The Way of Life in Christ

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE WAY OF LIFE IN CHRIST

1 Cor 4:14-17

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. 15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.

NIV

Although these words are of a personal nature, being about Paul’s warning them, there are a few truths we should glean for our lives. Of course, we do not think it would be good to imitate another man, although Paul is telling them they should do just that. This could be due to the fact there were so many voices out there and some of the men speaking about Christ may have had wrong motives looking to forward their  own lives by gaining followers for themselves. Times have not changed in that regard for there are even more voices claiming to speak about Jesus, although if we were to discern correctly, through the power of the Spirit. We would see their motive is to improve their own lifestyle on the backs of, out of the wallets of,  naive Christians. There is a way of life in Christ Jesus, and this is why Paul suggests they intimate him for he lives his way of life in Christ we also must believe that Timothy does as well for Paul is sending him to remind them of this way in Christ. Once again, we are reminded that we need to live the way of life in Christ Jesus. Should we recount all the ways that are? It would be difficult to list all the teachings of Jesus, but there are three ways in Christ that stand out. First, is this life of love, for God first loved us even while we were still sinners. Jesus loved us so much that he went to the cross for us, to take away our sins so that we are forgiven once and for all. Who can separate us from the love of God? Therefore, we love Christ above all others, loving God with our whole being. This then translates into also loving our neighbor as we love ourselves, which means never doing them any harm, but putting them above ourselves. This may be one of the most challenging ways of living in Christ because we all have our own personal agendas or desires that we would like to be doing. So to put another’s desires ahead of our own may be more difficult than we want to admit. The second way of living in Christ is living with faith. We would have to believe that Paul was a great man of faith, and that is why he is admonishing them to imitate him. He is sold out to Jesus and lives by faith. There is a big difference between living by faith and having faith in Jesus. All believers have that faith for their salvation, but then who do we trust for our daily bread? There are times when we need to be reminded of how to live in Christ, and how our life should be in Christ. There is this third way of having a life in Christ, and that is living as freed from the law. Paul takes a lot about that in many of his letters, and so a life in Christ is not about living according to the law, or rules and regulations, or by our good deeds, for all of those take us back to life under the works contract of the old covenant. Living in Christ is a life under the new covenant of the grace of God. Living the way of Christ is not about how much we do, but how much faith we have to trust him for everything in our lives. Does that mean we do not serve him? Absolutely not! We serve him out of our love for him and through our faith in him. Let us simply live the way of life in Christ.

 

Living in Humility

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

LIVING IN HUMILITY

1 Cor 4:8-13

8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings — and that without us! How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. 12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

NIV

Somewhat of a strange comment by Paul, and still, this is the inspired word of God. What do we garner from this? Could it be a form of irony that Paul is using to show how the church in Corinth was overconfident in its beliefs? He is contrasting them with himself and the other apostles who serve the Lord with all humility. It is dangerous to think more highly of ourselves than we should, to think that we are rich in worldly wisdom and in spiritual gifts. He tells them they have become kings, which means they think they are rich in worldly things, that is how kings live. But then Paul says that he wished they really were kings, which indicates a slam, telling them they are thinking they have it all,  and are not in need of his counsel. It is a warning against developing arrogance in being a believer in Christ. Paul says that he is weak, but they are strong, and yet Paul is the one who has the strength to endure living the way he does, being homeless in a sense, a nomad traveling the world, telling people about Jesus Christ crucified and of course, resurrected to be the living Lord. However, once again, the people of the church honor themselves, thinking have attained their fullness of spiritual understanding. Pride is an awful attitude to be burdened with. To continually announce achievements, both in the world and in religious matters. We will refrain from using spiritual matters, for pride nullifies spirituality and lifts up worldliness. Paul is showing us that the pure love of Christ brings us into complete humility, being, as it were, at the end of the procession, even looked down upon by men because we live as one who trusts in God for all things in our lives, and give God all the praise and honor for all that we do have, and whatever we do. There is no question Paul endured far more hardships than we will ever experience. But then the world was a different place than what we live in. Even those who travel the world spreading the message of Christ live far better than Paul did and again, times are different. Paul worked hard as a tent maker supporting his own needs while our missionaries depend on the support of others, and most pastors are paid for their service to God. It is dangerous to even contemplate any pride in our service to God, yet so many announce all their achievements to receive praise from men, while we should only be concerned about praise from God. If we look only for the praise of God, perhaps we might actually be able to live in humility. 

Receiving

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

RECEIVING

1 Cor 4:6-7

6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. 7 For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

NIV

 It is important that we do not take pride in any man, not just in one man over against another. Of course, Paul is still talking about how some wanted to take pride in him,  some in Apollos and some in Cephas. It is interesting that it seems this still happened today. There are people who think one preacher is so much better than another, especially when talking about those famous ones, who use the media to spread their message and are overachievers or very prolific writers, producing a plethora of books. However, the point Paul is making is that man is still man, no matter how much work someone produces, or what level of education, or financial success they have achieved. All of us are but sinners saved by the grace of God. Who can compare themselves to God? How can anyone say what they have that they did not receive it from God? All that we are, all that we have, and even all that we are able to do is a result of the work of God in our lives. This should put an end to all boasting about our supposed achievements as though they are a result of our great abilities. However, we should boast about what God has done in our lives. He should be getting all the credit for anything that we do or who we are because we have received it from the hand of God. There is no difference between any of us, in that sense, except there are those who do boast about themselves instead of boasting about what God has done for and in them. We cannot understand this type of thinking, but then again when we think of ourselves we have no abilities to boast about, we have no position in this world to boast about. We have no worldly success to boast about. In fact, we have nothing within ourselves that we can boast about. However, we can boast about how much God has done for us. We can boast about all that he has provided and continues to provide for us. We can boast of how he has always directed us, led us to places of work, of where we live, and to the specific place to fellowship in worship, along with working in our lives, giving us the gifts needed for our place of service within the body. It is God who has bestowed his gift or gifts in us, depending on how he determines, in the time and location he has brought us to, for the common good of those he has led us to be among. It is God who, through the power of the Spirit, manifests his fruit in our lives, to that others might come and enjoy that fruit, getting joy, peace, love, patience, kindness, or goodness from the Lord, through us. It is God who has created us for his pleasure, and to bring him glory. So who can boast in themselves when everything is from God, for we have received everything from God. 

