Tag Archives: ILMA ARTS STUDIO

1 CORINTHIANS 8 AVOID BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK

Posted on by

July 12

1 CORINTHIANS 8

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brothersand wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. – 1 Corinthians 8:7-13

1 CORINTHIANS 8 AVOID BEING A STUMBLING BLOCK

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you grow your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

Watch out that you do not hinder the walk of the weak

Do not be trivial and legalistic towards their practices

Be patient and kind with the ones who just discovered Christ

It is considered a sin if you hinder their growth and confuse them

They will be divided in their spirit and weakened in their faith

Like a good father, Paul admonished the Corinthian believers of their trivialities regarding practices in eating food. Because the Jews have so many rules about what to eat and what not to eat, He wanted to give them a glimpse of how God is not trivial. He is all-knowing and can see all the hearts of men. He understands the process of growing their faith and is not legalistic about continuing their belief system. Just as a good father will be patient and understanding of their children, so is Paul with the believers. Paul called the attention of the believers and that they must ensure that they do not get in the way of the progress of the walk of the new believers. He reminds them that it is sin if they become a stumbling block to the growth of their faith by being legalistic about certain rules that they used to follow. They should be resilient and understanding and get out of the way of the Holy Spirit’s work in the hearts of the new believers.

REFLECTION

  • What are some ways we can be a stumbling block to new believers in Christ?

1 CORINTHIANS 8 KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP BUT LOVE BUILDS UP

Posted on by

July 11

1 CORINTHIANS 8

 Now concerningfood offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. 4 Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. – 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

1 CORINTHIANS 8 KNOWLEDGE PUFFS UP BUT LOVE BUILDS UP

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Be watchful if knowledge is something you seek regularly

You can be puffed up and make you proud of yourself

Seek only the knowledge that comes from God’s word

It is the only wisdom that makes you overcome this world

God wants you to walk in love and instead think of others

It will give God glory and praise if you do this to one another.

Paul cautions the Corinthian church of the downside of seeking too much knowledge. He says that it makes a man puffed up with pride when they obsess about knowledge. Why do you think he warns them not to be so consumed by it? When we seek too much knowledge, it usually is to appear superior or much better than others. We can easily think we are right and others are wrong or we can be obsessed with our reputation for knowing more than others. Comparisons set in and then we marginalize those who do not live up to our standards. We become presumptuous and assume that people will look up to and respect us because of such knowledge that we have. So, one desire to look accomplished turns into more discrimination over others or a competitiveness against others. We believe in ourselves and go against being “loving.” We become impartial to those who have different views than ours. It brings about “idolatry” in us wherein we are the gods ourselves. It doesn’t give God glory when we do this.

REFLECTION

·       How is wisdom different from knowledge? How does knowledge make us proud?

1 CORINTHIANS 7 ON CONTROLLING ONE’S DESIRE

Posted on by

July 10

1 CORINTHIANS 7

36 If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better.39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.– 1 Corinthians 7:36-40

1 CORINTHIANS 7 ON CONTROLLING ONE’S DESIRE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As humans, it is inevitable to have our own desires and passions

A desire is a strong longing or yearning for something or someone

A passion is an intense emotional reaction to a particular thing or person

Be careful that your desires and passions do not consume you

If you serve Jesus, you will let the Holy Spirit guide your desires

Crave only for things that are holy and those that build up others.

In this letter, Paul weighs whether it is better to stay single or married. He discussed desires and passions. He gave examples of situations where one may be unable to control their desires or passions. In verse 36 he points out the importance of controlling their desires with their fiancée but if they cannot regulate such passions and it overwhelms them, he advises them to marry so that they will not sin. In verse 37, he commends those who are able to control themselves and wait for that period of engagement. For the widowed, Paul recommends for them to stay single and he thinks that it is wise advice for them to follow so that they could focus on serving the Lord.

In our world today, many people cannot have desires and passions that are under control. We live in a society where instant gratification is the norm and delaying getting what we want is a novelty.

REFLECTION

  • How can Christians become more aware of earthly cravings and control it?

