Episode 182 - "Our treatment of other believers sends a message to the world" - 1 Corinthians 6:1-8

1 When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? 2 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! 4 So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? 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!

Well, Paul has certainly been taking these believers to the proverbial “woodshed.” In the preceding texts we’ve looked at the past few weeks, Paul has admonished them for their arrogance and unwillingness to discipline a brother in the church for living in an immoral relationship that Paul says is not acceptable even among the culture around them.

Notice that Paul does not expect these people to be perfect. He understands that there are disagreements, conflicts, and grievances in this world and life. He does not suggest these are avoidable. The problem Paul is addressing here is how they handle it. This is consistent with the situation Paul addressed prior to this. The man’s immoral relationship with his father’s wife was wrong. It needed correcting. But, just as important was the testimony and integrity of the church, the community of faith. By ignoring it, they were sending a message that they didn’t have a problem with this. Outsiders would rightly question what is different or better about the Christian faith if they didn’t live any differently than everyone else. This is an important principle for this situation as well.

The problem is that believers are not settling their conflicts among themselves. They are taking the problems to the courts overseen by the “unrighteous.” What is Paul’s first attack against this? He says in verse 2 the “saints will judge the world,” and if that’s the case, can you (as saints) not handle issues that are trivial? Then, he adds in verse 3 that “we (the saints) are to judge the angels.” Whoa! I’ll be honest with you. I don’t have a clue how this would/will look. It’s difficult for me to imagine how or why God would want me to judge the world or angels. Perhaps there are things that God works in my life for the world and even angels to observe, and they serve as a witness for that to which they are held accountable. Whatever it is, at the very least, the message is that Christians following Christ should grow in God’s wisdom for the purpose of being a testimony of God’s holiness, wisdom, love, truth, righteousness, justice, mercy, and all good things that come from God. We should not fail to be able to address the “matters pertaining to this life” (v. 3) when God is preparing us for a life in his kingdom.

Paul’s counsel is to let other believers in the church help you settle your disputes with your brothers instead of sending a message to the world that Christians are foolish and can’t handle their own problems.

Paul digs a little deeper in verse 7. He says, “To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?” His point is that it is even better if you just let it go instead of suing your brother. Your loss is better than having even a Christian third party decide on the matter. Why is that? Isn’t that allowing injustice not to be addressed? Well, the fact of the matter is Paul is just following Jesus’ instruction on the matter. In Matthew 5:39-40 Matthew records Jesus saying, “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.” (Matt 5:39-40 ESV) Wow! I must admit that I need some maturing in this area. It is so easy to become upset at some perceived injustice, especially from those who call themselves Christians. I want it to be made right.

Paul is not finished and adds in verse 8 that they are also guilty of defrauding their brothers in the faith. This highlights the fundamental problem he’s been addressing from the beginning of the letter: these believers at Corinth are thinking of themselves first and foremost and not Christ or their fellow believers.

Prayer: Lord - Give us the mind of Christ and let it change our values and thoughts so that our highest desire is to be a testimony of your grace, truth, mercy, and righteousness to the world that they would want to receive Jesus1

Episode 173 - Spiritual things are spiritually discerned - 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1Cor. 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

If you were thinking to yourself, “That sounds familiar,” it’s because we also included verses 12-13 in last week's study. We always want to interpret text within its context, and I felt that backing up a little would help us interpret verses 14-16 this week.

The theme has been God’s wisdom compared to mankind’s so-called wisdom. Paul is explaining that God’s wisdom is greatly superior to that of the human race and that we need God’s wisdom even though mankind thinks it is foolishness. The natural, sinful man rejects the idea that God would send his own son into the world in human flesh and bones and willingly die for the sins of the human race. Many people reject the need for having their sin forgiven before a Holy God because, in their mind, they’ve been a “good person.”

It is the Holy Spirit who moves within us to help us understand and receive this wisdom and understanding from God. When we receive the good news of Jesus’ death on the cross on our behalf, we receive the Holy Spirit. That’s what Paul is saying in verse 12. Because we now have God’s Spirit, we can begin to understand spiritual things. (v. 13)

Verse 14 continues to explain that no one on their own can truly understand spiritual truths of God. We need God’s Spirit to help us discern those spiritual truths.

