July 14
________________________________________
AVOIDING LAWSUITS AMONG BELIEVERS
Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous and not before the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? If the world is judged by you, are you not competent to form the smallest law courts? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more matters of this life? 4 So if you have law courts dealing with matters of this life, do you appoint them as judges who are of no account in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not among you anyone wise who will be able to decide between his brothers and sisters, 6 but brother goes to law with brother, and that before unbelievers? 7 Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather suffer the wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 On the contrary, you yourselves do wrong and defraud. – 1 Corinthians 6:1-8
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul confronts once again the Corinthian church of their trivial issues that cause the members of this church to be divided. In verse 1, he raises a question to the family of believers about bringing to court their insignificant issues. He is rebuking them for not dealing with the issues at hand in a loving and wise way. The members of this church were having disputes that they become so petty to bring it to the higher courts. Paul wants them to realize that believers are given the chance to judge the world, or even angels. In verse 3, he reiterates the authority given to those who serve Christ. If the believer has been given the Holy Spirit to live inside him, then he has the gift of wisdom to discern and recognize what is right or wrong and what is loving or not.
He questions them in verse 4 about leaving matters to be decided upon by those who do not belong to the church. Of course, Paul doesn’t discount the importance of government and civil laws. What he is trying to address here were the reports that reached him regarding the unimportant quarrels that could easily be resolved among their fellow believer. In verse 7, he points out to them that he considers it a defeat when they are doing this immature and unloving way to deal with differences among their brothers and sisters in Christ. He was stressing the point that it is better to be cheated on rather than bring it to human courts. It would only show that the family of believers are not united in their understanding of God’s laws.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• What does lawsuits among fellow believers reveal to unbelievers and the world?
Tag Archives: Christian blog
JUDGING BELIEVERS, NOT UNBELIEVERS ILMA’S BLOG
July 13
________________________________________
JUDGING BELIEVERS, NOT UNBELIEVERS
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people; 10 I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world. 11 But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is a sexually immoral person, or a greedy person, or an idolater, or is verbally abusive, or habitually drunk, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a person. 12 For what business of mine is it to judge outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE EVIL PERSON FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul clarifies what he meant when he rebuked believers who tolerate sins in the church. He wasn’t talking about those who are unbelievers or those who do not know the Lord, he knows that God is the only one to judge those who are unbelievers, just like he said in verse 13. Paul even asks a rhetorical question in verse 12 “Do you not judge those who are within the church?” What he meant by this statement is that we are supposed to rebuke and correct each other when our brothers or sisters in Christ are sinning just as Matthew 18:15 reiterates. It says : “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. So, what is Paul is actually implying in this letter when he confronted those who tolerate this sinful believer who has sexual relationship with his father’s wife? He is addressing that they do not care enough to correct someone who is living in sin, thereby contaminating the purity of other believers. It also shakes their faith when they see sin being tolerated.
Paul wants them to confront sins that he enumerated in verse 11 such as sexual immorality, greed, idolatry, verbal abuse, habitual drinking, or swindling. If they were not believers, he had no right to judge them, but if they claim to be Christians and engage in these sins, then, he has to judge them so they can repent and return to God. He wants the evil person to be removed from the body of Christ.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why are some believers afraid to confront sins of fellow believers in the body?
UNLEAVENED BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH ILMA’S VLOG
July 12
________________________________________
UNLEAVENED BREAD OF SINCERITY AND TRUTH
6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough? 7 Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. 8 Therefore let’s celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. – 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul deals with the sin of arrogance and boasting. Previous to this part of his letter, he was calling out a brother in Christ who was in the Corinthian church who was engaging in a sexual sin with his father’s wife. In those times, some men have multiple wives but it doesn’t mean that God approved that. Deuteronomy 17:17 says: “And he shall not acquire many wives for himself, so that his heart does not turn away; nor shall he greatly increase silver and gold for himself.” The Old Testament mentions some men who had over one wife such as many important figures like Esau (Gen 26:34; 28:6-9), Jacob (Gen 29:15-28), Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:1-8), David (1 Samuel 25:39-44; 2 Samuel 3:2-5; 5:13-16), and Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3) so, we can assume that some men in the Corinthian church that probably had over one wife. This man that Paul called out must have had a father who had over one wife aside from his own mother.