1 CORINTHIANS 7 UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO GOD

Posted on by

July 9

1 CORINTHIANS 7

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. 33 But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. – 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

1 CORINTHIANS 7 UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO GOD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Since God is a God of order and not of chaos

He protects us from confusion by stipulating laws

If we follow his commands, we will not be anxious

He gives wisdom to all who aligns their will to his statutes

He expects undivided devotion as he gives steadfast love to us

Though we have roles to fulfill, we ought to prioritize our Lord.

In this letter, Paul admonishes them to be free from anxieties. He addresses the various concerns that people have depending on their situations in life. He mentions that the married men and women have more things to worry about because they ought to please their spouses. On the other hand, the single man or woman may be concerned only about how to please the Lord.

In his future letters, he reminds the Corinthian church that God is a God of order and not of confusion and that everything must be done decently and in order. Just reflect on how God created the world. There is a sequence he followed. In his wisdom, he knew exactly how things should go because he knew everything even before he created them. When Adam and Eve sinned, they disrupted the order that God initially planned for mankind to follow. So, humans have tendencies to be anxious and prioritize the “self” rather than God. Satan distracts us from undivided devotion to the Lord with so many things such as our roles in life and the things that we love in this world.

REFLECTION

  • What might hinder us from giving God our undivided devotion?

1 CORINTHIANS 7 TROUBLES OF THIS WORLD

Posted on by

July 8

1 CORINTHIANS 7

25 Now concerningthe betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed womanmarries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

                                                              – 1 Corinthians 7:25-31

1 CORINTHIANS 7 TROUBLES OF THIS WORLD

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As you live in this world, be ready to face trials                                                

When you are married, you will encounter more of it

When two different people come and live together

More patience and acceptance are required for harmony

If you approach troubles as opportunities to trust in the Lord

It will be life lessons instead so you can overcome this world.

Paul warns the church to view the world in a spiritual perspective. He presents troubles in a way that will not defeat their faith. Instead, he prepares them for situations that may bring about more trials and adversities in their lives. He is actually teaching them to learn to be content in whatever situation they are in. He gives them training to face life without unrealistic expectations by making them focus on what their conditions in life are. He advises them to stay put in whatever they are in at the time the Lord called them.

I got married as I was approaching my fifties. I can attest to what Paul is saying that there are more troubles in marriage rather than being single. I didn’t have to consider someone else’s view on something or their family upbringing. It was less problematic being single.

REFLECTION

  • Share some troubles that marriage brings that singlehood doesn’t.

1 CORINTHIANS 7 LEAD THE LIFE YOU ARE ASSIGNED

Posted on by

July 7

1 CORINTHIANS 7

17 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 Were you a bondservantwhen called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. 24 So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. – 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

1 CORINTHIANS 7 LEAD THE LIFE YOU ARE ASSIGNED

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When God calls you to be part of his kingdom

Remain in that condition whatever you are doing

Lead the life that you are assigned, that is your vocation

Don’t change anything, let God make the transformation

You were bought with a price, remember his steadfast love

Respond to God’s calling with all your heart, soul and mind.

In this letter, Paul emphasizes the grace and gift that God gives to those whom he calls into his kingdom. It didn’t matter whether they were slaves or free, married or single. In verse 20 he advised them to remain in the condition in which they were called to serve. He gave the examples of being a servant or a free man, single or married.

Why do you think Paul stresses to them the importance of staying put when they are invited to God’s kingdom? Paul wanted them to focus on God’s power and grace, not on their limited human capacities. Paul wants them to see the power of God himself. He can transform however mundane your condition was and use you as a vessel to make himself known to mankind and his will fulfilled.

REFLECTION

  • What was the condition of your life when you were called to serve God?

1 CORINTHIANS 7 GOD’S VIEW ON MARRIAGE

Posted on by

July 6

1 CORINTHIANS 7

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.10 To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. 16 For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? – 1 Corinthians 7:8-16

1 CORINTHIANS 7 GOD’S VIEW ON MARRIAGE

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

God instituted marriage between a man and a woman

No one can separate what God has put together

Even those who are married to an unbeliever

God has instructed them to stay in their marriage vows

The unbelieving spouse is blessed by the believer

They can be used by God to lead them to their salvation.

