The Blue Church

The Christian and Self: Rights vs. Responsibilities --    Growth Principle #10 came from chapter eight: “The spiritually mature Christian lives for others, even in the practical affairs of life.” In this chapter, Paul uses himself as a means of illustrating that principle. He tells the freedom-loving Corinthians that even though he was an apostle, which meant that he had certain rights, he did not exercise all those rights. Why? Because not doing so resulted in more opportunity for the gospel, and so for others to be saved. Paul is not boasting here, but really defending his apostleship, since some in Corinth cast suspicions on his ministry. They reasoned that someone as “important” as an apostle should be living better that Paul did. Ironically, it was this humility that validated his apostleship, and which now he could point to as an example of loving others. Here’s what he says. . .

The Christian and Others: Learning vs. Loving 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 Some find chapters 8-10 a little hard to follow, but if considered together, we see they are about one thing: Idolatry, in general, and in particular, whether or not to eat meat which had been sacrificed in pagan temples. In chapter eight, Paul explains that even though to a thoroughly knowledgeable believer, an idol is nothing, others (new Christians) have not quite processed that thought. What about them? Then, in chapter nine, Paul uses himself as an example. Even though as an apostle, he is “free” on many levels, he voluntarily gives up those rights for the gospel, so that people will be saved. Chapter ten ties it all together, warning the arrogant, assuring the weak, and giving practical examples which show that we must do all things, even mundane eating and drinking, to the glory of God in the salvation of sinners. He concludes the section in 11:1 with, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” It’s all back to Jesus.

Passion, Purity, and Purpose --        What is it to be human? Genesis 1:27, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him, male and female He created them.” The first thing God says about us is that we are His, the second, that we exist as His image-bearers, and the third, that each of us is either male or female. It is as male and female that we are stewards of creation, and can “be fruitful and multiply.” Our sexuality, then, is not social construct, but creation order, not a burden, but a blessing, not a choice, but a destiny. No wonder that some of our greatest temptations come in this area, from Satan, society, and our own sin nature. Paul does not use the “Just say ‘No!’” approach, but as explains that our passion and purity are tied to God’s purposes for us: We are His possession, called to His holiness, and graced with His presence.