In this part of his letter, Paul emphasizes the importance of keeping a sanctified life for every believer. He confronts those members of the church who tolerates this man who committed sexual sin with his father’s wife. He wants them to understand that when the whole bunch of believers are corrupted by just even one sinner, it will affect other believers and compromise their purity. Paul likens it to making bread, where a little leaven affects the whole lump of dough. He advises them to cleanse themselves from the old leaven so they can be a new lump just like they were unleavened. He reminds them of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross that made the old leaven a new one. In other words, the only way we can have a new life, is by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In verse 8, he tells the Corinthian church to celebrate with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth instead of the old leaven of malice and wickedness. This is how important it is for all the believers to joyfully wear their new nature in Christ and give up all the old sinful ways that isn’t becoming of a true believer. This is why he rebukes those who were arrogant in tolerating the sinful believer in their church at Corinth.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it important to wear Christ and never let ourselves be corrupted by sin?
PAUL ADMONISHES THE CORINTHIANS OF SPIRITUAL PRIDE ILMA’S BLOG
July 10
________________________________________
PAUL ADMONISHES THE CORINTHIANS OF SPIRITUAL PRIDE
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant, but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in words, but in power. 21 What do you desire? That I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
– 1 Corinthians 4:14-20
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul reproves the Corinthian church as a father would reprimand a child. He considers them like his own children. He is concerned that they were dazzled by many other teachers telling them about the gospel. He simply reminds them that his love for them is like the love of a father to his own children. It is very different from the reproof they get from other teachers. As a father would expect his own children, he admonishes them to imitate what he does. He was setting an example for them to emulate. He wants them to follow the way that Christ has taught him.
In verse 17, he mentions sending Timothy, his beloved spiritual son so that they can be reminded of how Paul’s way was and so that they won’t be misled by the carnal temptations around them. He mentions to them that he teaches the same gospel and the same truth in the other churches as well so there is no reason to be jealous or envious because he treats all believers the same.
In verse 19, he targets their arrogance in presuming that Paul wasn’t coming over there for some reason that they concocted or assumed. He straightens out their wrong thinking by re-directing their attention on the kingdom power which is only attained by a complete dependence on God on everything. He wanted them to give up their self-reliance and their dependence on their own understanding. Spiritual pride and arrogance is prevalent in many churches today. We could have a good reminder from Paul about this sin problem that is so present in many churches that have chosen a wrong path.________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why should we be mindful of spiritual pride as a sin that easily trips us up?
THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN YOU ILMA’S VLOG
July 7
________________________________________
THE TEMPLE OF GOD IN YOU
16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys the temple of God, God will destroy that person; for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. 18 Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is THE ONE WHO CATCHES THE WISE BY THEIR CRAFTINESS”; 20 and again, “THE LORD KNOWS THE THOUGHTS of the wise, THAT THEY ARE useless.” 21 So then, no one is to be boasting in people. For all things belong to you, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. – 1 Corinthians 3:16-23
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul reminds the believers that their bodies are the temple of God since the Spirit of God lives inside them. Because they are God’s temple, they cannot be destroyed. If anyone try to hurt God’s temple, God will deal with those who try to hurt it. Paul explains how it is important to remember that as the temple of God, we need to keep pure and holy.
In verse 18, Paul reminds them to make sure that they are not deceived by those who think they are wise. He cautions those who think they are wise that they need to be humble enough to admit that they aren’t wise so that they can become wise. This almost sounds bizarre for the world to understand. Paul explains further in verse 19 that the world’s wisdom is unlike God’s wisdom. God knows everything so, it is of no use to boast about anything they know since everything belongs to God anyway. He reiterates the importance of gratitude to the one who gave us all, our Lord Jesus Christ.
In the world we currently live in today, many people forget the source of life and everything we have. We become so performance-oriented individuals because that is how the world wants it. It is all about competition and performance. Our fallen nature tends to go with the world system’s concept of salvation. We think that we can contribute something to our salvation when in reality, there is nothing we can ever do to do that. Paul reminds us to never forget where we came from, how we need God and how to be grateful to Him for all that he had done for us. We forget to remember that we ought to keep ourselves pure so we can be used for God’s purpose alone.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• How can we keep God’s temple pure and holy for His purpose alone?