Paul makes two statements in verse 15 that some have interpreted to justify their religious arrogance and elitism. The statement, “The spiritual person judges all things,” seems pretty absolute, not to mention contradictory to Jesus’ teaching in his Sermon on the Mount. “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1) So, what is it? This is where we not only look within our immediate context but also to the greater biblical context to see what the Scriptures say about “judging.”

Later in 1 Corinthians, Paul insists that this group of believers are to judge their own. People who have trusted in the good news of Jesus and have received the Holy Spirit are expected to reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Their thoughts, words, and actions should not reflect those of the world around them, but the character of God the Holy Spirit wants to work in them. Paul explains that the world will act from its own fleshly desires, and you can’t avoid the world. But Christians are supposed to act differently. If they blatantly live in contradiction to the Scriptures and are no different from the world, they are to be held accountable by their brothers and sisters in the faith. ( 1 Cor. 5:9-12) Notice that this action is out of love and not out of some elitist arrogance. This is what Jesus was teaching as well. It’s all about the heart and our motives.

The point of Paul’s comment, “The spiritual person judges all things,” speaks of the enablement to discern spiritual and other things in life offered by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit and following God’s leading in the Holy Spirit changing our lives helps us discern what is good or bad, what is wise or foolish. The Bible is not a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts. We need the Holy Spirit to lead and convict us in matters of our day-to-day decisions in life. Becoming a Christian and receiving the Holy Spirit does not make us omniscient or give us the right to go around telling everybody what they ought to do.

The next statement in verse 15 says, “but is himself to be judged by no one,” can also be distorted without appropriate consideration of the immediate context of this letter as well as the rest of Paul’s teaching and that of the Scriptures. Can I say to my fellow Christians, “You cannot judge me because I am a spiritual person?” I don’t think that’s what Paul is saying at all. The point of this saying is that since the natural ability of humans is not able to discern God’s wisdom, then it cannot effectively discern and “judge” someone who is spiritual. God is not judging based on what humans see and assess in the life of a spiritual person. But God does. He is our true judge. We should humbled in this knowledge and not puffed up with pride.

The first statement in verse 16, “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” is a quotation from Isaiah 40:13 and is Paul’s way of reemphasizing the superiority of the Lord’s wisdom. Paul’s statement does not allow any Christian to be arrogant and think they are better. However, he follows with, “But we have the mind of Christ.” (v. 16b) What’s the point? The point is that God is sharing his wisdom with us through the Holy Spirit in order that we think and act more like Christ.

Think back on chapter one and Paul’s indicting accusations toward some of them. Paul is judging, isn’t he? But Paul is doing so to correct them and encourage them to conduct themselves more consistently with Christ.

If we have received God’s gift of forgiveness of our sins through the cross of Christ and have received his Spirit, we are to judge ourselves first. As the psalmist said, we can pray:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

If we are truly spiritual and have the mind of Christ, there is no room for arrogance in our life. Instead, our thoughts, words, and actions reflect love, compassion, humility, and wisdom in conducting ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit quell our pride when provoked. Make us the spiritual people you want us to be in order that we can be a living testimony of your wisdom and power.

Episode 169 - We need God's wisdom and power - 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

1Cor. 1:18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”

1Cor. 1:20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

In our episode last week, Paul admonished the believers at Corinth for childish and divisive attitudes by identifying with one spiritual teacher or another. It would appear that individuals wanted to think of themselves as more spiritual than their fellow believers based on who baptized them or who they were following. Paul asserted that his God-appointed role as an apostle was to preach the message of the gospel removed from eloquent or clever words. Paul wanted the basic and simple message of Jesus Christ crucified to be delivered and let God do the convincing.

Verse 17 appears to be a hinge verse because Paul first dispels the idea that people should be exalting him as some great leader or communicator. Secondly, it moves his conversation from the nature of his role to the nature of the message of Christ crucified.

Notice is verse 18, Paul writes, “the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing . . .” Examining this text in the original Greek language, this statement caught my eye because Paul uses the term “logos” that is translated “word.” This is the same term used by the apostle John in his gospel when he writes, “In the beginning was the word . . .” (John 1:1) later, he reveals the “word” is Jesus. Therefore, I wondered if Paul was making some allusion to John’s gospel or did he simply mean the “message of the cross.” After a little more study, I concluded the latter interpretation to be the more likely interpretation. I’ll come back to that shortly.

