Opposition from without and from within

1 Corinthians chp. 9 we find Paul defending himself from accusations made from within, the very group of people he led to the Lord, how hurtful that must have been. To have those whom you love assume the worst about you and without regard for the whole truth they broadcast their accusations to others so that they might win support. What’s worse were those who knew better choosing sides with the accusers, believing their half-truths and doing so after only hearing one side of the story. Neither they nor the accusers had the right to appoint themselves as judge or jury but they did and they fed off of one another’s contempt and prejudice but Paul knew who was behind all of this and was therefore able to see past the thin disguise. Paul was a true warrior of the faith filled with a righteous indignation, fleshing out what he believed and yet elsewhere we see his tender, sensitive heart for God and God’s people.

Exercising Your Freedom

(1 Corinthians 8:9 NIV) Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.

Those who are older in the faith and loves God and is known by God has learned many things, which has provided a freedom from the laws of man they once followed. Knowing that these laws cannot cleanse the inner man, this person is freed from the law’s hold. This new freedom is a wonderful gift for it removes the weight and the burden once carried but it is not to be exercised in all situations. There are many comforts I enjoy in my own home but would not expect to do the same anywhere else, likewise Paul uses the example of eating meat. In the act of eating meat there is no wrong but if it causes a new believer to doubt then by doing this you have done more damage than good or if you being older in the faith set an example that causes those weaker to join you, going against their own conscience, you sin against Christ and destroy your brother by your knowledge!

You begin to understand that labeling something sin is more difficult than it might first appear and reason is given to withhold judgment on others. Yes there are absolutes but there are also things God’s Word does not make clear by words alone but by the Holy Spirit does He lead you. Why do you think there are so many different types of churches? Very quickly this topic goes very deep. It would seem along with absolutes there are other things God requires of us individually based on our knowledge or revelation of Him. Paul also said this to the Philippians…

(Philippians 2:12-13 NIV) Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Know this, God does not contradict His Word. If you sense God is leading you to do something His Word says not to do then abandon that thought quickly, for it is not God’s voice you are hearing. Also beware of those who impose their thoughts and ideas upon you; just like the Pharisees added to God’s commandments and puffed themselves up there are those today who lie waiting for the weak so they might show their strength. Like Peter you too will learn this freedom God gives has a specific purpose, yes you may enjoy it but as you have come to learn the character of God there is also a calling that goes along with it.

(Acts 10:9-16 NIV) About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles of the earth and birds of the air. Then a voice told him, "Get up, Peter. Kill and eat." "Surely not, Lord!" Peter replied. "I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." The voice spoke to him a second time, "Do not call anything impure that God has made clean." This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

This vision was given to Peter, by God so that he would understand it was alright, even required of him being a Jew to enter the house of a Gentile so that God’s will may be done. In doing so Peter broke a Jewish law, which he had been freed from so that he may know God’s higher calling. If you claim freedom in Christ Jesus know that you have been given much and if you have been given much know also that much will be required of you (Luke 12:48).

(1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NIV) So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

Don't be enslaved by the world

(1 Corinthians 7:29-31 NLT) But let me say this, dear brothers and sisters: The time that remains is very short. So from now on, those with wives should not focus only on their marriage. Those who weep or who rejoice or who buy things should not be absorbed by their weeping or their joy or their possessions. Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away.

No matter if you are married or single, a worker or a boss, you have possessions or you own nothing, if you belong to Christ Jesus you know this time is short and we have a higher calling. The concerns in this world will one day fall away, for a time is coming when the important will have little meaning and we who know Christ Jesus have a responsibility of telling others to prepare for this time in their own lives, even now while they can choose for a time will come when all will confess Jesus is Lord. Some will accept what you have to say but most will not however, that is not what you are to concern yourselves with no our concern shall be upon the will of our Heavenly Father and whether or not we are pleasing to Him or not.

God, help us not to worry and teach us to let go of our frustrations, for we are not in control and these things we cling to only lead us away from You. Remind us Father that You have always been in control and help us to find our peace once again. We know You will take care of those who call out to You, “Abba Father”. Whom shall we fear if we hide ourselves in You? For Your name O, Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into and are safe! You welcome us into Your presence and we humbly come to you knowing the price that was paid that we might do so. We are loved by You and in turn we give ourselves wholly to You. What a wonderful day when the created returns to the Creator. You simply do not give up on us and we are so thankful for all that You are!

It Is Better To Be Wronged

(1 Corinthians 6:1 NLT) When one of you has a dispute with another believer, how dare you file a lawsuit and ask a secular court to decide the matter instead of taking it to other believers!

(1 Corinthians 6:6-7 NLT) But instead, one believer sues another—right in front of unbelievers! Even to have such lawsuits with one another is a defeat for you. Why not just accept the injustice and leave it at that? Why not let yourselves be cheated?

Have we become so consumed with the ideal of being treated fairly even to the point that we jeopardize our own way? What about our roll as ambassador to a world lost without Jesus? 1 Corinthians 6 tells us it is better to accept that we have been wronged than to seek the justice this world has to offer so that we don’t forfeit God’s purpose. Everything happens for a reason but that reason may not be because of a choice you made. What if you went to the bank and while you deposited your check the bank was robbed, the police arrived and the robber took you hostage. Before it was over you were shot and on your way to the hospital. What choice had you made? Your choice to deposit your check was not wrong, the wrong was clearly that of the person breaking the law, yet you paid a price. Why? It’s quite possible God was working something out in the life of the person who made the decision to rob the bank and you being His child were used in this purpose. Would this not make you, a child of God, depend upon Him more? Or would it point out where you needed to depend on Him more? Either way God used His vessel to accomplish His will and in the end that vessel was called to a seat of honor for being willing to allow God to use him in this way. Still it all came about because of a choice not made by you. Yet if we cling to the justice that is due us we bypass the purposes of God. So choose carefully the next time you have been wronged and consider God’s purpose and even if you cannot see it at that time know that God is your Heavenly Father and He wants what is best for you even when you feel He is going about it the wrong way.