SOLID FOUNDATION IN JESUS CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
July 6
________________________________________
SOLID FOUNDATION IN JESUS CHRIST
10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each person must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13 each one’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each one’s work. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire. – 1 Corinthians 3:10-15
________________________________________
According to matterchristi.com, Houses in ancient Nazareth were made with a rough stone foundation and mud-bricks made on site. In this letter, Paul alludes to Christ as the Master builder. But he also says here that he is also one, but he builds on what Jesus laid a foundation to. In verse 11, he reminds the believers that no one else can lay that foundation except the Lord Jesus. He is the solid stone foundation that everything else in the church is built on.
In verse 12, Peter tells the believers that the other builders that work with the Master builder must ensure that whatever materials they use, it must anchor itself on the stone foundation. The material they choose to use will be tested through fire to ensure that they stand strong through time. What Paul is referring to here is the kind of work that the servant of the Lord does for the kingdom of God.
If the builder’s work is based on the teaching of Jesus, then it will manifest fruits that only comes from preaching the true gospel that leads to salvation. Sadly, many churches today look more like any other human organizations rather than the body of Christ. False teachings have crept in our churches today that the message of Christ is not being preached, let alone followed and lived. Paul warns us about the dangers of calling attention to ourselves and our efforts to bring the gospel to others. If it doesn’t point to Jesus and give him praise, it will likely be a self-focused effort.
In verse 14, we are given the hope that there is a reward for abiding in the truth and the foundation of this church who is Jesus Christ. Let us never forget that without the foundation of Jesus, we will all collapse into ruin and destruction.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why must we always abide in Christ and make sure that we glorify him always?
REVELATION ONLY THROUGH THE SPIRIT ILMA’S VLOG
July 2
________________________________________
REVELATION ONLY THROUGH THE SPIRIT
10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So, also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. – 2 Corinthians 1:10-13
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul emphasizes the divine nature of the Spirit. It is through the Spirit that we can understand things and get what God’s word really mean. It is through the Spirit of God that we learn to examine and understand things about us and the truth that only comes from God’s word. It is interesting to know that many of us, do not even recognize the importance of the role of the Holy Spirit in the triune God. In this letter, Paul explicitly gives us an illustration of how powerless and defeated we would be without God’s Spirit.
In verse 11, Paul tells us that no one knows a person’s thoughts except the spirit of the person residing inside him. He likewise says that it is the same with God’s Spirit, only the Holy Spirit knows God’s thoughts. Paul reminds all the believers in verse 12 that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ receives the Holy Spirit who gives them freely the revelations and understanding given by God. In verse 13, Paul says that the revelations we get from the Holy Spirit is unlike our human wisdom, but they are a combination of thoughts coming from God’s Spirit and spoken in the power of the Spirit of God.
Some people think that when they read something, they have the ability to understand it thoroughly. This is a very dangerous things to do. Philippians 4:8 says that we only think of whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, and whatever is worthy of praise. These are the only allowed thoughts by the Spirit of the Lord. Why? Because these are the thoughts that bring glory to God alone and protects every believer from the corruption that comes from the impurities of the world. The more we think of these things, the more we will hear what the Spirit of God reveals to us. The more we think of worldly things, the more we will make our flesh come to life which opposes God’s Spirit.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think many of us rely so much on our own understanding?
GOD’S WISDOM GRANTED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM ILMA’S VLOG
July 1
________________________________________
GOD’S WISDOM GRANTED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM
6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written: “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND WHICH HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HUMAN HEART, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” – 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
________________________________________
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he clearly delineates the difference of human wisdom with God’s wisdom. In verse 6, he identifies the criteria how we can be granted wisdom from God. Spiritual maturity is the key to be able to acknowledge the revelations that God grants those who love him. This wisdom is very different from the world’s point of view. It is not accumulation of information for one’s benefit, but it is truth that comes from the word of God that is used to bring God all the praise and glory.
I quote Morris in reference to “rulers of this age”. He says “This debate goes all the way back to the time of Origen and Chrysostom. On the surface, it seems clear that the rulers of this age must refer to human rulers, because only they didn’t know what they were doing when they incited the crucifixion of Jesus. “Paul habitually ascribes power to the demonic forces, but not ignorance.”