The important point of Paul in verse 18 is that the message of the cross is one of two things. It is either “folly” (or foolishness), or it is the power of God. Those are the only two options Paul gives, and they are quite different. The message that the Messiah (Christ) died on the cross (and came back to life three days later) is folly to some, Paul says. We might use the words “nonsense” or “crazy.” Paul asserts that such people who consider this message in such a way are “perishing.” However, some people believe or accept it despite how it might seem to their own reason, and to those, this message becomes God’s power to save them from their perishing condition.

Paul cites part of Isaiah 29:14 to argue that this isn’t just Paul’s opinion. He’s showing how God has promised beforehand to do “wonderful things” for the people and, in doing so, he would negate the wisdom and discernment of humanity. Looking at the context of Isaiah, it might be that the nature of these “wonderful things” is precisely what negates the wisdom and discernment of mankind. It’s not that human wisdom or discernment is bad. It’s just that they are insignificant in comparison to God’s power and wisdom. It shows that we need the kind of wisdom that God alone can give. That wisdom accepts God’s revelation and trusts in the Lord. It results in God’s power which saves us from perishing. That’s good!

In verse 21, Paul asks rhetorical questions that could be summarized as “Where is human wisdom today?” His answer seems to be, “It doesn’t exist! People are all going their own way and doing their own thing, and it’s not producing good.” He argues that through human wisdom, the world does not know God. So, God chose to reveal His wisdom through a message that, to some, seems foolish. This is the message that Paul preaches. This is why I think Paul’s “word of the cross” is simply the message of Jesus’ death on the cross. He is preaching the message of who Jesus is (the Christ) and the purpose of his death on the cross.

It’s easy to see why some would consider it foolish, isn’t it? From human reasoning, of all things we could imagine God would do to help us, would it be by sending His Son into his own creation and allowing him to suffer and die on the cross? I don’t think so. Furthermore, it’s probably safe to say that none of us have witnessed someone who died and was buried return to life. It seems, from human wisdom, foolish. Yet, that’s exactly what the Scriptures teach and a truth that some people have endured a martyr’s death defending. Paul said in verse 23 this message is a stumbling block to the Jews and is considered folly among the Gentiles.

However, Paul continues in verse 24 this same message is both God’s power and wisdom available to “those who are called.” To be called means listening and responding to God’s voice and message. God’s message of forgiveness for our sins is preached today, and we can either consider it foolishness and not respond, or we can listen and say, “OK, God. I don’t fully understand this. But, I trust you and receive this as true. That is receiving God’s wisdom and letting our own wisdom be negated. It also affects God’s power within our own lives, giving us eternal life and not perishing.

Verse 25 summarizes Paul’s point that God’s foolishness is wiser than so-called wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than mankind’s strength.

Prayer: Heavenly Father - Thank you for the wisdom and power you have made accessible through the death of Jesus on the cross. May this message go out to the world and people trust in your wisdom.

Episode 157 - "Wisdom from God leads to peace, mercy, impartiality, . . . " James 3:13-18

James 3:13   Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Does the message in this segment sound familiar? There are two themes in particular here that jump out to me. The first is wisdom. This is an important theme of James’ letter, isn’t it? It was at the forefront of his mind when he wrote this because he writes in the fifth verse of chapter one, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5) James is telling his readers they need wisdom, and he tells them where to get it. In the segment we’re looking at today, he contrasts two kinds of wisdom. 

One kind of wisdom is characterized by “bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts.” (James 3:14) He adds this kind is “earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” (v. 14) What he’s saying here is that people may be able to talk a good game. But, they are only self-serving, self-promoting, seeking to impress or control others through their talk. They are not concerned about the spiritual well-being of others.

If that weren’t enough, James continues in verse 16 by saying, “where jealousy and self-ambition exist, “there will be disorder and every vile practice.” Jealousy and self-ambition are root causes of disorder and every vile practice (corruption, immorality, unjust treatment of others, etc.). Sadly, I’ve actually seen this in a church before. I wish I’d understood this better back then. Perhaps we could have identified the issues before they became so destructive.

