November 26, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 6 (NIV)
Lawsuits Among Believers
1 If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people? 2 Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church?..........Continue Reading
I grew up hearing this verse “your body is a temple” it was always important to me that I had my individuality but I also knew my appearance was important to God. How we present ourselves is the way people perceive us and there can be times where we can be misunderstood based on our appearance depending on what we choose to put out their. I have tattoos but does that mean I am a criminal…of course not because I do not engage in activity like that even if someone perceives tattooed people in a negative light.
The argue of inappropriate clothing and sexual immorality is a tough one because while I believe people should wear what makes them comfortable, there needs to be a standard in which we can expect people to be covered . There are many ways to express oneself respectfully keeping a standard of appropriateness for ALL the other people you come in contact with; young, old, male, female.
Bottom line is we make choices on our behavior far beyond just what we look like. God is concerned both about what we look and act like. A desire to put out such a sexual perception of ourselves begs the question of what reaction we are looking to get and why? Beauty does not have to be overtly sexual and beauty from the inside is unmistakable based on our behavior!
1 Corinthians 6
1 Corinthians 6
We have the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ. Why would we need an unbeliever to judge our disputes. Certainly they are not sensitive to our thinking. We who are going to judge the world and angels should take care of our own differences. Without looking to gain anything personally. But to do the will of God. In this country we have played God and decided what lifestyle is permissible. Thank God for his truth that we abide by. I’ve been in enough discussions about sexual lifestyles. I’ve seen what destruction happens to someone who lives a lifestyle that is opposite of what Gods desire for us is. Huge subject that would take a while to write. I know of 2 men who have homosexual tendencies. But they are Christian men and for years have been married. Pushing aside their desires and following what God says is correct. To those men I tip my hat. They are winning the battle every day for years!!
1 Corinthians 6
Well Paul certainly gives them an earful in this chapter, and rightly so. God offers us so much in relationships we should be able to manage conflict in all matters without turning to the world and it’s judicial system, especially when it comes to matters within the church. And what a further encouragement to make things right is the input that it is better to be wronged and taken advantage of then to cause harm in a relationship. It is something to think about when tempted to hold on to pride or reputation. Paul then speaks about all the kind of behaviors that are inconsistent with a believer and with heaven, but then says that that is what they were. Isn’t it nice that we are defined by Christ rather than past behavior? And it is only when such wrong behavior defines us that it has the ability to keep us from heaven. But Paul ultimately encourages them in what they are in Christ so that will result in doing what is right.
In the next portion Paul has a discussion with a typical Corinthian and thereby puts words in their mouth. Everything in quotes is from this proposed representative. And then Paul gives his response to them. Everything is permissible for me….is hypothetically from them….but then Paul says, but not everything is beneficial as well as we shouldn’t be mastered by anything. It is a good way to evaluate issues the Bible may not address directly….is it beneficial and is it controlling me? And nothing is more destructive and potentially controlling than sexual immorality….and the Bible is very specific in its instructions and warnings against it. The reality that God is within us is a point of reflection and conviction as to where we would bring Him. And if that weren’t enough, the destructive nature of sexual sin is also highlighted. We harm ourselves as we participate in it. Fleeing from it, running away is the best answer, and very much needed in a world that is very much running towards it and are being destroyed in the process…..
Chapter 5 :12 regarding judging others, Thinking is hard, that’s why most people judge.
And treating our bodies like a temple- if we were more conscientious about following this rule, I’d suspect most maladies would be eliminated
First Corinthians, is really about common sense
“No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.”
Jesus washes and sanctifies us.
I fear that though instead of these being things that we “were” these are things that our children are becoming and embracing. How do we show/tell/exhort them that they are being deceived? “Homosexual believers”, “Christian extortionists” , “Christians fornicators” is not a thing. You are one or you are the other.