[1 Corinthians 5, Proverbs 5]

H – 1 Corinthians 5:1–2a, “[1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. [2] And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn?”

E – Tolerant!

The apostle Paul addressed a case of sexual immorality in the church at Corinth. He did not approve of the immorality, but he was not so astounded that immorality was occurring. His greater dismay was that the church actually took pride in tolerating it.(1)

Wow! What a commentary by Richard Pratt. One must think of the holiness that Christ church is called to. Yet, the world has pushed toleration on humanity. To the point that if you don’t tolerate sexuality confusions and sexual immortality then you are a bigot and deserve to be punished. This has lead to many churches tolerating certain sins for the sake of being real and relevant. It’s also done out of arrogance in a push to be politically and socially “right” (5:2). However, it’s nothing more than a shame and stain on Christ church and His call for holiness. 

This has caused me to really think this morning. 1) Christ met with sinners. He called sinners and ate with sinners. But, He also led sinners to repentance. 2) Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 5:11 to avoid associating with those that bear the name of brother and yet openly practice sinful behaviors. 

That is a huge difference. We don’t shun ourselves from sinners who are in a need of The Savior. However, we do remove ourselves in association with “called brothers” who are openly in sinful behavior and unwilling to repent (Matthew 18:15-20). We call brothers and sisters to repentance. If there is an unwillingness to repent we should purge association with said person(s) to avoid giving the appearance of approving sin and sinful conduct (5:13). 

This may seem harsh. But, when this is done out of a Spirit of Sincerity, Love, and Truth (5:8) with hope and prayer that the person(s) may come to the genuine saving knowledge of the Lord (5:5). Well, it is right. 

A – Do not be part of defiling the church of Christ. Get the log out of my eye before I lead people to get the speck out of their eye (Matthew 7:5). Repent of any known sin and ask God to reveal sin. Do not be tolerant of sin and avoid giving the appearance or approval of sinful conduct. 

R – Lord God, thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving your church. Lord, thank you giving us the opportunity to repent and showing us what it means to be holy as you are holy. Lord, thank you for your steadfast love that endures forever. Thank you for being the God of countless second chances. Lord, help me to lead by word and deed with sincerity and truth. Lord, would you reveal yourself to our church. I pray for great repentance. I pray for a bond of unity and love. I pray you would bind the enemy and our church would be able to discern between your truth and the enemy’s lies. 

In Jesus Name!

(1) –   Richard L. Pratt Jr, I & II Corinthians, vol. 7, Holman New Testament Commentary (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000), 72.

[1 Corinthians 4, Proverbs 4]

H – 1 Corinthians 4:1, “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.”

E – Faithful!

Paul’s encouragement to the church in the city of Corinth in was that people should recognize him, the apostles, and believers as faithful. They should be regarded as faithful servants of Christ and faithful stewards of the mysteries of the Gospel. This was and is the calling on those who have been called out by God; servants of Christ and stewards of the Gospel. Faithful to serve and faithful to share. 

A – As one who has been called out by God, I must allow the overflow of His Spirit to lead me in serving Him and proclaiming the marvelous excellences of His Gospel. I should be regarded as one who does not just talk the talk, but walks the walk, letting His love be genuine in my life. Simply, Faithful!

R – Lord God, thank you for saving me. Thank you for calling me to be yours. Thank you for choosing me to be a vessel. Lord, I pray that I would allow you to have complete control in my life. God, use me as you see fit. Lord I pray I will serve you well and when you open doors for me to share the Gospel, I would. Use my service and stewardship to bring honor and glory to your great name.

In Jesus Name!

[1 Corinthians 3, Proverbs 1]

H – 1 Corinthians 3:12–14, “[12] Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—[13] each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. [14] If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.”

E – My Life’s Work!

Paul used the analogy for the Christian life as a builder. This builder is building upon some type of foundation with some type of material. I’m not a master carpenter, but I know enough that I can say, foundations matter. The materials that we use to build upon certain foundations also matter. 

The foundation must be planned out, prepared, and leveled. This is important because if it’s not then anything built upon it will either cave in, lean and eventually collapse, or stand strong and sturdy. On the biblical foundation that has been planned, prepared, and leveled lays a cornerstone. The cornerstone is a big deal. The cornerstone lays out the pattern and integrity for the rest of the building. The cornerstone is foundational as everything else that will be placed upon the foundation aligns off of this one stone. 

Jesus is that cornerstone. Spiritually, if we are in Christ, we are all built upon the foundation which God has prepared for us and Christ laid upon being the reliable measure and pattern for His church. This is huge! As the cornerstone of the building of the church, Jesus is our standard of measure and alignment.

This means that my life’s work matters. And, how I build upon the foundation matters. What I use to build upon the foundation matters. Not only does it matter now, but it will eternally matter on the Day. 

So, shouldn’t that which I lay upon this foundation and up to this cornerstone be quality? Shouldn’t I know if my life’s work is being measured accurately? Shouldn’t I care about making sure that I’m aligned and straight in direction?

Paul claimed to these believers that the quality of their life’s work will one day be manifest for all to see. Their life’s work will be revealed by fire and only that which will be able to stand against fire will be rewarded. 

My life’s work will either stand the test of fire or it will not. For that, I should care about the purpose and value of my life and my life’s work. 

A – I will be rewarded by the work I accomplish. I don’t want to build something different than what God is building. I want my life’s work to be manifested by His Spirit. I want my life to be one of spiritual quality and vitality. As a Christ follower I want my life’s work to be done in Christlike faith and obedience (3:10–11). I do not want my life’s work to be done in the flesh (3:1), for it will not be rewarded. 

R – Lord God, thank you for the foundation in which you laid and even given me the opportunity to lay upon it. Lord I pray my life’s work will honor you. I pray that I would continue to refocus and reprioritize my life to match your plan that you have prepared for your church. Help me to fight in faith my flesh (3:3). Continue to lead me in spiritual maturity. Grow me more and more into your image (3:7). I pray your Spirit would dwell and be evident in my life today (3:16) and my life’s work would be your last words.

In Jesus Name!