Receiving Praise

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORTHINIANS

RECEIVING PRAISE

1 Cor 4:1-5

4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

NIV

As we will see most of what Paul has been talking about is regarding himself and Apollos, however, we still have been able to see truths that can apply to all of us believers. Is it not also true that we should regard ourselves as servants of Christ? Have we not been entrusted with the secret things of God? Because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us who reveals all the truth to us, then we would have to believe that God has not kept any secret from us. About judging, we know that we should not judge one another, but the fact is, we should not even judge ourselves. It does seem contradictory when Paul says that his conscience is clear, but that does not make him innocent. Because it is the Lord Jesus who judges him, it would also make sense that we are in the same position. We should not even judge ourselves. What is Jesus going to judge us for? It is not our sins, for he went to the cross taking all our sins, past, present and future, upon himself, that we might be forgiven, therefore our conscience is clear. There is a time coming when all men will stand before Jesus and give an account of themselves. But this account has nothing to do with any kind of work, whether they would be considered good works or bad works. If our works are to be judged, then it would nullify the grace of God, and return us to the work contract of the Old Testament. However, the exposing of the motives of men, will take place. Therefore, our motive is to serve the Lord, rather then ourselves. This becomes somewhat of a issue that needs to be examined. Surely, we must work and provide for our families’ needs. For the most part in this country that entails a home, car, clothing, and food. However, we also give ourselves many other conveniences of life that could be construed as self-serving. However, how do we serve the Lord? What is it that we consider as serving the Lord? Is it the work we do in church? If so, then we are back at work contract again. There is no question that our salvation is free, that we cannot earn it, work for it, or pay God back for it. But then what constitutes serving him, if it is not by our works? We think that first and foremost we need to remain in Christ. Our motive is to live a life of love. First, we are to love the Lord with our whole being, that is knowing it is God who does all the work in our lives. He is the one who started the work in us, and it is he who will complete the work in us. He is the one who forgave us, and declares us holy and blameless in his sight. There is nothing we can do to produce this position of being holy and blameless. All the work is God’s. How could we not love him? Then we are to love our neighbors as ourselves. Again, this cannot be done by works, but only by love, which would translate as not causing any harm to them, as we would not intentionally cause any harm to ourselves, for we love ourselves, because God loves us, and if he loves us, why should we not love ourselves. So then, love is the key, to the right motive, and that will be exposed by Jesus, who will say to those who love him, “Come and enter into my rest”. But those whose motives are not about Jesus, we dare not consider what praise they will receive. The fact is, we should live for the praise of God, rather then the praise of men.

 

Being of Christ

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

BEING OF CHRIST

1 Cor 3:18-23

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; 20 and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile."   21 So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.

NIV

We are sort of the conclusion regarding Paul’s comments about their quarreling over who they follow, but not really, for this is Paul, of course, inspired by the Spirit, but still, he has some of the longest thoughts that seem to never come to an end. Nevertheless, He brings us back to that thinking we are wise because we have this degree of that degree, and then of course it is the level of our degrees that matter the most to us. We have heard all that boasting about what degree or how many degrees someone has, and we understand their thinking is futile because God said so. Anytime we think about the standards the world has established we are being foolish. If fact, we should simply be a fool for Christ, which is believing everything about him and what he said, which is all of the holy scriptures. So let us not boast about what men do, what we do as men, but let us boast about Christ for we are in him and he is in us. This kind of life does not require the degrees of the world, nor should we lift up men, but Christ is the only one worthy to be lifted up. This life in Christ only requires our faith in Him. It is not that we should live like a fool, although Paul suggests that if we think we are wise by the standards of this world, we should become a fool so we can become wise. The idea is that living in Christ brings the wisdom of God through the power of the Spirit as he leads us into all truth. In addition, the Spirit manifests all his gifts and his fruit within us so that we may bring glory to God. Paul is making the point that all the wisdom of this world does not bring glory to God, in fact, God shows those who look to the world’s form of wisdom as being futile thinkers. This brings us a question in our minds. Why would someone think that their level of worldly education would be used by God to bring him glory? Of course, we can always study the word of God and even spend years learning about the history of man and his relationship with God. We can also attend seminaries to study God, and to learn more about the original languages to better understand the truth the Spirit leads us into. Studying God is always acceptable because that brings us to the point of exalting and glorifying Him. Yet, if we but come to Christ and allow him to come into us, as he gives us the Spirit of truth, for Jesus is the truth and the light and the life. Whatever we need to know and comprehend about God and our life in Christ, the Spirit will reveal that to us, then we are being of Christ. 

Being the Temple

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

BEING THE TEMPLE

1 Cor 3:16-17

16 Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? 17 If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.

NIV

Because we are God’s temple, and the Holy Spirit dwells within us, there are several interesting parallels we can see. First, there was the first temple, or as it was called a tabernacle which God gave Moses specific instructions as to how it was to be built. This was the place in which God would come and dwell among his people. Of course, being his temple, he has designed us, created us with his own hands, forming us from the dust according to his own specifications, so that we would bear his image. Then there was the first temple in Jerusalem. Of course, the first was built by  Solomon, but it had to be rebuilt later so that when Jesus went to the temple, it was not the one that Solomon built, but the rebuilt temple that Nehemiah started the work and it seems that Ezra was involved in the project seeing it to completion. Nevertheless, this temple was again the place where God came to dwell among his people. When Jesus cleansed the temple, it was another great parallel in our lives. As we are the temple of the Holy Spirit, Before he came to dwell within us, Jesus cleansed our hearts. When we accepted Jesus as our Lord and Savior, the work he did on the cross, taking our sins upon him, cleansed us from our sins, as God forgave us because we were washed in the blood of Jesus. This cleansing of his temple was needed much like the consecration of the temple in Jerusalem. Jesus cleansed that temple from the humanism that invaded his temple, and he quoted Isaiah, saying, “My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations”. Jesus did the same thing within us, cleansing us from our humanity as the Father declared us holy and blameless in his sight. Thus, we have been cleansed and consecrated by God so that we are able to receive the Holy Spirit living within us as God continues to dwell with his people. We are the sacred temple of God. Therefore, it would behoove us not to destroy it. Now, this is where there has been some confusion over the years as to what constitutes destroying the temple of God, which is us. Some would suggest that means our bodies. So those rules about not smoking and drinking were instituted as signs to keep us holy, yet nothing was said about overeating which does just as much if not more damage to the body. It is not the body which the Spirit dwells in, but it is our spirit, or the inner man, that only occupies the body. This is who Jesus cleansed, he did not cleanse our bodies. The Spirit is not physical and thus he dwells within us, within our spirit, making us the spiritual temple of God. We are the holy temple of God. That is so awesome to comprehend fully, yet that is who we are, declared so by God. It is our spirit we should be concerned about destroying, or compromising by taking on some of the philosophies and ideologies of this world. the temple in Jerusalem stood apart from the world around it, in fact, it was the greatest influence in the realm of Israel. If we stand as the temple of God, then we are the greatest influence in our land. Therefore, we should live as being the temple. 

