First Corinthians

Monday, December 30                                                            1 Corinthians 1:1-3

“To God’s church inCorinth”

     Paul began his letter, which would eventuallyhave in it some very stern criticism, with a reminder of the relationship whichhe and its recipients shared in God’s call. He was called “to be an Apostle of Jesus Christ” and they were called“to be saints.”  He had been sent by Godfor the specific purpose of taking the gospel of salvation to “Gentiles, kings,and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15-16). The mention of his apostleship was an affirmation of the authority whichGod had given him, and it was particularly significant in view of the fact thatthere were those in Corinth who questioned his authority.

     The same God who had called him to be anapostle had called his readers to be a different kind of people.  This is really what the phrase “sanctified inChrist Jesus” means.  The root idea isthat of separation – because the believer belongs to God, he or she has beenset apart for God.  To be called “to besaints” means to be invited into the Christian life by God’s invitation and notby some human initiative.

You have called me out of the world, Lord,and into life with you.  Amen.

Tuesday, December 31                                                            1 Corinthians 1:4-9

“God has enrichedyou in every way”

     It was Paul’shabit to encourage and praise those with whom he worked and he did not make anexception in this letter.  Even though hemight write primarily a letter of reproof he always began it with a section ofpraise.  Some people have even questionedPaul’s sincerity in this section, knowing the kinds of problems he would bedealing with in the body of the letter. But when we read the verses more carefully we see Paul’s focus is onwhat God had done in their lives.  Thesebrief words about what God had called them to become would be a great source ofencouragement as they dealt with the heavy burden of their shortcomings.

     First, they werethe objects of God’s love and grace, which is God’s unmerited favor.  Second, Christ had brought them spiritualriches, referring both to their conversion and to the spiritual growth they hadsubsequently experienced.  Third, God hadgiven them every spiritual gift necessary to do his work and be his church inCorinth.  Fourth, Paul reminded them ofthe ultimate hope they have in Jesus Christ, setting the problems they faced inthe context of eternity.

Ipraise you, Lord, for all the ways that you are good to me.  Amen.

Wednesday, January 1                                                         1Corinthians 1:10-17

“Let there be no division in the church”

     Immediatelyfollowing his opening words of encouragement, Paul begins with the problem ofdivision within the fellowship of the church. The fact that he puts this problem first and continues the discussionfor four chapters indicates that he feels it is of great importance.  First, he states the problem.  Second, he gives the original source of theinformation.  Third, he repeats thedivision slogans, “I am of . . .”  Thisis a great example of how to deal responsibly with a problem – be clear aboutwhat the problem is, identify how you became aware of the problem, and share asprecisely as you can what has been told you about the problem.

     Paul does notdirect his argument against any one faction but against all of the groups.  Instead, he attacks the spirit ofpartisanship which he feels could ultimately divide the church.  His larger concern was the quarrelsome attitudesto which their differences had given birth. He was not calling for uniformity of thought and action but for theoneness of spirit which binds the body of Christ together and allows it toperform its function of loving God and neighbor.

Bless our church,Lord, with unity of purpose to do your will. Amen.

Thursday, January 2                                                           1 Corinthians 1:18-23 

“The world will never know God through human wisdom” 

     There are times when Paul seems tointerrupt himself to explore a different subject before coming back to hisoriginal line of thought.  A casualreading of these verses might lead us to think that Paul is turning away fromhis discussion of divisions to pursue the subject of the gospel.  Rather, he is launching his criticisms byinsisting that the problems in the church are caused by false wisdom, by humanpride, and by loyalty to human leaders who seem wise to human eyes but arefoolish when it comes to the true nature of the gospel.

     While the gospel does not measure up toworldly standards, it is the only word of salvation to those who believe.  The church in every century has had toresist, sometimes not too successfully, the temptation to alter the gospel byeither adding to it or attempting to reduce it in some way, in order to make itmore palatable to those who will not accept the preaching of the cross.  As we preach and witness to the gospel ofChrist, it is imperative that we have the same confidence in it as Paul did: itis the power of God for salvation.

We will not alteryour gospel, Lord, to please an unbelieving world.  Amen.

 Friday, January 3                                                                               Isaiah 29:1-14

“The wisdom of thewise will perish”

     Jerusalem’s problem is that they believethey have immunity from judgment because they are the ones who truly worshipGod.  But, Isaiah says, their worship is worthlessbecause it is not from the heart.  Heeven goes so far as to say that their worship is not in response to God’srevealed will for them but made up by those who consider themselves wise in thethings of God.  They are trying tomanipulate God, not worshiping as an expression of their love for God.

     Consequently, Jerusalem’s religion hasbecome only a performance with themselves as the audience.  There is no real connection between theworshipers and the One being worshipped. They go through the motions with no expectation of any real encounterwith the living God.  Their religion haslost all sense of wonder.  So God says hewill astound them with wonders, but the clear implication is that it will be thewonder of the God they thought they had under their control suddenly burstingforth to reveal their foolishness.  Allthe “wisdom” of their religious leaders will be proven false.

I will worship as an expression of praise,Lord, not an attempt to manipulate.  Amen.

Saturday, January 4                                                             1 Corinthians 1:24-31

“Few of you werewise in the world’s eyes”

     By referring to the makeup of theCorinthian church, Paul now illustrates the principle that God takes what is foolishto our world and makes it wise.  While hedid not completely eliminate the possibility that there were a few culturallyand socially prominent members among them, he knew that the majority werewithout educational, social, cultural, or religious credentials.  They had little or no clout in society.

     Paul is not suggesting that these are theonly people God loves or that they are the only ones to whom the gospel isattractive.  Rather, he is illustratingout of the makeup of the congregation the fact that God is able to takeordinary people and do extraordinary things in the world through them.  The perspective of the centuries allows us tosee what must have been very difficult for many to believe – that the mostpowerful force in first-century Corinth was neither the political power of Romenor the cultural heritage of Greece, but the gospel of Jesus Christ which wouldchange the world.

Idraw wisdom for my life from my relationship with you, Jesus.  Amen.

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