Tag: 1 Corinthians

Categories
Daily Post

An Example to Follow

As a follow-up on yesterday’s post about seeking the good of others,  take a peek at the concluding words written in that same section of the letter to the Corinthians.

31 The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Never do anything that might hurt others—Jews, Greeks, or God’s church— 33 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. 11 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ. 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 (NCV)

There it is.  Do everything for God’s glory, and follow the example of the writer, Paul, who is following the example of The Christ.  You remember him? He’s the one who left heaven and come down to the Earth and became a man.  Sort of a humbling experience I would imagine!

Let us be free!  And let us bring glory to the Creator!  and let us follow in his footsteps and seek others!

Categories
Daily Post

Giving up Freedom

One of my favorite passages in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 10:23

Everything is Permissible

I mean, what’s not to love there!  That frees us from so much of the bondage of the make up do’s and don’ts that we wrap ourselves up in.  This type of freedom, is really unimaginable, especially considering the traditional and political-correct  boundaries that strip us from freedom.

But of course, that sort of freedom really requires some sort of guidelines – doesn’t it?  That is what the rest of the verse does, as it bounds the freedom of the grounds of positive benefit.

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive (NIV)

That’s good advice.

However, I  find the next verse to actually be the thing that binds up the freedom in a way that is even more of a challenge.

24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.

Hm.. there’s that concept of good again, and not just mine, or being good, but others good.  Not mine but yours. That’s the challenge.  Look at the way the New Century Version words this, it’s even more plain and straightforward

23 “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. 24 Do not look out only for yourselves. Look out for the good of others also.

Are we willing to give up our freedom for the good of others – to help them and make them stronger?

 

 

 

 

Categories
Daily Post

Free From Being the Judge

I rediscovered this verse recently and found it both overwhelmingly scary and totally freeing.

So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness, and will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will praise each one of them. (1 Corinthians 4:5 NCV)

It scares me when I think about the purpose of my heart – and whether I have purposes and darkness there that one day may be involuntary exposed. It scares me to action – to consider change, and to make sure the purpose of my heart is one that I want others to see.

And if the results of that change would not be freeing enough, the second thought in the verse is incredibly  freeing. I don’t have to judge people. I don’t have to expose them, I don’t have to worry about what they are doing that may not be correct. I just need teach, love and treat others with respect. God will take care of the judging!

So today, Be free from judging others, and maybe take a moment to think about how you might be judged?

 

Categories
Daily Post

What Would They Like?

I saw this question somewhere several months ago, and I rediscovered this morning, as I was looking through some old notes.  I don’t believe I shared it before, but if I did, it’s probably worth a second thought.

If people thought Jesus was like you, what would they like about Jesus?
What do you think?  We are to reflect the spirit of our leader.  Do we?
Remember these words from the writer Paul today:

11 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.  1 Corinthians 11:1 New International Version (NIV)

Categories
Daily Post

Arky Arky, Gophey Barky

I woke up singing a good old spiritual/children’s song this morning.  Join in if you know it.

Rise and shine and give God the glory glory,

Rise and shine and give God the glory glory,

Rise! and Shine and Give God the glory glory,

Children of the Lord.

If you don’t remember this song, maybe this little clip from the old movie Green Pastures will remind you.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ESV 1 Corinthians 10:31

I hope this song stays in your mind all day, and you live it out.

 

There’s going to be a floody floody…