I Corinthians 5- Eternally Secure

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans...
5 hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.

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In this Chapter Paul is instructing the Church how to deal with severe unrepentant sin within the Body. This sin is horrible to the extent that even Non-Believers do not accept it. Paul calls for this man (and others who refuse to repent of sin) to be removed from fellowship with the Church. This also means personal interaction with this man as well. A severe action in an effort to keep the Church pure.

But notice vs 5... The sinning man's spirit will be saved when Christ returns. This is another amazing reminder that God's plan for salvation is perfect. There is nothing you or I can do to mess it up, our destination has been set already...Heaven or Hell.

Although once we are called we cannot change our destination, we can and do affect what our rewards will be. This man will be in Heaven with us, but unless he repented from his immorality, he will have far fewer rewards which he can give back to Christ!

Thank God for our salvation!

I Corinthians 4- Are we Imitation Worthy?

16 Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

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Paul's exhortation here to a church filled with Prideful, fleshly people was to "do what I do"... If you are a parent you know what this means. Every action, word or attitude is imitated by your children. But here we see this concept stretching out into the public world. Into our work environment, where we shop, where we vacation everything we do is watched by Believers and the Un-saved as well.

Are you living a life that makes it easy for you to say, "live like I live"? This is the hypocrisy killer...living what we believe; everyday, all day, all the time, everywhere.

Thank God for His wisdom that this could not be done in our own willpower or strength so He provided the Spirit to empower us to accomplish His will! God is great and His Grace & Mercy are always sufficient!

I Corinthians 3- Only God Can Cause Growth

6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.

7 So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

[italics mine]

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We have been given a job to share the Gospel. It is not always easy, exciting or even fruit bearing... but it is what we are called to as believers. This passage reminds us that God is ultimately in control of the fruit. God has a plan for every soul on earth. We MUST play our part is spreading the Truth.

Later on in this chapter of I Corinthians, Paul talks about labor being tested as well. What we do for Christ will be shown to be worthy (Gold, Silver, Precious Gems) or self-serving and shallow (Wood, Hay, Straw). We are encouraged that this testing has nothing to do with our Salvation...nothing can take that away.

I don't know about you but I want to come out of the testing the same way I went in, with my building in tact! I will work diligently for His glory, but depend on God to produce growth...

I Corinthians 2- How to Share the Gospel

1 And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God.

2 For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.

...

5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.

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What an encouragement for me as I read this passage. I have never been an Evangelist, it is not my gifting. But as my Pastor reminded us a week ago, sharing the Gospel is the only reason God left us here on earth. As Paul reminds us here, he was not out trying to impress people with his knowledge, his suave words or his intelligence, He was living Christ! In fact according to vs 2 he knew nothing except Christ.

How do I make that part of my life? How can I be a diligent worker and only know Christ? I am sure there is some practical way the Spirit can change me...

Dependence on Christ for everything is the key. I will wait on God's perfect timing and allow Him to work through me to achieve His will. God is preparing me and/or using me to share the Gospel. I don't have wisdom, or persuasive words...BUT God doesn't need any of that to accomplish His will.

Are you being used by God for His glory? Are you standing in the way because you think you are "unprepared"? Allow God to use you so that those who believe are dependent solely on Christ, not you.

Romans 16- Beware of Dissension

17 Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.

18 For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ but of their own appetites; and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.

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Romans 15- Our Blessed Hope

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

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We do have hope, an incredible hope! One day we will spend eternity with Christ... ETERNITY! In a perfect Kingdom without fear, pain, sadness or disappointment. God has placed on earth and in each Believer the Holy Spirit to encourage, strengthen convict and remind us of the Hope we have.

We will go through trials, temptation, and painful times in this world but we trust completely in God's sovereignty, we can endure these times with supernatural Joy and Peace. God is faithful if we only trust.

Are you questioning God for the trials he has allowed in your life? God controls every event in your life, big or small... Trust that He has a perfect plan and you will enjoy Peace and Joy!

Romans 14- Don't Make Your Brother Stumble

13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this-not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way.

14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 For if because of food your brother is hurt, you are no longer walking according to love Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died.

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Paul's reminder here is so important as we evaluate the activities in which we participate. There are sinful activities which we need to avoid, even run from! But there are also areas which are scripturally permissible, but socially considered sin. It is my believe that in most cases we need to live to the highest standard to avoid causing confusion to unbelievers. After all, the unsaved are the only reason we are still on this earth...

When we prominently proclaim our "Christian Liberties" we will cause confusion among unbelievers as well as new believers or even just less mature believers. Jesus states in Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2 that it would be better for anyone who causes fellow believers to stumble to be "thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck"! He would be better DEAD!

Definitely something to consider the next time we are considering participating in a "Christian liberty"... Are you living above reproach?