Paul guides the Corinthian church regarding God’s view on marriage. They must have been asking Paul many questions regarding marriage and staying single. The beginning verses of this chapter acknowledges their queries on marriage and staying single. The culture of the Corinthians is very carnal. Once they became Christians, they would naturally have lots of questions regarding the practices and mindsets they were used to.

Paul responds to their question regarding marriage and divorce in this letter. He reminded them how God instituted marriage and that they need to honor the marriage covenant.

REFLECTION

  • Share insights on how God views marriage between unequally yoked couples.

1 CORINTHIANS 7 CONJUGAL RIGHTS

Posted on by

July 5

1 CORINTHIANS 7

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” 2 But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. – 1 Corinthians 7:1-7

1 CORINTHIANS 7 CONJUGAL RIGHTS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, you will honor your body

If you are unable to control your lust and your passion,

It is good for you to marry someone and be faithful to that person

You will now be united in your bodies and have marital benefits

The man has authority over his wife’s body

The woman also has authority over her husband’s body

Each of the spouse will not deprive each other of sex

They will honor their vows of being united and one flesh.

In this letter, Paul further explains to the Corinthian church how marriage in the eyes of the Lord works. He gives a proposal of how to deal with the temptation for sexual immorality. If you are a man, you must get a wife so that you will be within the boundaries that God allows for sexual union. The same is true with a woman. He is to get a husband who will be the only one she is to be united with.

Sadly, in our society, marriage has been a novelty. People just get into having sexual relations with whoever they please. They are defiling their own bodies and also disrespecting God’s design for our bodies.

REFLECTION

  • How can the conjugal rights between a husband and wife be violated?

1 CORINTHIANS 6 YOUR BODY ISN’T YOUR OWN

Posted on by

July 4

1 CORINTHIANS 6

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joinedto a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” 17 But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. 19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. – 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

1 CORINTHIANS 6 YOUR BODY ISN’T YOUR OWN

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When you professed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

God’s Spirit lives inside you, your body is his temple now

It no longer is yours anymore but it belongs to your Maker

Honor your body because he now dwells in this temple

Do not engage in sexual immorality because it defiles God

Honor your body and keep it pure so you will give him laud.

In this letter, Paul emphasizes the importance of keeping the body pure and undefiled from sexual immorality. He reminds them of God’s purpose in creating humans. He made all humans patterned after his own image. He created us that way so we can be one with him. Because of Adam and Eve’s sin, that purpose was thwarted by the devil. Mankind wants to please the self instead of God. There is a tendency towards satisfying the cravings of the flesh for its own pleasures rather than pleasing God and giving him the glory. This inclination to give the flesh what it wants is what leads all humans to engage in sexual immorality. This is what makes us think that we own our bodies when we don’t.

REFLECTION

  • What is the boundary that God sanctioned for indulging in sex?

1 CORINTHIANS 6 THE FATE OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS

Posted on by

July 3

1 CORINTHIANS 6

7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. – 1 Corinthians 6:7-11

1 CORINTHIANS 6 THE FATE OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

To all those who are sexually immoral, idolaters and adulterers

Watch out for your actions are displeasing to the heavenly Father

God hates wickedness in the hearts of men, avoid it as much as you can

The fate of the unrighteous is deprivation of God’s kingdom

Those who believe in Christ are washed, sanctified and justified

A place for servants of Jesus is reserved for them in eternity.

Paul continued to challenge the Christians in Corinth.  This is a continuation of his challenge to them regarding filing lawsuits against each other. He warns them of the consequence of doing unrighteous things. It also refers to one of their brothers in that church who they tolerated and didn’t confront when he slept with his father’s wife.

Paul enumerates some of the many sins that displeases God: sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, thieves, drunks, the greedy, abusers or cheaters. Reflect on these sins and you will come down to people who indulge in their flesh and go against the laws of love that God has put in each person’s heart. Paul warns them of these sins.

David Guzik comments “At the very time Paul wrote, Nero was emperor. Nero castrated a boy named Sporus and then married him (with a full ceremony), brought him to the palace with a great procession, and made the boy his “wife.” Later, the emperor lived with another man, and Nero was declared to be the other man’s “wife.”

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think the following sins enumerated here are sins that God hates?