Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Corinthians 11-16

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟙:𝟙  

"Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."

How many times can we say this? Many seem to be saying the very opposite: “don't imitate me.”

I think it's good to read the word of God and share what we learn in a small group like this. It is just for a season. As you see I have done for Acts, Romans, and now, am in I Corinthians. I would, in the spirit of Paul, exhort you to imitate me, if and since you have affirmed it to be good. After the book of I Corinthians, I shall be doing the same in II Corinthians, perhaps the last book for this group. And I shall update no more!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟚:𝟚𝟞

"And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it."

This describes the nature of the church. How each individual affects the church in a good way or a bad way. Actually, in every church I have been to, I have never seen this truth being practiced satisfactorily. I don't think there will be any church on planet earth for that matter. Of course, if it's small enough it could be.

What I see is some people, not each individual. Some big people or some nerds or some talkative people can make a scene in the church. But some people are always behind (left out/ignored).

Well, pastors and leaders aren't the Good Shepherd, we are just under-shepherds. We aren't wise enough, loving enough, powerful enough, of course. However, I see something to fervently ask upon the Lord!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟛:𝟞-𝟟 — 𝕃𝕆𝕍𝔼

I am an undistracted single. No special woman in my mind or eyes or even in my fantasy/dream. However, whenever I think about love between a man and a woman, I think of

v7 "it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

I don't know what couples think of love and what description of love in this passage will they choose. 🙂

Now, as a pastor, and especially in this season of my life when I think about love, verse 6 is more realistic (stands out) to me.

v6. "It does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth"

It takes love not to be rejoicing. It takes love to be hurtful. It takes love to weep. It takes love to care. It takes love to lose sleep.

Positively, love rejoices too, in truth, righteousness, godliness, Christlikeness. When someone does good, it is not jealous, it rejoices.

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟜:𝟚𝟘

"Brothers, do not be children in your thinking; rather in evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature."

In Thinking — don't act like children.

In Evil — be infants

Again,

In Thinking — Be mature

Interesting! Two commandments for thinking. A negative commandment. Then further clarified by a positive commandment.

Just one commandment for evil — a positive commandment, just don't even think of it!

I have a blog called "Help Think" because I want to help people think. I want to help people think through various issues of life.

Let us be thinking Christians! Let us be thinking leaders and leading thinkers too!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟝:𝟙𝟘

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."

Chapter 15 is the biggest in I Corinthians. It is about the Gospel. And it centres on the resurrection of Jesus Christ from v12-58. However, I find the humility of Apostle Paul in response to this glorious truth expressed in v8-11 soul-searching.

Many people have used the famous line "I am what I am" from this verse in their testimony and their successes. And recently, CityAlight has come up with a great hymn from this verse using the line "Yet not I, but Christ in me."

And many organizations, including UESI has been familiar with a line from this verse "His grace not in vain." This verse is indeed an amazing and so influencing verse.

What seems to be left behind from this verse, often ignored, treated as Cinderella is of course, "I labored even more than all of them," and it seems obvious because we, normally don't want to work, that also working very hard, that also harder than the rest, that also than the rest of the apostles, Peter, James, and John and everyone.

ℍ𝔸ℝ𝔻 𝕎𝕆ℝ𝕂, ℕ𝕆 ℂ𝕆𝕄ℙ𝕃𝔸ℂ𝔼ℕℂ𝕐

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟞:𝟚

"On the first day of every week each one of you is to set something aside, saving whatever he has prospered, so that no collections be made when I come."

Top 5 observations:

1. Early churches gather on Sunday.

2. Offerings are collected regularly.

3. Offerings are used up for giving to others (missionary). It's not a contribution for food after church service.

4. Offerings are the outcome of settled principles, not an occasional impulse. Budgeting is implied.

5. Offerings are not one-time giving. It's a regular giving. So that in the end, offerings collected will be more than the one-time giving.

🅁🄴🄵🄻🄴🄲🅃🄸🄾🄽:

If I give an offering of ₹10 every Sunday, I will be giving a maximum amount of only ₹40 or ₹50 by the end of the month.

But, if a missionary shows up and collects an offering, I think I will be likely to give 100 rupees. If I do that, my one-time offering is more than my regular offering, which is the opposite of Paul's principle.

Paul's regular offering is to give more yet not to exhaust all our earnings. But many church members give offering without budgeting, without principles, without serious thought, and contrary to Paul's direction!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Corinthians 6-10

 [Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible]

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟞:𝟙𝟡-𝟚𝟘

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

I remember Jesus, cleansing the temple more than once in His public ministry of around 3 years.

