October 28, 2024
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 Numbers and 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 3 (NIV)
The Church and Its Leaders
1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly.……Continue Reading
Reading this chapter made me think of humility and the heart in which we serve God. If He is the foundation, and the example set was Jesus, then we are building on that example. We are not to look to men for all the answers but to God. We do learn from each other and there is importance in leadership, instruction, and discipleship but the reference point must always be Christ. We need the Holy Spirit to help us discern among all the things that we hear and take in. Man can be motivated by the wrong things and therefore lead people the wrong way. Just because someone is doing much service or has a prestigious position if they are doing it with the wrong heart and it is clear as Paul says here that when tested we will know what is truly of God and what will just burn away in the fire. It is always in our response to the trials of life when our true faith is revealed.
1 Corinthians 3
Timely for this season huh? “So then, no more boasting about human leaders.” A gentle reminder.
1 Corinthians 3
”Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”“
I Corinthians 3:18-20 NKJV
I think “wisdom”, worldly wisdom, has infiltrated some churches’ beliefs and practices. Elevating science, experts, doctors, lawyers, politicians, popularity, false logic and teachers. receiving guidance from these is often contrary to God’s wisdom and guidance.
Well said Kelly! It should always be about Christ and His glory and not about ourselves. In the end God tests our motives and sees what is left. He has given each one us spiritual gifts but not only that but there are times when we can help a fellow believer. What do we do? Do we decide to help them like the good Samaritan or do we pass by and pretend we didn`t see a person in need? Thanks to everyone that has helped Melodye and myself in our church. With fixing things and then coming over today to clear the attic and things in the basement. It is greatly appreciated! You know who you are. God knows your heart and I am sure that you made Him simile. God bless.
Certain behaviors are indicators of immaturity and being more fleshly. When we focus more on the things of the world, and argue and quarrel over secondary things, we show that we are really missing the point. Because the point is Jesus and He is the One who deserves all the glory and the focus of our lives. Compromising relationship based in a person we are following over another, or an opinion we have over a secondary doctrine defies the reality that everything flows from the person and the provision of Jesus. And if we agree on that foundation, then it doesn’t matter what role we play in the work of the kingdom. We all play our part. In the things we do, though, we need to make sure that they are based in Christ and His power and provision. If what we offer God is based on us, that is the stuff that will burn. We will still be saved and go to heaven, but we will not receive a reward for our efforts. And this focus on Christ and the unity it brings that treats people better than they deserve is all part of the wisdom that comes from God. The wisdom of the world promotes self and our opinion. But the best thing we can do is grow in God’s wisdom and value and work with people that have a different opinion than us. Because we together are God’s temple and God’s Spirit is in and amongst us. We destroy that temple when we divide from people and destroy relationship based in human opinion.
1Corinthians 3
Let us be careful to not be deceived. We are wise not of ourselves but only in the fact that we have the Holy Spirit and Christ is in us. God has given us every good thing out of his grace and mercy. We are his children who will inherit his kingdom because of our faith and belief in his Son, Jesus Christ. Let us rememeber that our strength, power, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, etc. comes from HIM, not from ourselves. So give HIM all the glory and praise. For He is worthy of it!