August 1
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GOD PROVIDES A WAY OUT WHEN WE ARE TEMPTED
6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them. 7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND TO DRINK, AND ROSE UP TO PLAY.” 8 Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:6-13
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In this letter of Paul, he cautions the Corinthian believers on learning from the Israelites’ evil ways. He told them that they should not lust for evil things as the Israelites did. Paul enumerates the following evil things that they must not do:
• Do not bow down to other gods – As the Israelites did, they got impatient and took other gods to worship. Paul reminds them that this angers God.
• Do not engage in sexual immorality -As the Israelites did and 23, 000 fell in one day.
• Do not put the Lord to the test -As the Israelites did and were killed by snakes.
• Do not grumble -As the Israelites did and they were destroyed.
The reason why Paul is reproving the Corinthian believers and using the Israelites as an example is so that they will learn of the consequences of what craving for evil things will do to them. He reminds them that the things that the Israelites suffered from are lessons that every believer needs to learn from.
In verse 12-13, he warns those who think they are proud or they will fall. He also reassures the believers that no matter what suffering or adversities they face, let them not lose hope for God will provide a way out for all those who belong to him. It is a way for them to endure and thus grow their faith. Hopelessness and desperation is not something that God’s people engage in. A believer places their trust in the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to endure and not be hopeless in trials and suffering?
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GOD’S DISPLAY OF LOVE AND PROVISION FOR HIS PEOPLE ILMA’S VLOG
August 1
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GOD’S DISPLAY OF LOVE AND PROVISION FOR HIS PEOPLE
For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea; 2 and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and they all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness. – 1 Corinthians 10:1-5
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Paul reminds the Corinthian believers of God’s faithfulness to deliver his people described in Exodus 13:21-22 (21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. 22 The pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people.) The sea mentioned here is the Red Sea where God protected the Israelites from the Egyptians and parted it so they could pass through it without the Egyptians stopping them to go to the Promised Land (Exodus 14:21-31). This was a showcase of God’s love and power to deliver and protect his people. By passing through the water, all of the Israelites were identified with Moses, which was a picture of baptism.
In verse 3 Paul mentions the providence of God to the Israelites in the wilderness and he was quoting Exodus 16 where God provided them with the manna and verse 4 mentions the spiritual drink that were from a spiritual rock. Once again, Paul quoted Exodus 17:6 where it says “Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” Psalm 78:15 says that
“He split the rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as abundant as the seas.” When Paul mentions that the rock was Christ, he probably meant that Christ was with them in the wilderness as they journeyed to the Promised Land. That Christ Himself followed them through the difficulties they were faced with and that they were never forsaken or abandoned. In verse 5, Paul reminds them of the disobedience and idolatry that the Israelites sinned against God. Despite the commandments and provisions laid out to them, they still continued to go their own ways. This was displeasing to God. Since they disobeyed the Lord, these Israelites never came to the Promised Land, but died in the wilderness. This was a consequence of their breaking the commandments of God.
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REFLECTION
• Why did Paul refer to God’s display of provision and power to His chosen people?
RUN AIMFULLY TO WIN THE RACE ILMA’S VLOG
July 30
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RUN AIMFULLY TO WIN THE RACE
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So, they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
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According to quora.com, during the life and times of Jesus Christ, (c. A.D. 1 – A.D. 34,) the sports that were played by citizens of the Roman Empire were like today’s sports in that they were also played professionally. The kinds of sports that were played by men during the life of Christ were as follows: dice rolling, foot-racing, archery, boxing, wrestling, an early variation of soccer, javelin throwing, discus throwing, and the high-jump. The women of the empire participated in athletics as well, namely, competitive dancing competitions. No wonder that Paul gave an illustration of a sporting event like a race in this letter to the Corinthian believers.