He was furious,

He was serious,

It is obvious

And is glorious

Because He was zealous

for the house of God.

This verse says that we are the temple of God the Holy Spirit. What measure of cleansing do I need?

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟟:𝟚𝟙-𝟚𝟜

"Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it. But if you are able also to become free, rather do that. For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. Brothers, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called."

Some people got saved when they were old enough, and they mistook their calling into the family of God to be the calling into the mission of God.

They tried to become missionaries or pastors or evangelists. They thought their conversion experience was for the commission. They would even try to go to seminary and so on. I think even William Wilberforce struggled to differentiate that. John Newton helped him to be where he had been. And he remained and became a great politician, reformer!

The demon-possessed guy got saved by Jesus, he wanted to follow Jesus like the rest of the disciples. Jesus forbade him. However, a son of perdition, Judas Iscariot was chosen to be not only an Apostle but even a Finance Secretary.

IAS officer (Tax Collector) Matthew was called to be an Apostle. Another IAS officer, Zacchaeus (chief tax collector) who had a special invitation from Jesus seems to remain friends with all his friends. In fact, he invited all his IRS, IPS, etc, friends to a party and presented Christ to them.

Calling to Salvation doesn't mean Calling to Gospel Ministry. Everyone is called to Salvation, only a few are called to the Gospel Ministry. Even among the few, some disqualified themselves. BTW, good news! Nobody disqualified themselves from salvation!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟠:𝟙𝟙

"For through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died."

Who is a weak brother? And who are the strong? Well, I am a weak brother if I hang out with those who are stronger than me. I am a strong brother if I hang out with the weak.

But Christ died both for the weak and the strong. The strong must not despise the weak but must help the weak. The strong must not boast of their strength (freedom) but must come alongside the weak in restricting their use of strength (freedom).

The practical implications of this are huge! I have discovered some, and many more to discover!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟡:𝟙𝟞

"For if I proclaim the gospel, I have nothing to boast, for I am under compulsion. For woe is me if I do not proclaim the gospel."

As a minister of the Gospel, I have nothing to boast about. Conversions are the works of the Spirit. Counselling is also the wisdom from the illumination of the Spirit.

Gospel ministers are unprofitable slaves just doing their duty. Not for fame or praise or appreciation or recognition, but of course, to please the Master. When the Master pleases, the slaves are happy.

Even in real life, when the boss is in a good mood, the workers are happy. They say that when mama isn't happy, nobody ain't happy!

Negatively, gospel ministry is not easy— full of discouragement within and without. Yet, woe is me if I cease, stop, or quit!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙𝟘:𝟚𝟛-𝟚𝟜

"All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other person."

Mature Christians are not measured by their expression of freedom but by their suppression/resistance of freedom for the sake of others.

I want freedom. There's even a song "I want to break free." I want to be independent. I want privacy. I want to do whatever I want.

However, I am called into the body, to come alongside one another, to bear one another's burden. It's also true that people love me when my good deeds influence them. When I am selfish, nobody likes me, nor do I like myself, and my conscience condemns me. When I think only for myself, the other person suffers and reverberates to all the parts of the body.

The world says, "My rights, my wish, my life, my money." Christ says, "Deny self." Love others. Sacrifice your freedom for the good of others!

Bible Reading Reflection from 1 Corinthians 1-5

[Originally posted in a WhatsApp group (SSEU) as a daily reading update (reflection) from each chapter of the Bible] 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟙:𝟚𝟞-𝟚𝟟

"For consider your calling, brothers, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong."

First truth: I am one of them. Some are wise like Paul, Luther, Lloyd Jones, or Albert Mohler. I am and will not be anywhere close to them. However, this is nothing bad, nothing lacking, actually, something virtuous in the plan of All-Wise God. [In short, not a negative point]

Second Truth: Bible is sufficient to proclaim the power of God to salvation. In fact, it's foolish to attempt to persuade people to believe the Gospel by means of our achievements, our knowledge of politics, scientific discovery, or philosophy —anything other than the foolishness of the Gospel. And yet, how many men want to talk like intellectuals! And how many want to act like intellectuals! I, myself, am not blameless.

Third truth: God has no respect for the wise of this world. Also true, He has no toleration for the ignorant. Both are called to repent of their sins. Wise or Ignorant, all humans are sinners, and therefore, I am to call all of them to repent and trust Jesus Christ. I need not be intimidated by anyone in the service of the Gospel!

