How to Use Christian Freedom
"We are allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for us to do. "We are allowed to do all things," but not all things help others grow stronger. Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also. Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Do not ask questions about it. You may eat it, "because the earth belongs to the Lord, and everything in it." Thsoe who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions about it. But if anyone says to you, "That food was offered to idols," do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong. I don't mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience? If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God? The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. Never do anything that might hurt others--Jews, Greeks, or God's church--just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved. ~1 Corinthians 10:23-33~
In this passage, Paul talks about Christian ethics. How are we supposed to live as Christians? The answer is simple...anything we do should be done to build up others, but ultimately to give all the glory to God. Paul tells us three things: go beyond the law, glorify God, and finally live as Christians 24/7, 365 days a year! Wherever we are, whatever we're doing, live, so that we don't hinder the faith of another person, but we attract them to faith. No matter who it is, whether it be a christian, a non-christian, a religious person, an atheist...etc. we should not offend them in anyway by the ways of our lives, but if we offend them by telling them about the cross, then it's okay because they're not being offended by us, but by Jesus!
2009-02-23
2009-02-19
February 19, 2009 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
Live as God Called You ~1 Corinthians 7:17-24~
But in any case each one of you should continue to live the way God has given you to live--the way you were when God called you. This is a rule I make in all the churches. If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised. It is not important if a man is circumcised or not. The important thing is obeying God's commands. Each one of you should stay the way you were when God called you. If you were a slave when God called you, do not let that bother you. But if you can be free, then make good use of your freedom. Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ's slaves. You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sister, each of you should stay as you were when you were called, and stay there with God.
In this passage, Paul is speaking about living the life God has called us to. We all have our roles in life, but are they roles that God has given to us, or are we choosing the way to live for ourselves? We have been bought at a price by God, so we should live the way he tells us to. We are free to serve Christ in less than ideal circumstances. God wasn't too good to do anything, yet He's the creator and owner of everything, so we should have no shame to do those things brought upon us.
But in any case each one of you should continue to live the way God has given you to live--the way you were when God called you. This is a rule I make in all the churches. If a man was already circumcised when he was called, he should not undo his circumcision. If a man was without circumcision when he was called, he should not be circumcised. It is not important if a man is circumcised or not. The important thing is obeying God's commands. Each one of you should stay the way you were when God called you. If you were a slave when God called you, do not let that bother you. But if you can be free, then make good use of your freedom. Those who were slaves when the Lord called them are free persons who belong to the Lord. In the same way, those who were free when they were called are now Christ's slaves. You all were bought at a great price, so do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sister, each of you should stay as you were when you were called, and stay there with God.
In this passage, Paul is speaking about living the life God has called us to. We all have our roles in life, but are they roles that God has given to us, or are we choosing the way to live for ourselves? We have been bought at a price by God, so we should live the way he tells us to. We are free to serve Christ in less than ideal circumstances. God wasn't too good to do anything, yet He's the creator and owner of everything, so we should have no shame to do those things brought upon us.
2009-02-18
February 18, 2009 1 Corinthians 6:12-20
Use Your Bodies for God's Glory
"I am allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for me to do. "I am allowed to do all things," but I will not let anything make me its slave. "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food," but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and th eLord is for the body. By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! It is written in the Scriptures, "The two will become one body." So you should know that anyone who joins witha prostitute will become one body with the prostitute. But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:12-20~
So...I'm guessing the Corinthian Christians must have really struggled with sexual sin, because Paul keeps talking about it. I feel like it's similar to today...when we say "body," what do most people think of? So many are focused on the physical body, the sexual aspects of it, how appealing it is, if it's perfect, and etc. But as Christians, that shouldn't be our focus.
God made us in His image...our bodies are Holy, because God exists in our bodies. "One spirit with the Lord," that's what we should be aiming for. We have been given these bodies to honor God.
"I am allowed to do all things," but not all things are good for me to do. "I am allowed to do all things," but I will not let anything make me its slave. "Food is for the stomach, and the stomach for food," but God will destroy them both. The body is not for sexual sin but for the Lord, and th eLord is for the body. By his power God has raised the Lord from the dead and will also raise us from the dead. Surely you know that your bodies are parts of Christ himself. So I must never take the parts of Christ and join them to a prostitute! It is written in the Scriptures, "The two will become one body." So you should know that anyone who joins witha prostitute will become one body with the prostitute. But the one who joins with the Lord is one spirit with the Lord. So run away from sexual sin. Every other sin people do is outside their bodies, but those who sin sexually sin against their own bodies. You should know that your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit who is in you. You have received the Holy Spirit from God. So you do not belong to yourselves, because you were bought by God for a price. So honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:12-20~
So...I'm guessing the Corinthian Christians must have really struggled with sexual sin, because Paul keeps talking about it. I feel like it's similar to today...when we say "body," what do most people think of? So many are focused on the physical body, the sexual aspects of it, how appealing it is, if it's perfect, and etc. But as Christians, that shouldn't be our focus.
