn from history so we don't end up repeating it.
Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, glorify God this week!
Ethan
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Colossians 3:16
Grace and peace,
Today I am taking a break from 1 Corinthians to write an entry on Colossians 3:16. If anyone asks me for a 'life-verse' or an especially meaningful verse that affects my life and ministry in a special way, this is the one I would pick (at least at this stage in my life). It is a verse that I have had memorized for a long time, but I am just now experiencing its richness.
I memorized it (within the passage 12-17) in the NIV. The ESV renders it very closely to the NIV although I believe the ESV captures the verse's essence more succinctly.
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
The verse begins where we all must begin; God's Word. That is where He reveals His Person, His purpose, and His plan to us. Thus the importance of letting it dwell in us richly. We do this by study, meditation, memorization, and application. And as His 'implanted Word' (James 1:21) abides (John 15), lives and works (Heb 4:12) in us, through the power of Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ. Then, in our actions and our words we reflect more and more the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).
Having the mind of Christ, we then can teach and admonish each other in all wisdom; His wisdom (1 Cor 2). Teaching (instructing) and admonishing (counseling, or warning in love) are integral parts of Paul's whole ministry focus; as we see in Colossians 1:28. "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." The same Greek word is in both of these verses as 'admonishing' and 'warning'. Both appeals start with God; His Person and His Word. Both stress the importance of teaching and admonishing in His wisdom. And both result in worship; presenting mature believers to Christ and singing in thankfulness.
The Word of Christ is to dwell in us as we teach and disciple as well as when we worship. Spirit and truth worship (John 4:23-24) must be grounded in the Word of God. Psalms (from the book of Psalms), hymns (song of praise to God), and spiritual songs (other expressions of song or poetry to God) must be richly infused with the Word of God and offered in a spirit of thankfulness.
If you ever need a 'nutshell' for the Christian life, Colossians 3:16 offers a starting point. God's Word dwelling in your heart, God's command to make disciples playing out in your life, and God's worship being poured out from your spirit.
May His Word dwell in you richly today,
Ethan
Today I am taking a break from 1 Corinthians to write an entry on Colossians 3:16. If anyone asks me for a 'life-verse' or an especially meaningful verse that affects my life and ministry in a special way, this is the one I would pick (at least at this stage in my life). It is a verse that I have had memorized for a long time, but I am just now experiencing its richness.
I memorized it (within the passage 12-17) in the NIV. The ESV renders it very closely to the NIV although I believe the ESV captures the verse's essence more succinctly.
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
The verse begins where we all must begin; God's Word. That is where He reveals His Person, His purpose, and His plan to us. Thus the importance of letting it dwell in us richly. We do this by study, meditation, memorization, and application. And as His 'implanted Word' (James 1:21) abides (John 15), lives and works (Heb 4:12) in us, through the power of Holy Spirit, we become more like Christ. Then, in our actions and our words we reflect more and more the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).
Having the mind of Christ, we then can teach and admonish each other in all wisdom; His wisdom (1 Cor 2). Teaching (instructing) and admonishing (counseling, or warning in love) are integral parts of Paul's whole ministry focus; as we see in Colossians 1:28. "Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ." The same Greek word is in both of these verses as 'admonishing' and 'warning'. Both appeals start with God; His Person and His Word. Both stress the importance of teaching and admonishing in His wisdom. And both result in worship; presenting mature believers to Christ and singing in thankfulness.
The Word of Christ is to dwell in us as we teach and disciple as well as when we worship. Spirit and truth worship (John 4:23-24) must be grounded in the Word of God. Psalms (from the book of Psalms), hymns (song of praise to God), and spiritual songs (other expressions of song or poetry to God) must be richly infused with the Word of God and offered in a spirit of thankfulness.
If you ever need a 'nutshell' for the Christian life, Colossians 3:16 offers a starting point. God's Word dwelling in your heart, God's command to make disciples playing out in your life, and God's worship being poured out from your spirit.
May His Word dwell in you richly today,
Ethan
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