KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Chapters: I Corinthians 1-4
Message: A Fool For Christ
Hello My Friend,
The Book of I Corinthians was written by Paul to all believers, but directed to those in Corinth, he wrote it about 59AD. The purpose of the book was to address doctrinal problems that brought division between the Corinthian believers. What we are to learn from the book is that Jesus Christ, our risen Lord, indwells and works in every believer through the Holy Spirit. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” -1 Corinthians 2:12.
One of the interesting things about reading the Bible in Chronological order is that you can get a better sense of what was going on. When Paul wrote to the Corinthians he was in Philippi, he had spent two years in Corinth preaching the Gospel with great success, and it was there that one of the first Christian churches was formed, consisting both of Jews and Greeks. A conflict arose and caused a division between the people, many siding with one man over the other. Paul wrote this letter to first, remind them that they are together because of Christ.
“Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother, Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” – I Corinthians 1:1-9.
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called” Sosthenes was the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth, he was seized and beaten by a mob in front of Gallio, the Roman governor when he refused to prosecute Paul for preaching Jesus. Sosthenes became a great minister in the Gospel after he was converted and played a part in seeing many get saved, he had an advantage with the Corinthians since he was a ruler and they respected him, but only saw himself as a brother in Christ. We must not forget that we are one with Christ, the body of Christ that is, no one is better than anyone else, we are all equal in the eyes of God. Yes, if we are faithful to God, He is faithful to us and will bless us for our efforts, He gives the same opportunities to all, it is up to us to choose whether or not we embrace that. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” – Matthew 5:44-45.
We must understand something about our presence in the world, they will never understand us, this is because they will never understand the concept of God, let alone Jesus. It really is sad because we are all born with the knowledge of God in us, but very few embrace that, which is why there are so many different religions. Paul explains why the world never gets us, and why many “religions” have no idea who God is to begin with.
“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” – I Corinthians 2:6-10.
“But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery,” To the world it is impossible to think that anyone can end up in heaven or hell when they die, and if by some chance some do believe they cannot comprehend how one man could redeem them by His death, burial, and resurrection alone. We must understand that we too needed the Holy Spirit to direct us, He nudged us all along until we received Christ in our heart, and that is when He came in a chose to dwell within us. How do we not always feel Him? Our flesh, it can get in the way sometimes, but if you take the time you will see He is always with us. Paul explains this further.
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.” – I Corinthians 3:16-23.
“Therefore let no man glory in men.” Many churches and homes have been destroyed because people put their faith and trust in a man or woman instead of Christ. This is what happens when we idolize or worship man, when they reveal they are human and mess up, it is God or the church they blame. There truly is only one Gospel and that is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, this is the only Gospel that is the foundation of all our hopes and joys of a future with God. The preaching of the Gospel for unbelievers appears foolish, but to those who receive it gladly, it enlightens them. Paul continues to explain this, but brings up a valuable point to all us, stop trying to compete with each other.
“And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.” – I Corinthians 4:6-10.
“as if thou hadst not received it?” How many people are blessed to get the very things they want from God, yet act as if they never got them because someone else is being blessed? When we are humble we are going to get blessed, but if we are puffed up we are going to lose out. Let me tell you, here I am, after it seems like years of praying, going through orientation at my new job, getting more work than I can ask for, and even losing weight without being sick, and I am walking around here amazed and even quite overwhelmed with what is going on with me. The more I think of myself as the least to be blessed the more blessings I receive. I will admit that I wasted three years of my life envious of what others received, especially those who were not faithful to God. We are fools for serving Christ, but it is the smartest decision we will ever make. “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” -I Peter 5:6-7.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.” – I Corinthians 2:16.
Today’s Prayer: God, You know that it’s not always easy being a Christian, sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing when we are constantly faced with temptations and people who find joy in seeing us fall. It is only by Your power that we are able to endure temptation and receive Your crown. Lord, give me Your power, help me to depend solely upon Your reasoning and not my own, help me to remain faithful to You as I walk through this journey that You have me on, and give me Your strength to endure all the conflicts that will arise in this life. I love You, Lord and ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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