God made us in His image...our bodies are Holy, because God exists in our bodies. "One spirit with the Lord," that's what we should be aiming for. We have been given these bodies to honor God.
2009-02-17
February 17, 2009 1 Corinthians 5
Wickedness in the Church ~1 Corinthians 5~
It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father's wife. And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness so that the man who did this should be put out of your group. I am not there with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. And I have already judged the man who did that sin as if I were really there. When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will b esaved on the day of the Lord. Your bragging is not good. You kno the saying, "Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise." Takle out all the old yeast so that you will be a new batch of dough without yeast, which you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate this feast, but not with the bread that has the old yeast--the yeast of sin and wickedness. Let us celebrate this feast with the bread that has no yeast--the bread of goodness and truth. I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with you those who sin sexually. But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world. I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that. It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church. God will judge them. But you must judge the people who are part of the church. The Scripture says, "You must get rid of the evil person among you."
In this passage, Paul is talking about the sinful/evil people within the church. The sin focused on in this chapter is sexual sin. Whether it be homosexuality, cheating, affairs, having a sexual relationship with your stepmother, or etc. These are all the things that Paul saw within the Corinthian church, and he was very displeased. Although he says he's not there in person to see these things happening, he still knows that these things should not be happeneing, so he's telling the Corinthian church to get rid of these sins. Before Paul had mentioned it to them, the Corinthian church did not see this as a big sin, rather, they were pretty careless about this sin. They thought of it as, look, we're accepting and loving this brother who is doing such sin.
Paul teaches them that they're showing love in the wrong way. They shouldn't tolerate with these kinds of actions. Instead, they should be trying to fix the problem. Instead of judging those who aren't christians, expecting them to do the right things, we should focus on those who are already christians. Those within the church who are bringing such actions to the church...we need to fix that first.
It is actually being said that there is sexual sin among you. And it is a kind that does not happen even among people who do not know God. A man there has his father's wife. And you are proud! You should have been filled with sadness so that the man who did this should be put out of your group. I am not there with you in person, but I am with you in spirit. And I have already judged the man who did that sin as if I were really there. When you meet together in the name of our Lord Jesus, and I meet with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus, then hand this man over to Satan. So his sinful self will be destroyed, and his spirit will b esaved on the day of the Lord. Your bragging is not good. You kno the saying, "Just a little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise." Takle out all the old yeast so that you will be a new batch of dough without yeast, which you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. So let us celebrate this feast, but not with the bread that has the old yeast--the yeast of sin and wickedness. Let us celebrate this feast with the bread that has no yeast--the bread of goodness and truth. I wrote you in my earlier letter not to associate with you those who sin sexually. But I did not mean you should not associate with those of this world who sin sexually, or with the greedy, or robbers, or those who worship idols. To get away from them you would have to leave this world. I am writing to tell you that you must not associate with those who call themselves believers in Christ but who sin sexually, or are greedy, or worship idols, or abuse others with words, or get drunk, or cheat people. Do not even eat with people like that. It is not my business to judge those who are not part of the church. God will judge them. But you must judge the people who are part of the church. The Scripture says, "You must get rid of the evil person among you."
In this passage, Paul is talking about the sinful/evil people within the church. The sin focused on in this chapter is sexual sin. Whether it be homosexuality, cheating, affairs, having a sexual relationship with your stepmother, or etc. These are all the things that Paul saw within the Corinthian church, and he was very displeased. Although he says he's not there in person to see these things happening, he still knows that these things should not be happeneing, so he's telling the Corinthian church to get rid of these sins. Before Paul had mentioned it to them, the Corinthian church did not see this as a big sin, rather, they were pretty careless about this sin. They thought of it as, look, we're accepting and loving this brother who is doing such sin.
Paul teaches them that they're showing love in the wrong way. They shouldn't tolerate with these kinds of actions. Instead, they should be trying to fix the problem. Instead of judging those who aren't christians, expecting them to do the right things, we should focus on those who are already christians. Those within the church who are bringing such actions to the church...we need to fix that first.
2009-02-16
February 16, 2009 1 Corinthians 4
Apostles Are Servants of Christ ~1 Corinthians 4~
Too long to type it all, look it up!
