"Body Builders" October 15 Readings: 1 Corinthians 13-14

 

Reading the Bible Chronologically in 2024

This year, instead of reading from Genesis to Revelation, we will read the Bible as the story flows, as it happened and was written. There are several plans out there and I have worked to combine them into a plan that lets the Bible tell its own story "as it happened." Remember, the Bible is inspired, but not in the order the books appear in our Bibles.  The Old Testament is approximately 3/4 of the Bible, but we will give more emphasis to the New Testament, spending half the year in the Old Testament and half in the New. 

Bible Readings: 1 Corinthians 13-14

Background:  

An ironic rebuke, 1 Corinthians 13 is one of the most familiar scriptures. It describes the love of God and the love we are to have for one another - a love that is not squishy, tolerant of sin, or weak. It is a gritty love that is based on actions that mimic the love of Christ.

It is given as a direct contrast to the self-serving focus on gifts that was prevalent in Corinth. Paul's more "excellent way" is about demonstrating your spirituality by living out the love and service of Christ, not showing off with flashy gifts and manifestations.

This kind of love never fails.

Worship was out of control at Corinth, as people tried to out-perform one another with spectacular displays of showy gifts and manifestations. Paul wrote Chapter 14 to correct that and set some standards for worship, especially for the use of tongues. The core teaching seems to be that tongues is not worth fighting over - it has worth according to Paul but there are many things more important, especially prophecy. There are also sections on orderly worship and the role of women in worship, especially speaking roles.

Paul's main point is that Christian worship, while passionate and powerful, personal and spiritual, should also be controlled, not wild or bizarre. The Spirit causes us to consider Christ not to lose our minds. 

Daily Devotional:  Body Builders

The sad fact is that after 2000 years of study and discussion, we are still arguing about many of the teachings of Paul in 1 Corinthians. Since we do not know the exact situations to which he wrote we cannot always specifically apply his advice in our modern day. What was the head covering in chapter 11? What are all the gifts and manifestations in chapter 12? Is tongues still a gift at work today? What exactly is the gift of prophecy? When Paul told the women to keep silent in the church, what was his exact context and meaning?

It is not that we are completely in the dark about these teachings, but there will always be disagreements and unanswered questions. That is simply the way of things in these kinds of teachings. But one thing is absolutely clear, a teaching Paul gives in verse 5, but one which has been a key through all of these admonitions.

...so that the church may be built up. 

It's not about "getting my blessing" when I go to church, it's about giving a blessing to the church. It's not about what I get out of it but what I put into it. Everything we do is supposed to be about service, about building others up in the name of Christ. Gifts are not about showing off, they are about giving a blessing and making the Body better, and stronger.

If we use that standard we will have a head start on all of these issues. How do we handle these hot-button issues? Build up the body in Christ. Bless others, not yourself. That is not the final word, perhaps, but it is a great place to start. Every action, every attitude, and every decision must be made for the good of the church, to build others up, and to grow them in Christ. 

Father, may everything I do be for your glory and for the good of your body. 

 

Consider God's Word:

Do you act for selfish motives, to show off to others and demonstrate your own greatness, or do you live for God's glory and the good of the church?