What about the second kind of wisdom? This is the kind of wisdom that we ask from God, right? This is the kind of wisdom “from above.” (v. 17) James describes this as “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” (v. 17)

The idea that it is “first pure” shows this to be in direct contrast to the earthly and demonic kind of wisdom which is thoroughly corrupt. The rest of these descriptive words tell us that wisdom from God seeks the benefit and edification of everyone in the community of believers. Words like peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy, and impartial all speak of seeking the best for the community as a whole. James has already instructed his readers not to show partiality but to treat people equally. (James 2:1-13)

The second theme I see as a continuation of James’ emphasis to these believers is that of “good works.” Notice how he discusses the relationship between wisdom from above and good works. The second half of James 3:13 says to the wise person, “By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.” (James 3:13b) Just like good works are evidence of the kind of faith that God gives, so good works are also evidence of the wisdom God gives.” It is a wisdom evidenced by meekness and not arrogant boasting and self-promotion or jealousy. James completes that thought in verse 18, “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” This says that using the wisdom given by God works to “sow peace” among brothers and sisters in the faith, and it brings a “harvest of righteousness.” This is the value of seeking wisdom from God. We want to experience a community of righteousness or right living. We need and desire peace, mercy, gentleness, and NOT one of disorder and vile living, right?

I love how James is not just jumping from one thing to another. Rather, as these themes reappear, we start to see how they are so closely related. I don’t know about you. But, it fosters in me a desire to experience this more in my own life and of my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Prayer: Lord, as you grant and sustain our faith, grant us wisdom that enables us to value your wisdom and your righteousness that becomes more evident as we seek to be peaceable, gentle, merciful, and everything else that seeks the common good of others.

Episode 143 - "Got wisdom?" James 1:5

James 1:5   If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

Before I jump into this single verse, let’s remind ourselves of the context of this verse. From the opening verses that we covered last week, we see there is importance to God in followers of Jesus being made “complete.” There’s an underlying principle that even after we have come to faith in the good news of Jesus Christ, God still intends for us to grow into someone that He deems “complete.” The means by which this happens is God’s allowance of “trials of various kinds” (v. 2) in our lives. 

Trials of various kinds, James explains, test our faith. The question of this test is “Do we really trust God? Is this so-called faith genuine? A few weeks before my dad died of cancer, the young wife of my friend and mother of their infant child died of Leukemia. I had been begging God to at least spare her. But, God didn’t and I was very upset. It was a trial for me at that time and the test was for me to ask whether I believed that God was still perfectly good AND entirely powerful. Even though God did not spare either this young lady or my dad, I decided I needed to still believe that God didn’t let them die because He was either unable or unwilling. Even though I couldn’t understand why God would allow this, I needed my faith tested because God was using that trial to make me more into what He wanted me to be. As we will see, “faith” is an important concept that James wants his audience to grasp. James continued to explain that a tested faith produces steadfastness (endurance) and the steadfastness works to make us complete, “lacking nothing,” James says. (v. 4) 

In this episode, we pick up at verse 5 which begins, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God . . .” Why on earth does he suggest this and what does it have to do with faith and being made complete? First of all, the Bible has quite a bit to say about the value of wisdom. A young Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom to govern the people. (1 Kings 3:5-9) The Lord was pleased with this request and granted it. The book of Proverbs begins with the value of gaining wisdom.

 “Prov. 1:2 To know wisdom and instruction,

to understand words of insight,

3 to receive instruction in wise dealing,

in righteousness, justice, and equity;

4 to give prudence to the simple,

knowledge and discretion to the youth—

5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning,

and the one who understands obtain guidance,

6 to understand a proverb and a saying,

the words of the wise and their riddles.”

Among other things, wisdom helps us understand what is right, just, and equitable (v. 3) In short, it helps us make the best decisions when the trials come along. When emotions tend to grip us, wisdom should prevail to guide us in making the best decision for ourselves and others. 

James says to ask God for wisdom. God is the source of wisdom. There are people in the world who think they have wisdom and God has no part it in. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, Paul says that God’s foolishness is wiser than the wisdom of men. The “cross” is God’s wisdom and it has the power to save mankind from their foolishness and the consequences of it. James continues by saying that God “gives (wisdom) generously to all (who ask for it) without reproach. This qualification “without reproach” is James’ way of saying that God earnestly wants to give you wisdom. He wants people to have the wisdom He alone can and will give. 

We need God’s wisdom to endure the trials that will come into our lives so that God can use them to make us complete.