This passage is Paul explaining to the Corinthian christians that apostles are servants of God. God has displayed the apostles so low, whereas the Corinthian christians were so "puffed up," in other words, full of pride, being full, with riches, reigning as royalty. Paul uses sarcasm to get the Corinthian christians to realize their pride, and that they should get rid of all that pride because they haven't done anything, God has. Everything they have, who they are, everything, everything around them, they're all God's works.
Throuhgout the passage, Paul compares the Corinthian Christians to the apostels, using sarcasm to contrast the difference between them. Most of all, the issue Corinthian Christians had was pride. Those christians thought they were better than anyone...especially the apostles. They had so much pride that they wanted to avoid humiliation and deprivation.
Today, people are so caught up in worldly success, in power, in wealth, in professions, and etc. That is just what the Corinthian christians were like and Paul had to teach them to not be like that. Also, when we listen to pastors these days, a lot of people are quick to judge the pastor on behalf of how comical, or how enthusiastic, or how interesting he/she is, but that shouldn't be it. The focus should be on the word itself. We need to becareful that we don't "think beyond what is written."
In the end, Paul is aware that the Corinthian christians are ashamed of themselves because Paul had pointed out all these things, but Paul's intentions were not to ashame them, but to warn them. Paul knows that these christians aren't too fond of him, but he says, " I urge you, imitate me." When they hear this, they are quick to disagree because Paul's reputation is so bad, but the way he lives is pleasing to God. That is why Paul tells them to imitate him...because he is regarded as a fool, weakling, all the more glory to God, and that glory shines through him.
We need to be aware of who we are...especially with so many things in this world, even the gifts God has given us, we need to use them for His glory, and not to bring praise to ourselves. All that does is bring pride upon ourselves, which is what we should not do. Paul says that he can't even judge himself, because he is still unaware of who he, himself is...He knows that his righteousness came from God, and not from himself. We say that we need to live like Jesus Christ, but I believe that a lot of us still aren't even able to live like Paul...
Too long to type it all, look it up!
This passage is Paul explaining to the Corinthian christians that apostles are servants of God. God has displayed the apostles so low, whereas the Corinthian christians were so "puffed up," in other words, full of pride, being full, with riches, reigning as royalty. Paul uses sarcasm to get the Corinthian christians to realize their pride, and that they should get rid of all that pride because they haven't done anything, God has. Everything they have, who they are, everything, everything around them, they're all God's works.
Throuhgout the passage, Paul compares the Corinthian Christians to the apostels, using sarcasm to contrast the difference between them. Most of all, the issue Corinthian Christians had was pride. Those christians thought they were better than anyone...especially the apostles. They had so much pride that they wanted to avoid humiliation and deprivation.
Today, people are so caught up in worldly success, in power, in wealth, in professions, and etc. That is just what the Corinthian christians were like and Paul had to teach them to not be like that. Also, when we listen to pastors these days, a lot of people are quick to judge the pastor on behalf of how comical, or how enthusiastic, or how interesting he/she is, but that shouldn't be it. The focus should be on the word itself. We need to becareful that we don't "think beyond what is written."
In the end, Paul is aware that the Corinthian christians are ashamed of themselves because Paul had pointed out all these things, but Paul's intentions were not to ashame them, but to warn them. Paul knows that these christians aren't too fond of him, but he says, " I urge you, imitate me." When they hear this, they are quick to disagree because Paul's reputation is so bad, but the way he lives is pleasing to God. That is why Paul tells them to imitate him...because he is regarded as a fool, weakling, all the more glory to God, and that glory shines through him.
We need to be aware of who we are...especially with so many things in this world, even the gifts God has given us, we need to use them for His glory, and not to bring praise to ourselves. All that does is bring pride upon ourselves, which is what we should not do. Paul says that he can't even judge himself, because he is still unaware of who he, himself is...He knows that his righteousness came from God, and not from himself. We say that we need to live like Jesus Christ, but I believe that a lot of us still aren't even able to live like Paul...
2009-02-14
February 14, 2009 1 Corinthians 3
Following People Is Wrong ~1 Corinthians 3~
(LOOK IT UP, TOO LONG TO TYPE)
So...recently, the passages I have been doing my blogs on are all about wisdom. Nevertheless, this passage is also about wisdom. "the world, life, death, the present, and the future--all these belong to you. And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God," hence everything, everyone belongs to God.
The beginning part of this passage starts out with Paul talking to the church of Corinth...he says that they are still young, that they can only consume liquids, like a baby, and not solid foods, like an adult. They are still spiritually very young, and this is becuase they give into their own wisdom. They get jealous, they fight, they act like people of the world. They pick and fight over 'Apollos' and 'Paul', but the point is that neither of them matter. They are just people whom God has appointed to do certain things, just like each one of us. In the end, it is all for His kingdom, "We are God's workers, working together; you arel ike God's farm, God's house." We need to use the gifts God gave us in order to do His will and further His kingdom, He did not give us these gifts so that we may praise ourselves, or seek praise for ourselves because we have such wisdom.