In verse 24, Paul reminds them that despite the many participants in the race, in the end, only one wins the prize. So, he advised the believers to run to win. Training is involved in any preparation for the race. Self-control and discipline are very much needed to prepare oneself to compete and be fit to finish the game. Self-control is defined by Merriam Webster dictionary as restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions or actions. Discipline on the other hand is defined as an orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern or behavior. In verse 26, Paul he points out the importance of aiming or setting a goal to oneself so they do not run without aiming. When I was in my country of origin, turned my love for cycling into an almost professional level. I biked 60 kilometers daily to keep fit and enjoy the exhilaration of biking. On weekends, I cycled with a club of over 50 men and I was the only woman cyclist. I did this for almost a decade and got offered to be trained to compete internationally but I had a teaching career and was raising a son then. The love for the sports and the discipline I persevered to pursue reaped fruits of health benefits and gave me endurance. Paul was likening the race to our Christian walk to eternity. We train ourselves to make our bodies slave to our purpose so that we will not be disqualified to finish the race. Living life is like a race, you face all kinds of obstacles that need to be completed.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important to be purposeful and disciplined in serving our Lord Jesus?
DOING ALL THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL ILMA’S VLOG
July 29
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DOING ALL THINGS FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOSPEL
19 For though I am free from all people, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may gain more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without the Law, I became as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. – 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
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In this letter, Paul reveals the ministry that God has given him: to preach the gospel to all people. Earlier in the letter, he mentions that he wasn’t fighting for his rights to be supported by anyone. This is the freedom he is referring to in verse 19. But ironically, he poses two opposing concepts here. In verse 19, he says that he is free from being dependent on the support of other believers, but he has become a slave to the believers by working to bring them the Good News. He is a slave for the sake of the gospel that is why he wouldn’t want to be paid. The fact that he is serving his Lord, is enough payment for him.
He further gives more examples of how he has submitted to his calling as a preacher of the gospel in verses 20-22. In other words, Paul adapted to the varying groups of people that he presents the gospel to. To the Jews, he did what he can to see their perspective and present the gospel in a way that they will not resist it. In verse 20, he explains that he became one as under the law so that he will be able to open the minds of those who are law-abiding people to see God’s truth. In verse 22, he mentions also the weak, where he needed to show them his weaknesses so that he may gain their confidence to have an open heart to receive the gospel. He did this all without compromising his faith in Jesus.
In verse 23, he confesses the reason why he does all these sacrifices. He claims that he will do all things for the gospel to reach all people so that he himself will receive that eternal reward of being with His Redeemer.
Once again, we witness the faithfulness of Paul to do whatever he can to bring the gospel to the entire world by exercising resilience and openness but never compromising his faith and calling.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think some Christians have not truly done everything for the sake of the gospel?
PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS ILMA’S VLOG
July 26
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PAUL’S DEFENSE TO THE CORINTHIAN BELIEVERS
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not consume some of the milk of the flock? – 1 Corinthians 9:1-6
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In an introduction to the First Corinthians book, it mentions that the Corinthian church was immersed in a city associated with trade but also with corruption and immorality. These believers were having a hard time to use their spiritual gifts to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. In this letter, Paul addresses the issue of the believer’s doubt regarding his apostolic authority and his right to be supported by the Corinthian believers. Previous to this chapter, Paul dealt with their insistence to eat meat offered to the gods as they were accustomed to. In these following passages, he speaks on his defense as a worker of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul confronts their doubt about the validity of his spiritual authority and why they think that he as his other apostles have to be supported by those whom they minister to.
Paul speaks brilliantly in this letter when he defended himself as being free, not serving any other authority but only the Lord Jesus Christ himself. He points out to them in verse 1 that they have witnessed the work of the Lord in him as they are recipients of his ministry. Like a lawyer, bringing out his case to the Corinthian believers, he lays down his case to them. He has not demanded anything from them and have forgone his rights that he is actually entitled to claim. He gave them questions in verse 6 that exposes their doubting hearts regarding the rights of a worker to be paid or a gardener to gather a harvest from his hard-earned work, or a shepherd who can consume some of the milk that the sheep he tends gives out. Like all these workers, the spiritual ministry he does also needs to be supported by those who are recipients of the ministry of Christ. The Corinthian believers showed a lack of generosity for the work of the Lord in the apostles. They clearly exhibit a worldly mentality that shows the corruption in their hearts.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for Christians to support the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ?
WOUNDING THE WEAK IS A SIN AGAINST CHRIST ILMA’S VLOG
July 25
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WOUNDING THE WEAK IS A SIN AGAINST CHRIST
7 However, not all people have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Now food will not bring us close to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. 9 But take care that this freedom of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will his conscience, if he is weak, not be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols? 11 For through your knowledge the one who is weak is ruined, the brother or sister for whose sake Christ died. 12 And so, by sinning against the brothers and sisters and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to sin. – 1 Corinthians 8:7-13
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Let me refer to the council at Jerusalem where things were clarified regarding the guidelines for the Gentiles who became believers. Acts 15:19 says that “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God. 20 Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood. 21 For the law of Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath.”