Immorality

(1 Corinthians 5:11 NLT) I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.

Do you remember in high school being instructed not to date the immoral person, having the ideal that you could change them for the better? What about your friends you choose to hang out with? It’s because their constant justification for living the way they do begins to wear down your own resistance to sin and without realizing it you adopt their reasons for giving in to temptation. By walking into their camp you affectively allow this person to put blinders on you so you cannot see God’s direction any more. Instead we are to shine God’s light and be steadfast with roots that run deep next to His Living Stream. As we shine God’s light people will be attracted to you not the other way around. Paul made it very clear that coming in contact with this kind of person (the unbeliever) isn’t the issue he said, “You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.” but having this person in your inner circle, one who claims to be a believer, he goes on to say, “Don’t even eat with such people.”

As a believer you have been adopted into a kingdom unknown by the world. God paid a high price to be able to call you His own and we are to guard our hearts and keep them set apart for Him alone but when we listen to the counsel of the immoral person we turn our backs on the very One who died for us. The enemy is cunning and he knows a frontal attack would only brazen us and cause us to stand firm for what we believe but if he could send spies into our ranks he would eventually be able to turn us. The key is communicate with our Lord regularly asking for His guidance and help with where you should go, who you should see, even the smallest of things and He will be faithful to guide you. The moment you lose the ability to follow and hear His voice you should be concerned and if you notice not being able to hear Him when you are around certain people examine their lives to see if they are immoral. Paul also says, “But it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.” He wasn’t talking about judging people in other churches he was referring to people in your inner circle, he was telling you it is your job to guard your own heart so that it may remain soft towards the things of God.

My Choices

(1 Corinthians 4:5-7 NLT) So don't make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I've been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you won't be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another. For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?

This world’s systems have been setup to cause the individual to promote one’s self, thinking if I promote myself then I will become what I want to be but remember who has been given temporary power of this world…

(Ephesians 2:1-5 NLT) Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God's anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's grace that you have been saved!)

We have been deceived and every time we take credit for something we have done we affectively set that hook a little deeper. My choices don’t make me stronger, instead they make me more depended on the structure and the systems of this world. It is only by Christ Jesus are those chains broken and like Paul told the Corinthians, “And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?” What’s worse is this worldly thinking is taking control of our youth. As if it is not hard enough for my generation to make the choice to humble ourselves and look to Christ Jesus as the answer, our children grow up in a world that has become saturated in pride and self-promotion! Shame on the older generations for not teaching their children how to make Godly choices for they will held accountable. As this world makes its downward spiral a remnant will be saved and when Jesus returns those who made choices based on God’s Word will be delivered from God’s wrath. For God is not only merciful but also righteous.

(Revelation 8:13 NLT) Then I looked, and I heard a single eagle crying loudly as it flew through the air, "Terror, terror, terror to all who belong to this world because of what will happen when the last three angels blow their trumpets."

It is ok to be weak

(1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NLT) When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the One who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.

For some strength comes easy, others hope to be stronger but what if our human weakness is instead a blessing from God? Have you ever been around a person that knows just what to say, without hesitation? They leave the impression that surely they are wise and it is true they have practiced and trained their whole lives. From grade school, through high school and college, and they have been encouraged by people’s responses, especially now that they are adults in the work place. For their efforts has rewarded them well but in all of that you have to wonder did they ever stop to ask what God’s plan is?

Those who wish they were like the group I just mentioned but can’t quite pull off the quick responses should stop striving and think about this. Maybe, just maybe God is holding their tongue and maybe God has a better way for their lives then those who are considered wise by the world. With me wisdom seems to come the next morning, by then everyone has said their part and conclusions have been drawn and the group is ready to move on to the next subject. What I have failed to see in these situations is that God definitely is providing His direction for my life but it seems as if He has no interest in entering this type of debate. I have even prayed for quicker responses because this “morning wisdom” I reason, would benefit everyone or am I more concerned about making myself look more important, sometimes it is a toss-up. Debates I don’t enjoy but writing I do and I think this is the reason... it gives me time to listen – something that is difficult to do when your mouth is always open.

(Matthew 7:6 NLT) "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you.”

I am left feeling as if these nuggets of wisdom are meant for those who purposely slow down to listen. The ones with quick responses don’t really listen beyond what is required for their rebuttal. There are however, two occasions when I surprise myself by speaking my mind, one I regret to say is when I am angry but the other is when I am filled with passion. These times happen in degrees depending on how far I’ve been pushed or how passionate I am about a particular subject. I have had times when indignation came over me and drove me as if I had no other choice but to speak out but those times are almost always with another individual or small group that shows they know how to listen and are interested in learning and can usually be described as a God moment. The times I speak out in anger almost always turns into an argument and I usually end up regretting the things that I felt just had to be said, even if truth is spoken the delivery of it diffuses the message and it desensitizes that person’s ability to receive truth in the future, especially from me. These are the times I need to do more listening than speaking and tread lightly, remembering who’s I am. I do not need to speak in defense of myself for it is much better if God defends me and leads me on what to do next. When I speak for my own defense I not only wish I hadn’t but I also lose God’s direction, leaving me lost and looking for hope. Over the years I have learned to be thankful that wisdom comes slowly, many times I’ve learned the best response is, “I need to pray and think about it and get back to you.” This way the pressure is taken off of me and the credit goes to God – I have learned that it is ok to let my weakness show because those are the best times to hear God’s direction and the times I have done this I have never walked away wishing I would have had a quick response.