When the Miraculous Becomes Mundane
1 Corinthians 10:1-22 // 3.5.22
Somtimes the miracles of being invited into God’s family, of being given a new heart, and of being freed from the power and penalty of sin lose their sweetness. Sometimes the daily dirge of life lulls our affections for Christ to sleep and we fail to keep watch over our souls – allowing Satan the space and freedom to pull us back into the lives from which we were set free. This is why Paul calls anyone who thinks he stands to take heed lest he fall.
Why Should We Pay The Pastor?
1 Corinthians 9:1-14 // 2.19.23
While it was incredibly awkward to approach this subject, I know that it was important. My church has been generous with me over the (almost) 2 decades that I have served as a staff member. But more churches need to heed Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians to allow those who labor in the church to make their living from the church.
Christian Love In The Gray Areas
1 Corinthians 8:1-14 // 2.12.23
After much conversation about marriage, singleness, and sexual immorality, Pauls moves, in chapter 8, to the topic of meat sacrificed to idols. And while this might not seem à propos to the modern reader, the issue is critial for the church at all times. There are behaviors and preferences that the Bible neither promotes nor prohibits - gray areas. And followers of Jesus can exercise freedom in these areas so long as we do not break the law of love and cause a brother to stumble.
Compassionate Correction
1 Corinthians 4:14-21 // 11.13.22
When God made us human, he deemed us very good. From the very beginning, we were made to flourish in relationship with one another. God has designed the local church to function like a family – we need one another. And one of the ways that we love and care for one another in this family is to submit ourselves to the compassionate correction of one another in order that we might be holy individually and collectively as the bride of Christ.