1 Corinthians 7:1-24 – All About Sex

Read 1 Corinthians 7:1-24

This is one of those passages we may need to read several times. After sharing all the wisdom Paul thought the Corinthians needed, Paul now pivots and seems to be answering what was really on people’s minds. They wanted clarity on sex, and Paul points toward marriage and relationships. We should want to know the holy plan for relationships, too, even if it’s hard to hear.

If you’re in a happy marriage, Paul’s words sting a little less. The part about fulfilling each other’s sexual needs should be a no-brainer. When you love your spouse, you want nothing more than to please them and bring them joy. God knew that the beauty of sharing our bodies during sex would be a special bond for a couple. As believers, we appreciate sex as a gift from God. Too many times, selfishness gets in the way of being able to fulfill these needs. Paul wanted to take that excuse off the table. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 7:1-24 – All About Sex”

1 Corinthians 6:1-20 – What to Avoid

Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-20

Entrance to the Kingdom of God has some requirements. They are not impossible to attain, and it helps to know what’s expected. Paul is addressing some pressing issues facing the young church in Corinth. You could say similar issues are still on the minds of people living in our cultures today. Paul’s counsel is quite clear.

In light of what we’re being told to avoid, reflect on this. “You say, ‘I am allowed to do anything ‘—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am allowed to do anything,’ I must not become a slave to anything.” How true is that! Most of us can identify with what it feels like to be able to do “anything.” We can choose to wake up when we want, when we don’t have to go to work. We can walk in the rain if we don’t care about getting wet. We can eat popcorn and ice cream for dinner, if we don’t have a parent glaring at us. As Paul says, some of those things we choose to do aren’t always good for us. We need to make wise choices. Continue reading “1 Corinthians 6:1-20 – What to Avoid”

1 Corinthians 5:1-13 – Purity of Community

Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-13

If you’ve never been a ministry leader who had to make the hard call of letting another leader go from serving because of their unrepentant sin, it’s harder than you might imagine. What Paul is asking the church to do here, while Biblical, is not at all easy. Relationships are at stake. But so are salvation and allegiance to the truth. There is a reason that Scripture prescribes this type of purging in our fellowship of believers.

Paul uses the perfect example for his day when he refers to yeast. Bread would have been a huge staple in their diets, and the use of yeast and understanding of how it expands the dough would be clear. You wouldn’t want tainted yeast to infest your batch of bread, so why would you want an unrepentant sinner to be part of your circle of faithful ones? Continue reading “1 Corinthians 5:1-13 – Purity of Community”

1 Corinthians 4:1-21 – Being Real

Read 1 Corinthians 4:1-21

What do you make of this section of Paul’s letter? There are some good nuggets to reflect on, but basically, I feel like I have just read a weary, heartfelt cry with a little sadness thrown in. Paul said he didn’t want them to feel shame for his situation, but he was certainly being real with them.

Do you think that your spiritual leaders are being real with you? For instance, when you hear your pastor preach, is he getting up close and personal, sharing his life experiences and baring his soul like Paul did to the church in Corinth? Continue reading “1 Corinthians 4:1-21 – Being Real”

1 Corinthians 3:1-23 – Who Do You Look Up To?

Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-23

Did you ever think as a child, “When I grow up, I want to be just like them?” Even as adults, we tend to admire people who emulate characteristics we have or wish we had. I’ve often dreamed of what it would be like to be a famous worship leader and can only imagine what it would be like to be on stage with some of my favorites: Chris Tomlin, Amy Grant, or Phil Wickham.

While having a hero on earth seems to be natural, Paul warns us about it here. In his day, as more and more people were believing that salvation comes only from Jesus, they must have been confusing the message with the messenger. Rather than focus our trust on humans, it is good counsel to pay more attention and give our allegiance to Jesus. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is “the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.” Continue reading “1 Corinthians 3:1-23 – Who Do You Look Up To?”

error

Enjoy this blog? Please spread the word :)