Laboring For Christ

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

LABORING FOR CHRIST

1 Cor 3:10-15

10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

NIV

Paul is still making the case that the Corinthians should not be quarreling about whether they follow Paul, Apollos, or Cephas, but that everything is about Jesus Christ. What we should understand is that according to the gracious act of God this Greek word charin, carries that meaning, along with it being used to demonstrate the divine influence upon a person's heart and how that is expressed, or reflected. In other words, it is the work of God in Paul’s life that he was able to lay a foundation as an expert builder. Someone else is building upon that foundation, as a co-worker in Christ. We think that we have to be careful of this thinking that we are co-workers with Christ, but that we should see ourselves as co-workers for Christ. But, at the same time, we should be aware that it is God who does the work in and through us. It would be as if we could plant a tree, but we cannot make the sap flow up from the roots making the tree grow, that is only done by the work of God. However, Paul is making the point that as we serve the Lord, and do it through the foundation of Jesus Christ crucified, and are faithful to that truth, instead of trying to build using the ways the world, then on that day, we will hear, “Enter my good and faithful servant”. What is most difficult to understand is this comment about if our work survives, and this is mostly directed toward the ministers of God, although it could also be applied to every believer, we shall receive our reward. This reward is not defined, although we can find a list of rewards within the letters to the churches in the revelation given to John. They are the list of rewards given to those who overcome. 1. The right to eat from the tree of life.2.We will not be hurt by the second death. 3. Given hidden manna and dressed in white. 4. Given a white stone with a new name written on it. 5. be a pillar in the temple of God. 6. Give authority to sit on the throne with Jesus. 7. Given authority over all the nations. Then we could also see crowns as a reward, however, they are listed as the crown of righteousness, the crown of life, and the crown of Glory. This is not to be understood that someone will have more crowns or more jewels in their crown, for that is not anywhere in the scripture. There is also the thought that those whose work is burned up, but will be saved, will have a lesser place in heaven. First, we need to know that we will not be living in heaven, but on earth in the new creation. Second, if there are levels in the salvation of God, then we would have to believe he shows favoritism, which we are told he does not. This idea of levels or some having a greater reward than others comes from the concept that everything depends on our work. Then it becomes a work contract, and not by the grace of God, and then we are right back in the old covenant which Jesus set aside for a greater new covenant of grace. Let us simply labor as we have been called to do and surely, we will receive all that God has for us, everything Jesus prepared for us. 

Mere Men or Believers

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

MERE MEN OR BELIVERS

1 Cor 3:1-9

3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as 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. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men? 4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not mere men? 5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe — as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.

NIV

There are two concepts within this section of the letter, and we should take a look at each one. First, we should consider the qualifiers for being mere infants that are not ready for solid food. It is interesting that Paul equates these two qualifiers with being worldly, which are jealousy and quarreling. It is interesting when we look at the Greek, the word translated as jealousy is zelos which carries this idea of ardor, or with enthusiasm, passion, fervor, or zeal. This is not passive jealousy or envy, but it is active without reservations. That does not sound like a mature believer at all. The other qualifier for being an infant or worldly is quarreling. The Greek word is eris, which carries the idea of wrangling, which as a verb, and is a long complicated dispute, it is bickering or squabbling. This is not a once-in-a-time situation, but goes on and on, with this constant division between two people. It might even foster a sense of hatred, as this quarreling continues. Again, this does not sound like a believer in Christ Jesus, but, as Paul puts it, acting as mere men. These emotions were running high in Corinth over which pastor was the best one to follow. Does that sound anything like our post-modern church? There are a lot of voices out there both through visual and written media. Perhaps we do not openly dispute which of them is better at expressing the word of God, but it does seem that believers have favorite ones they listen to. As believers in Christ Jesus, have we become distracted or even deceived by some of these voices, listening to their form of Christianity? Then we have local churches that seem to develop around the personality of the local pastors. If a believer is offended by what he says, they might leave to find a pastor in another church that tickles their ears better. What we have to believe is that it does not matter about the person, but it is all about the work of God. If we listen to the Spirit, he will lead us through this life, directing us to the right place of worship and he will make us grow. We cannot be content with being mere men, but seek out the truth of the word, as we listen to the Spirit. Then one other thought is about those who are called. Paul makes the point that it does not matter if he plants and Apollos waters, as long as God is the one doing the work in his temple, which is us. We all must follow what we have been called to do, as part of the body of Christ. It does not matter what our calling is, as long as we follow that calling, and God will reward each of us according to our own labor, which is whatever we have been called to do. We cannot want to do what another has been called to do, or envy their calling, for we will be rewarded according to our own calling, whatsoever that is. Let us not be like mere men, but live as a believer. 

Living With the Mind of Christ

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

LIVING WITH THE MIND OF CHRIST

1 Cor 2:10-16

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.   14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

NIV

Well, there is it, the wisdom of this world, the education of this world, has no bearing on the things of God. There is a spirit of this world, and that spirit is that which instructs man to rely on himself, his own abilities, his own education, and his knowledge received from the mind of men. It seems odd that man instructs man, and they think they are passing on wisdom. But we do not rely on the spirit of this world, and its form of wisdom for that is but foolishness to God. Instead, we rely on the Spirit of God who knows the mind of God and is from God and therefore he leads us into all the truth of God, which is pure wisdom. So we do not speak from the mind of men, that is the words, the knowledge, the education of  man, but we speak from the words taught to us by the Spirit, and we express spiritual truths in spiritual words. There are two types of people, those without the Spirit, and those with the Spirit. If a person lacks the Spirit, they cannot understand any of the truth of God. This can even be pervasive within the church. It is possible that members of the church have been deceived and have been  influenced by the wisdom of this world, and approach their Christianity, from purely this intellectual viewpoint the world seems to prefer. It is true that we can receive knowledge from the world’s system, using various institutions of learning. It would be ridiculous to think we could survive in our culture at all without some degree of education, and learning the skills needed to earn a living. But that is different than taking on the philosophy, and the ideology of men who do not know God, for they do not understand the things that come from the Spirit for, as Paul said, they are spiritually discerned, which means, they investigate, or looking through a series of particulars to distinguish, meaning they have their own filters they see through, and thus are truly blind and unable to distinguish the words of the Spirit. However, we do not look through the lens of the mind of men, the wisdom of this world. Instead, we look to Christ who knows the mind of God and of the Spirit. As we listen through the power of Christ, through the power of God, we hear the voice of the Spirit leading us into all the truth we need for this life and for life eternal. We live with the mind of Christ. 

Destined for Glory

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

DESTINED FOR GLORY

1 Cor 2:6-10

6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"— 10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit.