In this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he continues to enlighten the believers about their query on eating foods offered to idols. Even though this letter is written probably ahead of the Acts of the Apostles, they are tackling the same issues on following the Mosaic laws. Paul is addressing the deeper issues lying around this question regarding food. In verse 8, we hear Paul points out that food isn’t the issue here. It is being wary of the freedom that they have received in Christ that it doesn’t become a hindrance for the Gentile believers who are still weak in their faith to be confused or sin. In verse 10, he addresses those who are mature in their Christian walk to be watchful about being legalistic about these things concerning foods that were offered to idols. What good would it do if a baby Christian who is used to his or her custom become judged harshly by a mature believer? Paul says that they can ruin the new believer who is still very weak and may lose their faith. It is a sin against Christ if the weaker believer is ruined.
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REFLECTION
• Why was Paul very adamant to exercise wisdom in dealing with weak Christians?
REMINDERS ON MARRYING OFF & RE-MARRIAGE ILMA’S VLOG
July 23
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REMINDERS ON MARRYING OFF & RE-MARRIAGE
36 But if anyone thinks that he is acting dishonorably toward his virgin, if she is past her youth and it ought to be so, let him do what he wishes, he is not sinning; let them marry. 37 But the one who stands firm in his heart, if he is not under constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart, to keep his own virgin, he will do well. 38 So then, both the one who gives his own virgin in marriage does well, and the one who does not give her in marriage will do better.
39 A wife is bound as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my opinion, she is happier if she remains as she is; and I think that I also have the Spirit of God. – 1 Corinthians 7:36-40
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In this letter to the Corinthians, Paul answers the question of the Corinthian church whether the fathers should arrange a marriage for their daughter. According to a commentary “anyone” mentioned in verse 36 here refers to the father of a young woman or man of marrying age (his virgin). Acting dishonorably toward his virgin has nothing to do with any kind of improper moral behavior, but with denying his daughter or son the right to marry, based on the way Paul values singleness. In that culture, a young person’s parents had the primary responsibility for arranging their marriage. So, based on what Paul has already taught, should a Christian father recommend celibacy to his child? Paul says it is not wrong for a father to allow his young daughter to marry, even allowing for the desirability of singleness at the present time. In verse 37, Paul recommends being single not only to the unmarried but also to the fathers when they marry off their daughters.
In verse 38, Paul explains that it is neither good nor bad to marry off their daughters or not, but that because of the current distress going on in Corinth, they will be better off to stay unmarried. In verses 39-40, Paul addresses the question about remarriage to the widows. He reminds the women that they are married to their husbands for life but are free to re-marry after they die, but he recommends to stay unmarried after because then, they will be undistracted to serve their Lord God wholeheartedly and undividedly.
It may baffle many unbelievers why Paul recommends singlehood for believers, but I understand that he is making them see that there is less worldly concerns for the single because the married people are bound to please their spouses and family.
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REFLECTION
• How is Paul right in recommending singlehood to serve God more faithfully?
UNDISTRACTED DEVOTION TO THE LORD ILMA’S VLOG
July 22
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UNDISTRACTED DEVOTION TO THE LORD
32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; 33 but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. The woman who is unmarried, and the virgin, is concerned about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to put a restraint on you, but to promote what is appropriate and to secure undistracted devotion to the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
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In the earlier verses of this letter of Paul to the Corinthians, he had been advising the Corinthian believers to stay unmarried or be where they are when they are called by the Lord. In this part of his letter, he warns them from being distracted by many concerns in the world. He presented a comparison of the married versus the unmarried in terms of their distractions and priorities. Paul says in verse 32 that he wishes them all to be free from many concerns. In verses 33-34, he illustrates the ways that marriage can bring some distractions in the believer’s life. He points out that the married wife or husband’s interests are divided. The unmarried man or woman is concerned with the things of the Lord and can give their full attention to serving the Lord, whereas the married man or woman have to fulfill their duties to their spouses which may bring a conflict in interest. It can compete with one’s priority and attention that should be wholeheartedly given to the Lord. There are less responsibilities and duties to a single person rather than those with spouses and children.
