Day 6 - 1 Cor 3

-
Observations/Meaning

  • Paul says that it is not wise to give advanced teachings to young and immature Christians. This is evident in how they quarrel about which specific christian leader they follow (v1-4)
  • However Paul says that in fact all Christian teachers are assigned by the Lord and it is actually God who does the growing in the people - NOT the leader. In fact Paul states that we are merely the workers in God's field and his building (v5-9)
  • When we work for Christ by laying the foundation and then God is the one who works and builds upon it (v10)
  • However it is important to note that we MUST lay the foundation that is Christ Jesus and nothing else. Any foundation (or work) done out of fleshly and worldly motivations is like wood, hay and straws which will burn and not survive. However, work that is out of Christlike faith and obedience will survive and be rewarded (v11-12)
  • Although Christians have already been saved, it doesn't mean we won't be judged, in fact it means we will still be judged by our works and rewarded accordingly (v14-15)
  • We should humble ourselves because the wisdom of this world is foolish. So we should not boast or be arrogant as it is the root of divisiveness. Paul teaches that we are ultimately belong to God and so should only boast in God (v18-23)
Application
  1. God is the one who grows people, not me. Especially when serving, I need to remember it isn't about me and it isn't about what I can do, it is God's work that ultimately changes hearts.
  2. When teaching others, ensure that my foundation is Christ and not worldly things and ambitions


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

James 5:13-20

-
Key points When we're suffering our first response should be prayer When we're cheerful our first response should be praise A prayer of faith will save the one who is sick A prayer of faith is also how we repent and He forgives our sins We are encouraged to pray for one another so that we might all be healed There is comfort in knowing that the prayer of a righteous person (we are all righteous through Christ) has GREAT power We are encouraged to bring others who may have strayed from the path, back to the correct path Reflection I often don't look to God when I first face trouble or struggles. I should be comforted in knowing that when I go to God, he posses great power to actually respond and listen to my prayer I should be regularly praying for others and their sins (this involves asking others how to pray for them) When things are going well - am I praising God or myself?
Read more

Philippians 3:12-21 ~ In this world but not of this world

-
v12) Paul admits that he is not perfect even as he commits to a life of servitude - shows what true humility is  Paul reminds us that we are God's children and that he adopts us and therefore owns us v13-14) Paul describes his walk with Christ as him "straining forward" We are to expect this walk with Christ to be difficult However we forget what lies behind because Christ has already redeemed and saved us from it We continue to press on to the goal that is the upward call of Christ v16) We should hold true and fast to what we have attained That is, God's word and his salvation through Jesus v17-18) We should imitate Paul and his walk and faith in Christ we should also look towards those who walk faithfully (brothers and sisters) v19) For enemies of Christ, the end is destruction - no matter how much joy they have while on this earth Their god is their own fleshly desires and they set their mind on earthly things v20-21) But our citizenship is in heaven We are in this...
Read more

Day 11 - Imitating other Christians (1 Cor 4)

-
Observations God will judge everyone. We should remember that it isn't us who judges people in their final day, it is in fact God.Therefore, we should not jpronounce judgement before the Lord comes. In fact, God will reveal and bring to light any darkness and will disclose all purposes of the heart  (v2-5) We should not put our own understanding beyond what is actually said in the Word of God. In fact, Paul is saying to the Corinthians that they have actually forgotten that all they have is from God - and therefore they should not boast.  Paul then asks what do you have that you did not receive?  - repeatedly asking this question fosters deep humility and thanksgiving (v6-7) Paul implores us to imitate him and in fact, God has designed us to imitate other Christians, imperfect though they may be (v16) Imitating Paul as Paul imitates Christ Application Deep humility comes from repeatedly acknowledging that everything I have received I have received because o...
Read more