Monthly Archives: August 2013

1 Corinthians 12-13

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As individuals, we are all members of the one body of Christ. “God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose“.  As part of the same body, Paul exhorts us “that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.“

As part of the body of Christ, there is something far greater than the various gifts of the holy spirit that the Corinthians placed in such high regard, which Paul goes on to describe as love. “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”  Love is an active demonstration of the way we manifest God’s character. Jesus showed us the greatest form of love in his sacrifice, and as imitators of Jesus, showing love must also be our goal.

Jeremiah 51, 1 Corinthians 11

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1 Corinthians 11. We hear it quoted nearly every Sunday. “Be imitators of Paul, as he is of Christ“, and “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”  The idea of examining ourselves is critical to living a life acceptable to God.  We need to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only“, not ignoring the natural face we see in the mirror but changing it to reflect God’s character. Paul also stresses the importance of unity, and that Christ is our head.

The lack of self examination is the reason Israel struggled so much to serve God, focused instead on being like the nations around them instead of looking inwards, to the tabernacle and the glory of God it represented. Yet God through Jeremiah still says “For Israel and Judah have not been forsaken by their God, the Lord of hosts.”  There is always hope. The one “who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom, and by his understanding stretched out the heavens” has power to both bring judgement on nations such as Babylon, but also power to forgive those that turn to Him.

Jeremiah 50

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Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of the nations that have been oppressing Israel, Babylon and Assyria. “Repay her according to her deeds; do to her according to all that she has done.”  These nations had been given the chance to punish Israel for their disobedience, but had gone too far.  “All who took them captive have held them fast; they refuse to let them go. Their redeemer is strong; the Lord of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth.“

Even though the people of Judah and Israel were being punished, God still cared for them, took an active role in protecting them.  Through Jeremiah, God reminds the Israelites that He is in control, that He is unique and all powerful, and that even though they had “sinned against the Lord”, they would in future say “Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten”, and for this reason God had mercy on them.

This is a great example of God’s long-suffering and mercy, and reminds us that God is always in control, waiting for us to return to Him so that He can work with us to shape our lives.

1 Corinthians 8-9

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Paul reminds us that we are running a race, but one very different to the races his readers were used to. The race we run is not for a perishable wreath, but an imperishable one. Although the first place has already been won by Jesus, everyone that makes progress in this race is counted as a winner.  This race requires one to run with direction and purpose, not aimlessly like a boxer punching the air.

This is a race that Paul wanted everyone to win, making himself a servant to all, that “by all means I might save some“.  Like Paul, helping others along the way is a critical part of running our race. Stopping along the way to spend time with those in need, or who have stumbled, is as much the point of the race as progressing towards the finish line. “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.“

Jeremiah 48, 1 Corinthians 7

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God condemns Moab for their attitude and actions. They trusted in their works and treasures, famous for their pride and arrogance, magnifying themselves against God and trusting in their idol Chemosh.  Despite being descended from Lot, and God saying “I cry out for all Moab”, they were judged because of their actions. A reminder for us that salvation is not based on family or opportunity to serve God, but rather our own individual attitude and actions.

Paul reminds us that we are “bought with a price”, and that our objective is, as much as possible, to live a life of “undivided devotion to the Lord.” Although spouse, family, neighbours and friends are important, we belong to God and as such He must come first in our life.

1 Kings 19, 1 Corinthians 4-5

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Paul exhorts his readers to be imitators of him, just as child in the faith Timothy was.  Timothy was sent to the Corinthians to remind them of Paul’s ways in Christ, because Paul could not be there himself.  They were servants of Christ, and were meant to be faithful “stewards of the mysteries of God.”

Timothy meekly led by his example, and as such was like the still small voice that educated Elijah. God wasn’t in the impressive acts of power shown by the wind, earthquake or fire. Similarly our example to those around us needs to be one of gentle adherence to the same principles by which Paul and Timothy lived, that we too can be described as Paul’s “beloved and faithful child in the Lord”.

1 Kings 18, 1 Corinthians 3

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In 1 Kings 18 we read of the contrast between Baal and the true God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel. In such a direct confrontation it’s easy to see who is the true God and who is the fake god.  The true God listens to those that call on His name, controls fire and rain, whereas the idol can do none of those things. In day to day life though, it is much more subtle to determine whether we are really serving God or an idol, so this dramatic scene between Elijah and the rest of Israel also serves as a lesson for us to be sure we’re actively serving the real and living God.

Paul describes us as the temple of God, having God’s spirit dwelling in us. As a temple, we need to make sure we’re built on the right foundation, which is Jesus Christ. If we build on a foundation of earthly things, gold, silver, etc, Paul warns that under trial that foundation will collapse.

So let’s each examine our lives, ensure we’re serving the true God, and built on the solid foundation that is the life and work of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 1-2

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1 Corinthians reminds us of how blessed we are. “You are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will sustain you to the end.”  God has chosen us, the weak, the foolish, the low and despised, who have nothing to boast about in the presence of God, and offered us righteousness, sanctification and redemption.  We have hope of a future beyond our imaginations, “what no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.“

Jeremiah 42

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In Jeremiah 42, the remnant of Israelites still in the land come to Jeremiah, intreat him to pray to God on their behalf for guidance.  So Jeremiah prays to God, but doesn’t receive a response for 10 whole days. A good reminder that God rarely answers prayers straight away, that we need to have faith and patience that God has heard us and will answer our prayer in the way that is best for us.

The response from God is a great indication of God’s mercy. “If you remain in this land, then I will build you up and not pull you down…Do not fear the king of Babylon…for I am with you, to save you and to deliver you from his hand. I will grant you mercy”. Although these were not the faithful Israelites taken into captivity to be preserved, God still has mercy on them when they turn to Him. The same is true for us. “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.”

1 Kings 15, Mark 15

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The next king over Judah after Rehoboam died was his son, Abijam. His life was summarised as “his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father. Nevertheless, for David’s sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem.” This is an illustration of God’s mercy, that a king could reign over Judah for the sake of a promise made to David, a position not based on merit. Similarly, we are part of God’s household, despite our sins, through God’s mercy shown in the sacrifice of His son.

In Mark 15 we read of that sacrifice, of the humiliation and torture Jesus endured. But we also read of the inspiration that act gave to those around him. The centurion came to realise that Jesus was the son of God. Joseph of Arimathea made a public stand for his beliefs. So let us also be inspired by Jesus’ life and sacrifice, to make a stand for our beliefs, and help others realise the mercy of God.