NIV

The people of the  world will never understand for they are too busy feeding their own appetites. However, God’s plan has always been to bring his creation into his glory, and that is only going to happen through Jesus Christ crucified. Yet, the rulers of their world did just that, they crucified the Lord of glory. It is interesting that the wisdom of this world was used to reveal the wisdom of God. It is also interesting that among the mature there is a teaching of God’s secret wisdom which has to do with us being destined for glory. Paul is comparing the wisdom of this world and the wisdom of God. No one who is living to satisfy their own desires, the people of the world, those who have rejected Jesus or serve some god of their own design can hear or listen or see the truth of God. They are blinded by their own appetites for the things of this world.  Even we believers within our own humanity cannot fully comprehend what God has prepared for us that love him. However, we do not need to try to understand, or figure it out, because the Spirit has revealed to us all that God has prepared for us. We know that Jesus told his disciples, which would include all of us who are his disciples, which simply means a learner, a pupil, that he was going to prepare a place for us, and that he would come back and take us to this place. This may only be a part of the glory that God has prepared for us. However, as we fellowship with the Spirit, he reveals more and more of the glory that God has prepared for those who love him. Although some might think that when we die, we go to heaven, and in a sense, our spirit will leave our body and be in the presence of God. However, it is the resurrection of the body, when our bodies will be raised imperishable, glorified, incorruptible, and become the eternal being that God designed us to be. This will not happen in heaven, but on the earth and we will live in our glorified bodies in the new city of Jerusalem with God being the light. There are glories upon glories that await us and we can see and we can hear because the Spirit who dwells within us, reveals all the glory that we are destined for. 

The Power of the Spirit

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT

 

1 Cor 2:1-5

2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.   2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

NIV

The lifestyle in Greece was the opposite of what Paul says about how he came to them to preach the gospel. That is in Greece they were all about the wisdom of the world, and having eloquent discourse with all the gracefully formed sentences and the skill of the arrangement of their arguments. Paul, on the other hand, came simply to preach about Jesus Christ crucified. In fact, he was nervous even speaking with such men who looked to all the correct rhetorical compositions as that standard for speech. Has anything changed in our modern times? Of course, there are all the scholars, the wise men, and even the rhetoricians with their persuasive words, and we must include the theologians. There is so much wisdom in the world, and it has even infiltrated into the church. There are courses designed to give the preacher the proper format for a sermon, the three-point sermon, with proper illustrations, and fitting within the expected time frame, using all the appropriate language skills of the rhetoricians.  Then we have hermeneutics which we must apply to our study and interpretation of scripture. It seems that we have become a people who seek wisdom rather than Jesus Christ crucified. We cannot help but think that all we need to do is preach the word as it is written. Of course, there are those who must find those esoterical meanings within. But, did Paul mean something other than what he spoke by the inspiration of the Spirit? We do not need all the fancy degrees, the wisdom gained by the world’s standards, to preach Jesus Christ crucified. It could be helpful to have a formal education in biblical studies, to garner the thoughts of others, which could assist us in seeing certain aspects of the truth. However, what we really need is the influence of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. How have we become a people so much in need of education as the world is? How have we allowed the standard of this world, to have so much influence in our pursuit of the scriptures? Is not our faith in God, our faith in Jesus Christ, our faith in hearing the voice of the Spirit as he leads us into all, and that is not some, but all truth, not enough? We do not need fine words, or even all the right words, or correct methodology in preaching Jesus Christ crucified. We need faith in God and an open spirit to hear the Spirit. That is what Paul is talking about here, he preached to demonstrate the power of the Spirit. This should be our goal in our presentation of the word of God, to demonstrate the Spirit’s power. Yes, it is all about learning to lean, to lean on the power of the Spirit, so the power of God is revealed, rather than the power of men. 

Boasting

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

BOASTING

1 Cor 1:26-31

26 Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him. 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.   31 Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."  

NIV

Has boasting infiltrated the church? Perhaps the fact that some believers that have been called are wise by human standards and therefore they cannot help themselves boasting about their academic achievements or their worldly wisdom. But the fact is the post-modern church is not like that church in Corinth. Although there was wise men, scholars and philosophers for Greece was the center of culture and education, they were not the ones God called.  However, Paul also made that point about how they are foolish to God. So why then would a believer in the post-modern church who had the opportunity to be educated in according to the standards of this world, want to boast? They know, as we all do, that all we have, all we are, and all we do is completely dependent on the Lord. However, maybe those with that worldly knowledge are not aware it is the Lord who choose the foolish things of their world to shame the wise. There is one thing to have head knowledge, but that does not always translate as wisdom. Knowledge is available through many sources in this world, but there is only one source for wisdom. Some have said that wisdom is what gives them the ability to apply their knowledge. But Paul is saying the it does not require that foolish standard of knowledge to attain wisdom. For God chose the lowly, that is those without the degrees from the world, or the wealthy, to shame the wise. But the simply people, the average people who are not wise or knowledgeable by the worlds standards and called them into his wisdom, and thus they only one they can boast in is Jesus Christ. We understand this for we did not become anything successful in the world. We have lived a below average childhood, I speak personally, as I did not know Christ, nor his salvation. I lived a nomadic life with our parents moving ever year it seemed. My future was glim, with no hope of gaining any success in this world. Yet, one day, in my adult years, Christ called me to himself. Since then my life has been changed with being filled with the Spirit, who influences my life. He has brought about my learning, my gaining strength in this life and it is all due to Christ. Therefore if I am going to boast about anyone, it is not going to be me, but I can only boast in the work of Jesus Christ  for me, in me, and through me. Any of the worldly knowledge that I did attain, became rubbish, because all that I am, all that I do, Christ Jesus is totally responsible for. It is Christ who I boast in. 

Knowing Wisdom

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

KNOWING WISDOM

1 Cor 1:18-25

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate."   20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

NIV

This could not be any plainer then if it were broadcast on every social media outlet every day. Why do men always look to the amount of education they have as a symbol of their intelligence. We are so tired of hearing what degrees a person has, or their titles, boasting about their knowledge. God has made it so clear that he will frustrate the wise man. In fact, the question is asked as to where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? God has made all the wisdom of their world foolishness. Now, there is a difference between the world’s wisdom and that of God’s wisdom being poured out among his people. Paul is making the distinction between those who look to the power of God through Jesus Christ and those who have rejected any concept of the truth of God for their own self-proclaimed wisdom, which is simply foolishness to God. It is clear that the cross of Christ is a stumbling block to those who look to their own power. We recall a famous person who became a governor of a state that make the remark that Christianity is a crutch for weak-minded people. How foolish he was to think that his or humanity's wisdom was greater than God’s. However, what is Paul talking about when he says the Jews demand miraculous signs? We understand regarding the Greeks who look for wisdom, for this whole idea is about the wisdom of the world being foolishness to God and that even the foolishness of God, if there is such a thing, is wiser the man’s wisdom. But why did Paul bring in the Jews into this discussion? Can we understand they did have a faith in God, they were the chosen people, however, they also rejected the power of the cross of Christ, in fact, many of them made it their goal to put Christ on the cross. Still, many who followed after him were always looking for a display of his power. We wonder, as Christians of today if we look for some display of his power. We also wonder if we have replaced God’s wisdom with man’s education in biblical studies. Are we trying to appear wise in the eyes of man, rather then confessing our weakness,  and living by his strength? Is it not through the power of the Spirit who dwells within us that we receive the wisdom of God. Why then do we look to the wisdom of man? Why are we expected to be educated by man’s teachings regarding biblical wisdom? Most denominations demand a level of education to approve licensing someone to preach in their churches. In past years some denominations made fun of those men who confessed they were revelation preachers. That is with no formal training or education from some bible school, they proclaimed their knowledge came through a revelation from God. Have we lost looking for a revelation from God and are looking toward our education, thinking we have attained wisdom? Let us simply look to God and His wisdom as we listen to that still small voice within, as the Spirit inspires us. Then we will know the wisdom of God. 