If we believe we are wise in this world, we need to become fools so that we may truly be wise..."foolishness with God." God knows what we think, what we know, He knows all things. To Him, the things we know are nothing, because He is so wise, so...instead of bragging about those human leaders who know nothing compared to God, why don't we just brag about God, who knows all things? That is the message!
(LOOK IT UP, TOO LONG TO TYPE)
So...recently, the passages I have been doing my blogs on are all about wisdom. Nevertheless, this passage is also about wisdom. "the world, life, death, the present, and the future--all these belong to you. And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God," hence everything, everyone belongs to God.
The beginning part of this passage starts out with Paul talking to the church of Corinth...he says that they are still young, that they can only consume liquids, like a baby, and not solid foods, like an adult. They are still spiritually very young, and this is becuase they give into their own wisdom. They get jealous, they fight, they act like people of the world. They pick and fight over 'Apollos' and 'Paul', but the point is that neither of them matter. They are just people whom God has appointed to do certain things, just like each one of us. In the end, it is all for His kingdom, "We are God's workers, working together; you arel ike God's farm, God's house." We need to use the gifts God gave us in order to do His will and further His kingdom, He did not give us these gifts so that we may praise ourselves, or seek praise for ourselves because we have such wisdom.
If we believe we are wise in this world, we need to become fools so that we may truly be wise..."foolishness with God." God knows what we think, what we know, He knows all things. To Him, the things we know are nothing, because He is so wise, so...instead of bragging about those human leaders who know nothing compared to God, why don't we just brag about God, who knows all things? That is the message!
2009-02-13
February 13, 2009 1 Corinthians 2:6-16
GAHHHH!!!!!!!!! It's Friday the 13th...and then...HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! ♡♥♡
God's Wisdom ~1 Corinthians 2:6-16~
However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. I speak God's secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. Before the world began, God planned this wisdom for our glory. None of the rulers of this world understood it. If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written in the Scriptures: "No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit searches out all things, even the deep secrets of God. Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person's spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit that is from God so that we can know all about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom but with words taught us by the Spirit. And so we explain spiritual truths to spiritual people. A person who does not have the Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish and cannot understand them, because they can only be judged to be true by the Spirit. The spiritual person is able to judge all things, but no one can judge him. The Scripture says: "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been able to teach him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
"No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." What is this? It's God's wisdom! Only through the Spirit may we see these. But if we are caught up in our own foolishness...in human wisdom, we will not be able to see these things because we are neglecting the Spirit of God.
We need to have the mind of Christ in order to know these things...christian wisdom. The difference between christian wisdom and wisdom of the world is that: christian wisdom is the gospel, while wisdom of the world is society, belief systems, world view. That is why it states, "But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world." The rulers did not know/understand the wisdom of God, that is why Jesus Christ had to be crucified.
We need to look back onto our lives...what do we consider wisdom? Are we stuck on believing the things of this world, or are we devoted to the wisdom of Christ, the gospel?
God's Wisdom ~1 Corinthians 2:6-16~
However, I speak a wisdom to those who are mature. But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world, who are losing their power. I speak God's secret wisdom, which he has kept hidden. Before the world began, God planned this wisdom for our glory. None of the rulers of this world understood it. If they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written in the Scriptures: "No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But God has shown us these things through the Spirit. The Spirit searches out all things, even the deep secrets of God. Who knows the thoughts that another person has? Only a person's spirit that lives within him knows his thoughts. It is the same with God. No one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we did not receive the spirit of the world, but we received the Spirit that is from God so that we can know all about these things, not with words taught us by human wisdom but with words taught us by the Spirit. And so we explain spiritual truths to spiritual people. A person who does not have the Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish and cannot understand them, because they can only be judged to be true by the Spirit. The spiritual person is able to judge all things, but no one can judge him. The Scripture says: "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Who has been able to teach him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
"No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." What is this? It's God's wisdom! Only through the Spirit may we see these. But if we are caught up in our own foolishness...in human wisdom, we will not be able to see these things because we are neglecting the Spirit of God.
We need to have the mind of Christ in order to know these things...christian wisdom. The difference between christian wisdom and wisdom of the world is that: christian wisdom is the gospel, while wisdom of the world is society, belief systems, world view. That is why it states, "But this wisdom is not from this world or from the rulers of this world." The rulers did not know/understand the wisdom of God, that is why Jesus Christ had to be crucified.
We need to look back onto our lives...what do we consider wisdom? Are we stuck on believing the things of this world, or are we devoted to the wisdom of Christ, the gospel?
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