We, like the believers in Corinth nearly 2000 years ago, can come to treasure the standards of our own world over God's standard. We sometimes evaluate motivations and choices based on common sense, not only biblical direction.
Sometimes the Bible can seem foolish.
Paul wrote something that applies to us as well: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength."(1 Cor 1:25)
God's ways may not always make sense to us but that may be the point. His ways are above ours, different from ours, and higher than ours. He is different from us and superior to us. His ways may not always make sense but they are wise and they are strong.
We walk that path by faith.
Showing posts with label 1 Cor 1. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1 Cor 1. Show all posts
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Divisions
Paul, in writing to the churchin Corinth, was responding to questions the young church had sent to him - and also to reports he had gotten about the church.
The first problem he addressed probably came from those reports rather than the church's own awareness of its issues.
The problem? Division.
Paul addressed it in 1 Cor 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
In asking the church to agree, he wasn't requesting they become like the Borg in the Star Trek series: mindless cogs in a common organism. He made it clear later that he treasured their unique gifts from God.
But they were arguing among themselves over which teacher to follow. They had developed their own fan clubs within the church. Some collected sports cards, so to speak, for Paul and some for Apollos and some for Cephas.
And their criteria for choosing their personal celebrity was based on the world's criteria. Which was most eloquent? Which spoke with the wisdom treasured by the world around them?
So Paul wrote to remind them that, because they were in Christ, the world's measure should not affect them. They were not to boast in wisdom of the world, but in God.
The first problem he addressed probably came from those reports rather than the church's own awareness of its issues.
The problem? Division.
Paul addressed it in 1 Cor 1:10: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought."
In asking the church to agree, he wasn't requesting they become like the Borg in the Star Trek series: mindless cogs in a common organism. He made it clear later that he treasured their unique gifts from God.
But they were arguing among themselves over which teacher to follow. They had developed their own fan clubs within the church. Some collected sports cards, so to speak, for Paul and some for Apollos and some for Cephas.
And their criteria for choosing their personal celebrity was based on the world's criteria. Which was most eloquent? Which spoke with the wisdom treasured by the world around them?
So Paul wrote to remind them that, because they were in Christ, the world's measure should not affect them. They were not to boast in wisdom of the world, but in God.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Countercultural
How to live out this new faith they had embraced? The believers in Corinth had written to Paul asking for specific advice, but Paul first addressed the basics.
The believers didn't appear to be too inconvenienced by their new faith. They didn't seem to be getting any ostracism from the community around them and they didn't appear to be wrestling with any realignment of values.
They seemed to be doing to the Christian faith what others had done with many religions over the years: adding it into the mix of religious teachings. The believers were not very countercultural and Paul addressed that.
He pointed out in 1 Cor 1 that there should not be divisions in the church. The people in the church were choosing which teacher to follow. Should they follow Paul or Apollos or Cephas or....
They were using the wisdom of the world to make decisions within their church and Paul rebuked that idea sharply. He wanted their focus not to be on celebrity preachers but on God, His calling and His wisdom.
This was countercultural, guaranteeing the Christians in Corinth would be different than the culture around them. But, for Paul, the culture was empty. His focus was Christ.
As he said in 1 Cor 1:25, if you're going to boast, boast in the Lord!
The believers didn't appear to be too inconvenienced by their new faith. They didn't seem to be getting any ostracism from the community around them and they didn't appear to be wrestling with any realignment of values.
They seemed to be doing to the Christian faith what others had done with many religions over the years: adding it into the mix of religious teachings. The believers were not very countercultural and Paul addressed that.
He pointed out in 1 Cor 1 that there should not be divisions in the church. The people in the church were choosing which teacher to follow. Should they follow Paul or Apollos or Cephas or....
They were using the wisdom of the world to make decisions within their church and Paul rebuked that idea sharply. He wanted their focus not to be on celebrity preachers but on God, His calling and His wisdom.
This was countercultural, guaranteeing the Christians in Corinth would be different than the culture around them. But, for Paul, the culture was empty. His focus was Christ.
As he said in 1 Cor 1:25, if you're going to boast, boast in the Lord!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Holy
Paul opens his letter to the church in Corinth with a description of the Corinthians. Surprisingly, because there is a lot of rebuke in the letter, he calls them holy.
Actually, in the original Greek, he used the word hagios, which can be translated as holy, or set apart. He was reminding the believers that they were set apart for a divine purpose.
And he was reminding them that they couldn't earn this or attain it: it was the state that God called them to. God called them to hagios, or holiness, not to be absorbed by their culture.
And he makes an interesting point: they are what they are called. They are called as saints and so that is what they are.
We, too, have this same calling: to be hagios, or set apart for God's purpose. It was a challenge for the believers in Corinth and it's a challenge for us today. But Paul skillfully defends his position throughout the book of 1 Corinthians.
Actually, in the original Greek, he used the word hagios, which can be translated as holy, or set apart. He was reminding the believers that they were set apart for a divine purpose.
And he was reminding them that they couldn't earn this or attain it: it was the state that God called them to. God called them to hagios, or holiness, not to be absorbed by their culture.
And he makes an interesting point: they are what they are called. They are called as saints and so that is what they are.
We, too, have this same calling: to be hagios, or set apart for God's purpose. It was a challenge for the believers in Corinth and it's a challenge for us today. But Paul skillfully defends his position throughout the book of 1 Corinthians.
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