God's Wisdom Only

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTNIANS

 GOD’S WISDOM ONLY

1 Cor 1:13-17

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. 16(Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

NIV

We are in the midst of Paul's comments about being united in mind and thought. Again, there was problems going on in this church, just as we considered how the modern church may not be as united in mind and thought as it should be. Now Paul asks these questions. Of course, we know Christ is not divided, and that no man was crucified for us. That is the whole point we should remember about being of one mind and thought. It is Jesus who was crucified for us all, and we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although, we do not know if that was the practice of the early church, and it was only in the name of Jesus that people were baptized. For the most part, we talk about following Jesus in baptism, because he had John the baptizer, baptize him, and at the moment the Spirit descended upon Jesus and the Father spoke from Heaven. Therefore, in that sense, the trinity's wholeness was present; thus, we use the same wholeness for our baptisms. Although this is important, we want to focus on this new thought the Spirit introduces through Paul. We do have to remember Paul is but a man, with human wisdom, but that he is inspired by the Spirit so that what he writes is from the wisdom of God. This is exactly what Paul now confesses to the church in Corinth and to us. He is not speaking from the wisdom of man, lest the cross be emptied of its power. Paul has more to say, but let us ponder more on this one issue. We think that it is crucial for us as humans, when we speak the word of God, especially those who preach the word, seek the influence, the inspiration of the Spirit, so that we are not speaking from the wisdom of man, but rather from the wisdom of God. Of course, for the most part, many of the preachers of the word of God have attended institutions of higher learner, earning various degrees in different aspects of biblical studies. Most denominations require these degrees for ordination. However, that education does not necessarily correspond to the wisdom of God, however, those individuals can also be filled with the Spirit, hearing his wisdom, and therefore speaking not from their wisdom. However, for an individual to speak from the wisdom of God does not require attaining human wisdom, but only having a dependent mind and spirit on the wisdom of God. If we but listen to that still small voice, and obey his inspiration, he will empower our words, just as his power was displayed on the cross. Let us live completely dependent on the power of Christ in our lives so that we speak by God’s wisdom only. 

One Mind and Thought

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

ONE MIND AND THOUGHT

1 Cor 1:10-12

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. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ."

NIV

Paul has more to say regarding this division within the church, but we have enough right now to consider a few things. The first is being united in mind and thought. We know that the modern church has not come to terms with this yet. Not that we are divided as to who we follow, for we think that most of the churches follow Christ. However, we are aware of a movement within some churches to take the gender of God away. That is they will not use the term, Father and Son. So in that sense, they do not follow Christ, but a God of their own design. Still, even among the churches that say they follow Christ, we have many variations of what that means. The proof of this is in the fact of so many different denominations with their own brand of truths. This is not being united in mind and thought. We wonder what God thinks of all of us and our divisions, even within Christianity. However, Paul is talking about one church, one single gathering of believers in Corinth, a city in Greece. This may be why there were so many problems because of the influence of the Greek culture which infiltrated the thinking of the church. Then there were the silver-tongued orators that brought all sorts of cultural ideas into the church. Immorality as well as a host of ideas that should not be part of the church. Because of so many different speakers, it became easy to start to think about who was the best orator and follow his teachings. Of course, today we have much the same thing happening in the church, even within one denomination, or even in one congregation. We may all follow Christ, or at least that is our confession, but we might well be choosing one particular church because of the tongue of the local pastor, that is his style of preaching. Then there are the diehards who have been at this one church through thick and thin, no matter who the pastor is. Then we see those who leave because of a new pastor. Who are all these people following? Is this a display of being united in mind and thought? Do we follow a pastor, or do we follow Christ? Do we listen to the ideas of the culture that has infiltrated the church? Do we accept some of this cultural thinking, taking on the ways of its thinking, rather than holding fast to the truth of God? Are we trying to live in both realms, following two ways, being divided in our own minds and thoughts? The truth is that Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, there are no other ideas that agree with the word of God. Those ideas only cause strife within the church and within us, a divided heart. How can we become one mind and one thought, both in the church and within us? Will that ever happen before Jesus returns? Nevertheless, the standard is one mind and one thought. 

Fellowshipping With Jesus

 DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHAINS

FELLOWSHIPPING WITH JESUS

1 Cor 1:4-9

4 I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way — in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— 6 because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

NIV

We can see these words twofold. First, we could be considered if we are at all like Paul in that we always thank God for others believers because of the grace given to them in Christ Jesus. However, secondly we would think that we are the ones who have received grace through Christ Jesus and that we have been enriched in every way which includes the way we speak and all our knowledge regarding Christ and our relationship with him. The fact is that we do not lack any spiritual gift, which Paul will get to outlining all the gifts of the Spirit later in his letter. However, the key here is that as we do not lack any spiritual gift, it is not so much that we think how we use them in our lives, but how we use them as we eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. What does “be revealed” mean? The Greek word is apokalupsis, which is used for an uncovering, such as laying bare. However, it is also used in the sense of appearance or manifestation. Paul uses the same word later to indicate a disclosure of the truth, instruction concerning divine things before unknown. It is certain,within the context, we would have to believe that Paul is saying they eagerly wait for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ to judge the world. That is as he is revealed for who he is, in all truth. This is because of the fact that Jesus will keep us strong to the end, which is that day of judgment. He will keep us strong so we will be blameless on that day. Actually, we have already been declared blameless, because time does not work in the same fashion in the kingdom of God as it does in this physical world. Because God was, is and will ever be, everything has already happened, but we still live it out in the here and now, as we consider time. So we look forward eagerly for the end of time, when Jesus will come and judge the world. Although we must wait for it as it is God who determines when that day will be, we still eagerly wait for it. How does that look in our everyday lives? Do we just live out our days trying our best to get by in this world? Do we spend most of our time concerned about matters that are trivial in comparison to spiritual matters? What does eagerly waiting look like? We know that part of it is regarding using the spiritual gifts we are not lacking in. We know part of it is in our speaking and knowledge regarding Jesus Christ. It is a wonder how we can be consumed talking about inconsequential matters, when there is so much we should be saying about spiritual matters of the utmost importance, such as the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ on that day. We know we should be talking about the spiritual gifts we are not lacking in and how we can use them to further the kingdom of God as well for the common good or all believers.  Since we have been called into fellowship with Jesus let us live as though we are fellowshipping with Jesus. 