In verse 9, Paul refers to Isaiah 64:4 where the prophet says that from of old, no one has heard or perceived by the ear and no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him. Paul is saying that it is only a divine act that can make any human understand or see what is going on in the spirit realm. We are all limited to see or comprehend beyond our understanding, but the Holy Spirit can equip us with wisdom if we abide and love the Lord with all our heart, mind and soul. Our fallen nature prohibits us from seeing what the Spirit brings us. That is why we need Jesus so much in our lives so that we can get revelations and discern what God is saying. Notice that Paul clearly states the importance of a heart that longs for Jesus. Matthew 6:21 says “for where your treasure is, there your heart will also be.” If we don’t treasure Jesus, our hearts will not be ready to accept him and all the wisdom he gives.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why is it impossible to have God’s wisdom when we don’t serve him?
DETERMINED TO KNOW NOTHING EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
June 30
________________________________________
DETERMINED TO KNOW NOTHING EXCEPT JESUS CHRIST
And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, I did not come as someone superior in speaking ability or wisdom, as I proclaimed to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 3 I also was with you in weakness and fear, and in great trembling, 4 and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of mankind, but on the power of God. – 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul shows us how to live the life of a believer. He reminds the believers in Corinth of how he brought the gospel to them. He said that when he came to preach the Good News, he didn’t use eloquent words to show his wisdom, but proclaimed God’s testimony. In Paul’s days, there were so much focus on knowledge and wisdom. Though we know that Paul’s background as a Pharisee exemplifies him to be very knowledgeable in the Torah he didn’t use Because the Lord Jesus Christ transformed Paul from a worldly powerful man, to a humble servant of God, he couldn’t continue to use his knowledge the way he used to when he was a Pharisee. In verse 2, Paul’s determination to shift his focus from the world and remove everything that is not going to give God the glory and pursue the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ alone. His persistence to focus his entire life in the quest to know Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross is astounding. How many believers can follow this passion for knowing God?
In verse 3, he reminds the Corinthian church of how he was one with them in weakness, fear and trembling because they were relying on the Lord alone. He didn’t use persuasive speech but allowed the Holy Spirit to use him to say the right words that God alone provides. Paul knows that the world uses knowledge and wisdom to attract attention to themselves and he would have nothing to with those ways.
In our world today, human knowledge and wisdom becomes like modern day idols. We want to know things so that people can look up to us and we can feel important. This is not the way of the Lord. In God’s economy, we rely on God’s power and wisdom and strength. We present the gospel only in the way that is true and right. This is why we have been given Scriptures so that we won’t get waylaid in our Christian walk towards eternity.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Share an experience how your passion to know Christ have led you to truth.
GOD MOCKS HUMAN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING ILMA’S VLOG
June 28
________________________________________
GOD MOCKS HUMAN WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE WHO HAVE UNDERSTANDING, I WILL CONFOUND.” 20 Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block, and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.
– 1 Corinthians 1:18-25
________________________________________
In this letter, Paul specifies very clearly how human wisdom is not like God’s wisdom. In verse 18, he states those who are unbelievers or who do not know God are going to perish for they do not understand the wisdom of the cross of Christ, but to those who are saved, it is the most powerful thing. In verse 19, Paul clearly reiterates an Old Testament verse in Isaiah 29:14 where God destroys the wisdom of the wise and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden. He seems to confront those who loves human wisdom so much such as the scribes and the debaters of his time, whose pre-occupation is to boast about how much they know. In verse 21, Paul mentions how God mocks these people who depends so much on their understanding that he deprived them of knowing God because it only understands the world. In verse 22, Paul exposes the foolishness of the Jew who seeks signs while the Greeks search for worldly wisdom. Isn’t it so ridiculous to watch these people who are blinded to think that they know many things and yet, they do not understand the cross of Christ? They rely so much on what they know that they fail to comprehend what sacrifice Jesus did on the cross for humanity. Paul gives us the reason in verse 24 why this is so. Only those elected by God would know him and all the truth that he reveals only to them. What a privilege and honor it is to be those selected by God himself to have a glimpse of his wisdom by believing Jesus Christ!
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why does God mock those who think they know and understand things?