I can attest to the distraction that marriage can bring to one’s walk with the Lord. It is very easy for us to please the one we married and make them first than the Lord. Of course, Paul wasn’t prohibiting marriage, but merely pointing out how easily we can make our spouses and children idols that may compete with making the Lord first in everything. Before I was truly saved, my life was focused on serving my husband rather than making the Lord first. I am thankful to the Lord that He has corrected this. Now, my husband knows that my Lord comes first in my life. He knows I love him but my love for my Master can never compare with my love for anyone else. It took a while before he understood what that meant. We must seek to secure undistracted devotion to our Lord and Savior.
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REFLECTION
• How can married people avoid making idols of their spouses?
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE UNMARRIED ILMA’S VLOG
July 21
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INSTRUCTIONS TO THE UNMARRIED
25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command of the Lord, but I am offering direction as one who by the mercy of the Lord is trustworthy. 26 I think, then, that this is good in view of the present distress, that it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Yet such people as yourselves will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you. 29 But this I say, brothers, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none; 30 and those who weep, as though they did not weep; and those who rejoice, as though they did not rejoice; and those who buy, as though they did not possess; 31 and those who use the world, as though they did not make full use of it; for the present form of this world is passing away. – 1 Corinthians 7:25-31
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In this letter, Paul addresses the unmarried. He uses the word virgin both for men and women who haven’t been committed to someone in a covenant. Paul wrote this letter approximately in the year 53-54 AD according to some bible introductions to this book. Persecutions of believers started and Stephen had been martyred. Roman Emperor Nero began his cruel persecutions of Christians. During these times, it was completely illegal to be a Christian in the Roman Empire. To declare that you are a follower of Jesus was considered a capital crime against the state of Rome. It was during these “distressed” times that Paul wrote this letter. Eusebius, a Christian who wrote a history of the early church in around 300 AD wrote a description of the unthinkable torture and executions of early believers. Husbands, wives, children, the elderly, pastors or anyone who admitted that they were a follower of Christ, would be denied disowned by their own families because of the impact it would have on their own lives. They were almost considered criminals against the Roman Empire.
It is in this context that Paul instructs the single men and women of the body of believers. He says that the Lord has not commanded this, but because of such circumstances they are experiencing. He is advising the unmarried to stay single and to stay put whatever situation they are at that moment. Being a follower of Jesus has presented many challenges because of the Roman oppression of faith in Jesus. Paul isn’t discouraging marriage, but presents the advantages of remaining single in the time of distress.
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REFLECTION
• Is Paul’s advice to the unmarried still applicable in our current times now? How?
REMAIN WITH GOD IN THE CONDITION YOU WERE CALLED ilma’s vlog
REMAIN WITH GOD IN THE CONDITION YOU WERE CALLED
17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this way let him walk. And so, I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each person is to remain in that state in which he was called. 21 Were you called as a slave? Do not let it concern you. But if you are also able to become free, take advantage of that. 22 For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord’s freed person; likewise, the one who was called as free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of people. 24 Brothers and sisters, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24
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In this part of Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he explains the importance of remaining with God whatever condition you were experiencing when you were called. If you were called when you were single or married, rich or poor, educated or uneducated, slave or free, you need to stay with the Lord and continue to serve him and be used by him for his kingdom purpose. Paul mentions circumcision and uncircumcision as an example here. He knows that the Jews place so much emphasis on the importance of circumcision before they can be accepted. Paul is not discounting their adherence to their Mosaic laws as long as they don’t impose their laws as a requirement to be called in God’s kingdom. Paul’s ministry focused on bringing the gospel to the Gentiles as well. Circumcision and slavery is not the topic in this part of his letter. He was actually reminding those who are called to serve Christ to remain in the place they are holding when they were first called. In other words, we do not have to wait for things to change before we serve the Lord. Verse 20 clearly tells us that we are to stay put where we are.
Sadly, many of us have a different view of what it is to be a Christian. We place so much conditions before we actually wear the new nature in Christ. Our fallen nature discourages us to accept the invitation of Jesus without adding our contribution to the salvific act of Christ. We think we can add something from our own effort to change our conditions when God called us first. We need to obey and let the grace and mercy of God transform our lives instead of doing it ourselves. Only God can transform and save us.
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REFLECTION
• Why do you think God asks us to remain where we are when he called us?