The Work of God

 DEVOTION

THE FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE WORK OF GOD

1 Cor 1:1-3

 Paul called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ — their Lord and ours: 3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

NIV

First of all, let us consider this letter as written directly to us, as we are among those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus and are called holy, as we also are among those who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We somewhat have difficulty with this word sanctified, as though it has something to do with us, or what we do, or don’t do. But that is not the case, for this Greek word, hagiazoo, means to be rendered, or declared sacred or holy, and that can only be done by God which is a result of us being in Christ, or accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior. That is why Paul makes the point that we are rendered as sacred, or holy because we are in Christ Jesus, and called hagios, saints, or set apart for God. It is interesting the “to be” in the called to be holy is not in the Greek, but added for clarification, but whoever felt that we should be called to be holy, would mean, it is what we have been called to be, thus a work by us to be holy, not that we have been rendered as saints or rendered as set apart for God, by God. But that is exactly what the more wooden translation of the Greek is. We are declared or rendered as sacred or holy because we are in Christ Jesus and we have been rendered as saints, set apart for God, by God. It is all about what God has done in us, and has nothing to do we how we need to be in order to be acceptable to God, proving our holiness, or purity by our righteous acts. Our part is but to call upon the name of the Lord. His part is to do all the declaring us sacred and holy and setting us apart for himself. Because we have been declared sacred, holy, and saints of God, he bestows his grace and peace upon us. Once again, his grace, in this context, is this goodwill, this act of graciousness or favor or loving-kindness of the Lord. Now, what is due to this act of grace is revealed in our spiritual condition because we are powered, or influenced,  by his divine grace. Once again, this spiritual condition is not to be confused with works, for they are physical and this grace is revealed within us in our spiritual condition, that which is within the innermost core of our being, which is rendered by God, as sacred and holy. This peace is  also something that is bestowed upon us, and it creates within us a tranquil state in which we are assured of our salvation thus we fear nothing from God and we are content with our earthly lot, whatsoever that is. We live in perfect peace, without anxiety, stress, and joylessness. If we believe that God gives us his peace, not as the world gives, but as he gives, then we are free to live joyfully, secure, and full of his peace. Although we may see results in our lives, in some physical sense, it is not because of our work because this is all the work of God. 

Firmly Established

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

FIRMLY ESTABLISHED

Rom 16:25-27

25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

NIV

This is the final comment from Paul and our final thoughts from this letter to the Romans. To him, who is the only wise God, is the only one who is able to establish us by the gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ. No one or nothing else can establish us by the gospel. Yes, there were men who recorded this gospel, four of them to be exact, and there were those who traveled the surrounding lands preaching or sharing this gospel message about Jesus Christ. Over the years, this message has been proclaimed throughout the world and at some point in time, we heard this very same message. True, Christianity has also become simply a religion without the exact content of the proclamation of the full message that was brought as a revelation of a mystery that was hidden long ago. Now it would appear that all nations have at least heard of the name of Jesus Christ, although there are some nations who have determined to create their own gods instead, or governments that suppress the knowledge of Jesus Christ. We would be hard-pressed to find someone in our country who has not heard the name of Jesus. Yet, it would also seem there are many who have suppressed any knowledge they might know about Jesus in order to live according to their own appetites. Nevertheless, once a person, such as ourselves hear the proclamation of Jesus Christ and believe and obeys him, we are indeed established by the only wise God as his children who he declares that we are holy and blameless in his sight. This being established also includes eternal life, because Jesus came in the form of man, us, and lived a perfect life, so he could be the pure and holy lamb of God, the sacrifice, once and for all, for our sins. But that was not all, for although he died, and was in the grave, he was the first of us to be resurrected into a glorious state of eternal life. His work on the cross, in the grave, and through his resurrection, defeating death once and for all, gives us, who believe in and obey, the same experience. This corruptible body will die, and be put in the grave, but death has no hold on us for we will be raised incorruptible, firmly established by God as his eternal children to live in his holy presence forever and ever through Jesus Christ. We are so glad, filled with joy and peace,  contentment, fulfillment, and being completed satisfied because we heard, listened, and received the proclamation of Jesus Christ and are now firmly established. 

Crushed Under Our Feet

  

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

CRUSHED UNDER OUR FEET

Rom 16:20-27

20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my relatives. 22 I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city's director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings.   25 Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, 26 but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him— 27 to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

NIV

This is the last of his conclusions to the letter he wrote to the church in Rome. It is simply a last salutation, however, there are a few very interesting statements that he makes. The first is somewhat in the form of prayer, yet also prophetic in some sense. He says that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet. We will take those words for our own lives as well, knowing that God fights our battles for us against the dark forces of evil in this world. However, could we also think that this prophetic word has not yet happened until the last battle that will take place, wherever that might be, either in the valley of Megiddo, which is also called Armageddon, or on Mt Moriah, where the great city of Jerusalem stands? Although it has been traditionally thought of as Armageddon, it was Jerusalem where Jesus defeated death, was resurrected, and then ascended into heaven. It would make sense this is where he would crush Satan forever under the feet of man. Nevertheless, this could also mean that God will crush Satan under our feet during our daily lives, that Satan has no authority, no power, he is already crushed beneath our feet. Perhaps our battle is not so much with Satan, but with our own self. This war that wages within us that is that battle about the things that we do not want to do, we still do, and those things that we want to do, we do not. Still, God has supplied us with his armor to fight against the enemy of our souls, yet as we have also discovered some time ago, each piece of that armor describes an aspect of Jesus, thus  God has clothed us in Jesus, to ward off the attacks if that toothless lion that roams around trying to destroy us, but he has already been crushed, he is toothless, and thus crushed beneath us. Because we are saved or redeemed by the blood of Jesus and as our faith is in Jesus, we have been given the right to be called children of God, who has declared us holy and blameless in his sight. Therefore, as his children, he defends us, battles for us, and protects us by clothing us in Jesus, and thus Satan is crushed under our feet. That is we, as the children of God, clothed in Jesus, declared holy and blameless, can stomp all over Satan because we have been given that authority from God. 