And yet, there's nothing to glory nothing to boast, only to boast in the power of God that a wretch like me is even called to have fellowship with Him (v9).

𝓖𝓵𝓸𝓻𝔂 𝓫𝓮 𝓽𝓸 𝓖𝓸𝓭 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓷!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟚:𝟜-𝟝

"and my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God."

Paul knew the wisdom of men — philosophy, mythology, scientific ideas of his times, traditions, history, and so on. Yet he determined to speak nothing of them. He buffeted himself to avoid even a single word about them. Because the wisdom of men does not save anyone. Then, yes, why waste time and energy?

To most people, Paul was boring, but to the few mature, it's the wisdom of God (v6) And Paul was contented with this methodology, which was appreciated only by those whom God had elected to salvation from before the foundation of the world (v7-8)

As a public speaker, I want everyone to be encouraged, motivated, and happy through my speaking (preaching, teaching, counselling). However, Paul's way of ministry is a model — casting away human wisdom and fully casting upon the Spirit of God.

And even the few, who understand, see, hear, (and learn to appreciate, and recognize the wisdom of God) is not because these few are wise or better, but because God has given them (and us) the mind of Christ to comprehend (v16)

𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓮! 𝓞 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓮! 𝓔𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓘 𝓷𝓮𝓮𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓮.

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟛

v18 "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.”

v21 "So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours"

We would like to boast of others. We love to say, "I'm so proud of you!"

We boast in our association with others. O, I attend such and such university, seminary, church. O, I was baptized by such and such. O, I met such and such. Hmmm! Not farther from Corinthians. Some followed Paul; Others, Apollos; still yet others, Peter, etc.

My church may not be as good as yours. Our pastors and members may not be as great as theirs. We may not be as rich or as fruitful as them. But our boasting, glory, joy, and satisfaction are only in Christ.

As a young minister of the Gospel, a temptation to compare, which either leads to vainglory or self-pity is a challenge I must avoid consciously!

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟜:𝟙-𝟛

"Let a man consider us in this manner, as 𝕤𝕖𝕣𝕧𝕒𝕟𝕥𝕤 of Christ and 𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕨𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕤 of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found ғᴀɪᴛʜғᴜʟ. But to me it is a very small thing that I may be 𝖊𝖝𝖆𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖉 by you, or by any human court. In fact, I do not even 𝖊𝖝𝖆𝖒𝖎𝖓𝖊 myself."

While many ministers want to be looked up to as intellectual, sophisticated, and wise, Paul's ambition was to be seen as a servant of Christ.

But of course, a minister like Paul is not our plumber, cook, or barber. He is a servant, but a kind of servant who is also the steward of the mysteries of God. This can also be translated as the "housemaster"

A housemaster can still be a servant like Joseph in Potiphar's house. And it is expected of such a person/position to be faithful. And his faithfulness is examined by his Master. It doesn't matter what others may say or what he thinks of himself. He lives to please Christ.

Paul's mood is not sinfully affected by compliments or criticisms, by guilt or complacency. Because He doesn't care about compliments or criticism. He has no unrepentant or habitual sins, but he isn't complacent about it either. He doesn't congratulate himself. He just cares only about the examination of his Master, for he is just a servant and just a steward.

Three virtues from these 3 verses I see:

1. Servant identity

2. Faithfulness

3. Not a man-pleaser.

 

𝕀 ℂ𝕆ℝ𝕀ℕ𝕋ℍ𝕀𝔸ℕ𝕊 𝟝:𝟡-𝟙𝟘

"I wrote you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world."

We don't tolerate a sinning church member. Though we might have to tolerate a sinning neighbor who isn't a Christian.

We have to confront a Christian brother who lives in sin, but we might have to restrain ourselves from confronting non-Christians.

There's a different standard for church and another standard for the world.

I have no problem with my non-Christian friends who never know what the Bible says. I have a problem with my Christian friends who do not know what the Bible says.

Unfortunately, many professing Christians live exactly like the world, but God will be more tolerable to non-Christians than the namesake Christians on the day of Judgment!

Pratibha Patil, former president of India once said to the IITians that it's a crime for them to not be successful. To whom much is given, much will be required. If we are Christians, we need to cultivate spiritual disciplines, battle sins, and pursue righteousness. Or how great our fall will be when one day the storm and rain of life beats us!