Good Shepherding

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

GOOD SHEPHERDING

 Rom 16:17-19

17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

NIV

The times have not changed much over these thousands of years, for there are those today who cause divisions and put obstacles in the way of believers, that are contrary to the truth. There are many today who use all sorts of media sources to spread their smooth talk and flattery deceiving naïve believers. It is so important to be under the shepherding of a local pastor who lives his life in the open in front of his people and has been called by God to watch over the people of his congregation, leading them to green pastures, which is the word of God. Yes, the shepherd preaches from the word, but it is the sheep that must eat from the green pasture. Paul also talks about the gift of the Spirit to the church, which one of the four or five, depending on how that is seen, is the pastor, and maybe as well as the teacher. Nevertheless, the pastor is the shepherd who leads the people to the word of God, there they may eat and devour the truth of God,  which nourishes and strengthens them. The deceivers are not interested in leading the people to the truth, but only what to flattering the people so they will give them their money so they can live the high and abundant lifestyle that satisfies their appetites. How easy it is to let our ears be flattered, to be told how good we are, and how wonderful it is to be blessed by God, that he will give us our hearts desire if we only give. That old seed faith thing that tickled the ears of so many, if you want more money, then give more money, to the smooth talker, of course. It is so important to devour the word of God, to ingest it into the core of our being, so we will not be deceived by those silver-tongued purveyors of lies. This is also why the Spirit has that gift of discernment available so that when those deceivers come along, the Spirit expresses that gift within us, so we can avoid the lies, and see the truth. We can be sure as we are obedient to the truth, the pastor is full of joy over his seeing the people, God has given him. The shepherd is always glad to see his sheep flourish, but also is glad to see the people being wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. 

Honoring and Testifying

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

HONORING AND TESTIFYING

Rom 16:1-16

16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. 3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 5 Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, whom I love in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, tested and approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my relative. Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. 12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.

NIV

Well, it looks like they are to greet everyone. This is quite a list of people that Paul commends and asks this church to greet them in a way worthy of the saints, which would be all a holy kiss, it would appear. The other truth we see here is that all these people worked hard in the Lord. Paul does make a special comment about most of these people, but the general theme is they all have been tested and approved in Christ and work very hard in the Lord. Here is where the rubber meets the road for us. What would be said about us,  if someone was to give us a reference to another church, or for that matter within our home church? Would anyone testify that we work hard in the Lord? Would anyone say that we are servants of the church, which means the people of the church? Would people give witness that we have helped many people? What would people say regard to if we have been a fellow worker, which would imply that we are working in concert with others, not being self-fulfilling, in a sense? We also notice how many women Paul mentions bringing them into concert with all the other believers, as well as lifting up their position in the body of Christ, which surely went against the general concept of society at that time. The modern church has left all that behind and functions with equality for all, as we are all brothers and sisters in the Lord, equal in the eyes of God. However, we still have this responsibility to greet one another with a holy kiss, that is to give a great deal of respect and love toward each and every one of our fellow believers, honoring them, as well as testifying of their diligence in their service to the Lord. This then would fit right into the theme of honoring others above ourselves and being used to being honored by others as well, as each honors the other, all members of the body of Christ are being honored and testified about being hard-working for the Lord. Surely, all these people Paul mentioned were not a full-time paid staff of his, but people who volunteered their efforts to serve the Lord, coming from all walks of life. We do not know how they supported themselves, but the important thing is they served the Lord with all their being. How are we doing in the modern church? Are we all working that hard for the Lord, or are we sort of just including some church activities into our daily lives of making sure we have enough of everything we want materially? Nevertheless, we get this idea that working hard for the Lord is or should be our first priority, serving in concert with all others, as we honor them, testifying of their service to God. 

Joining by Prayer

  

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

JOINING BY PRAYER

Rom 15:30-33

30 I urge you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, 32 so that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.

NIV

Further concluding remarks about his going to Jerusalem to deliver the offering gift he was given to take to the poor there. He is asking the church in Rome to pray and join him in his struggle by praying for him. That is something we may not have noticed before about praying for others who are having a struggle. However, first, we also noticed that our praying or those who are struggling is due to our relationship, or motivated by our  Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit. This does not mean our love for Christ and the Spirit, but they are the channel of love. It is the Greek word dia, which denotes the channel of an act. This implies that we in our humanity are not capable of joining with someone who is having a struggle unless we are in the power of Christ and the agape love of the Spirit. About this joining in someone’s struggle by praying for them, it is interesting this Greek word, sunagonizomai is only used this one time in the entire New Testament. It means to partner with, struggle in company with, to help in striving with them. This would not be having compassion on them because they are having a struggle, but this would be empathizing with them, being in concert with their struggle, to be moved within the core of our being, feeling their struggle, by joining with them by praying for them. This is not that simple, “I will pray for you”. Or “I am praying for you” type of comment, with the idea that we do not understand the inner struggle of their heart, but that we will remember them in our daily prayers, mentioning their name, asking God to bless them, or something of that nature. This is a deep moving of our spirit, to be in the passion of their struggle, of whatsoever that might be. There can be various events that can be the cause of a person’s struggle. For Paul, it was to be rescued from the unbelievers in Jerusalem, for he once was one of them, a Jew of Jews, a Pharisee, a Zealot who persecuted believers in Jesus. Now, he was a believer of believers, a zealot for Jesus, and his former companions hated him for his being a turncoat, at least in their eyes. But we can have all sorts of struggles in different areas of our lives. It would behoove a person who is having some struggle to be transparent enough to admit the details of their struggle, as Paul has done. Then we who are currently not engaged with any struggle of our own can join in their struggle through the power of Jesus Christ and the love of the Spirit as he moves within us with this empathy, "feeling their pain", so to speak, so our prayers would be the fervent, or effectual prayer because we are righteous men, due to being in Christ, and it will avail much, as James said. Then those words, “Let us pray for you in your struggle” will mean something. We will be joining by prayer.

 

Sharing Blessings

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

SHARING BLESSINGS

Rom 15:23-29

23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to see you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to visit you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the saints there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this fruit, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.

NIV

We are coming to the conclusion of this letter and Paul is making some personal comments regarding his travel plans that include his desire to visit these believers in Rome. We know that he will get to Rome but not the way he intended to, and we would think that even in his house arrest life, some of these believers make a visit to him. But for now, the only thing we can glean from this personal comments is the point that other believers had taken up an offering to help the poor in the church in Jerusalem. This would mean that Gentile believers were helping Jews that were in need. This is just another example of the unity of faith within the body of Christ. Certainly, the modern church is working in this same sense as we give our tithes and offering that include, through the direction of either the church board or whatever form of organization each church has, a line item for the poor, such as a benevolent fund or something like that. In addition, most churches give some support to those who have been called to missionary work, not that they are poor, but they are not in full-time employment with income of their own for they dedicate their full-time efforts to their calling, much like the pastors of the church. Nevertheless, it is right to look after those who are in need, and in some way, through our tithe and offerings, we are doing that. In addition, Paul was speaking about being able to share in the spiritual blessing of other believers. Here the Gentiles were sharing the spiritual blessing of the Jews, because in some sense Jesus came to the Jews, and was rejected in the general sense by the Jews. Of course, there were those who believed, but the nation as a whole rejected Jesus as the Messiah and therefore the Gentiles were brought the good news. But that was the plan all along, as Jesus commissioned his twelve to go into all the world to preach the good news. Still, it is good to share in the spiritual blessings of others. When there is someone or a church that has been spiritually blessed, the rest of us should rejoice in their blessings because we too have been blessed by knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior,  which is the spiritual blessing Paul is talking about. There should always be rejoicing when others receive this spiritual blessing and there should always be the sharing of our material blessings with those who are in need. 

Boasting About Christ

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

BOASTING ABOUT CHRIST

Rom 15:17-22

17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and miracles, through the power of the Spirit. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."   22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.

NIV

This is a personal witness by Paul of his mystery and it would seem there is not much that applies to us. However, there is a few things that do strike a cord in our hearts. Right from the start we can see that we should glory in Christ Jesus for our service to God. It is interesting this translated as glory means to boast as well as praise. We know from other times that we should not boast about what we do, but rather we should be boasting in Christ Jesus for it is he who has given us life, as well as sent us the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and give us the power to serve God. How can we even think to venture to speak of our accomplishments, our abilities or anything that we are doing in service to the Lord, but rather it is Christ who is working in us and through us by the power of the Spirit. It is he who accomplishes everything in us. This is why we personally believe that it does not matter what kind of personal abilities we might have or not have, for when the Spirit manifests or expresses himself within and though us, we will do great things for the kingdom of God. It is even possible through the power of the Spirit that we might do signs and miracles, if we but only believe and  rely on the power of the Spirit rather on relying on our own abilities based on the amount of education or training we have received through the instruction of men. It would seem that when we rely on our abilities it is followed by our boasting in ourselves. It is when we are weak, it is when he  is strong and when he is strong, it is his power that works in and through us to bring honor and glory to his name. There is something else that Paul says that fits right into this truth. It is his ambition which has been instilled in him by the Spirit to preach the gospel of Christ where it is not known, rather than building upon someone else’s work. That sounds a little conceited, but at the some time is sounds as through he is driven by the Spirit to do that which he is supposed to do and not do that which other are doing. We each have a gift from God and through the expressing of the Spirit within us, we do that which we must do, that should be our ambition, to serve the Lord as we have been called in whatever way the Lord needs us to work for the kingdom of God. Yes,  we fit into the body, and we work for the benefit of the kingdom and for the good of the whole body. All the gifts of the Spirit are manifested within us for the common good. So let us serve him,  as we give him all the glory, boasting in Christ and him along for the great things he has done and is doing in and through us. We must always remember, he is the potter and we are his clay to mold and fill us as he sees fits. Let us always boast about the potter. 

Being an Offering

 DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

BEING AN OFFERING

 

Rom 15:14-16

14 I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

NIV

It is always good to be reminded of those things we know about Jesus Christ along with the whole of the word of God. Although we are New Testament believers we still need to be reminded of the lessons about the character of God we learn from his relationship with his creation written in the Old Testament. It is also good to remember that we are able to instruct one another because we are complete in knowledge and competent regarding the word of God, as well as filled with goodness. At least that sounds pretty good, but we wonder if that is completely truthful about us as Paul said it was about the New Testament believers in Rome. It seems today that our churches are made up of believers who, for the most part, come and listen to a learned and denominationally approved pastor. It also seems that whenever we do say something regarding the scriptures we either speak so as to agree with the pastor or speak to get the pastors approval. Rarely do we actually have conversations which might be somewhat of a debate about regarding how the scripture is interpreted. Yet, it is good to have a pastor such as Paul was to that church in Rome, for as with them, it is possible to get distracted by various things and forget to live in Christ, thus taking on certain attitudes and maybe even behaviors that are not profitable for our walk with the Lord. It is the calling and thus the task of the pastor to continually remind us of the ways of the Lord, instructing us. However, at the same time, if we are full of goodness, as those believers were, and complete in knowledge and competent to instruct one another, then we should do so in order that we all become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified, which is being rendered, or declared sacred or holy, by the Holy Spirit. This is certainly another truth we can grasp ahold of, that it is the Holy Spirit who does this work in us, and that in and of ourselves we cannot declare ourselves to be holy or sacred. What we can do is what Paul said before, and that is to offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. Once again, we remember that Greek word Hagios, which is translated as holy, meaning to be pure, morally blameless or religiously consecrated. This can only be done through our being in Christ, for in our humanity, we cannot blameless. It is God who declared us to be holy and blameless in his sight. However, we still need to offer ourselves to him in order for him to do this work in us and as he does then we are full of goodness and full of knowledge and competence to instruct one another. But it all begins by being an offering. 

A Blessing Beyond all Blessings

DEVOTION

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

A BLESSING BEYOND ALL BLESSINGS

Rom 15:13

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

NIV

May the God of all our expectations, which is the meaning of the Greek word translated as hope. We put all our hope in God. Hope for our resurrection. Hope for his deliverance from all our fears, and yes even from evil. Hope for his protection through this life, and hope for our eternal life. The reason we put all our expectations in God is that he is the God of hope. Who else can we put our hope in? We certainly cannot put our hope in ourselves, for what can we do without Christ? The fact is we can do nothing without Christ, for he is the root and we are but the branches. How can a branch even live with the root, much less produce any fruit? No, we must always be connected to Christ, so then we put all our hope in God. He is the one that as we put our trust in him, fills us with all joy and peace. Once again, we refer to the Greek to find that joy is all gladness or the cause or occasion for joy. This would mean that we live our lives filled to the brim with gladness. The reason is that we know God and He knows us. That is to say, we are in Christ and have been given the right to be called children of God. We have been saved from death and given eternal life. How could we not be filled with joy about that? Yet, it seems at times we become overwhelmed with the pressures of the world, and we do not look, talk and behave like someone filled with joy. But the fact is we are filled with joy and we should not suppress it or allow the world to steal it. However, it is not just joy alone that we are filled with God has also filled us with peace. Of course, we should remember this is also because we trust in the God of hope. As we turn to the Greek again we find the primary meaning of this Greek word translated as peace is the absence of the havoc of war. We could use that to say there should be no war that wages within us, for we should be at peace within ourselves, with ourselves, for we are in Christ, and he is in us. We could also use this word to define the peace or harmony or concord between individuals, which would mean that we would all live as this one great choir singing in tune, making harmony as we praise the Lord. However, in the Christian sense, this word carries the meaning of the tranquil state of our soul assured of our salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with our earthly lot, of whatsoever sort that is. Then we still have the power of the Holy Spirit who causes us to overflow, to be exceedingly, abundantly more than is just full, with hope. This is a blessing beyond all blessings.