KJB Daily Devotion – Following Jesus Through Every Chapter
Date: Thursday, December 01, 2016
Chapters: I Corinthians 5-8
Message: Be A New Lump
Hello My Friend,
Lump, A mass of things blended or thrown together without order or distinction. How would you like to be defined as a lump? As a baker I understand the importance of blending ingredients together to make them one, if I leave one thing out or add too much of something it alters the recipe and I end up with something that will crumble. You know, before we knew Christ as our Saviour we were a lump, a bunch of ingredients thrown together with no structure, we may have had some substance, but nothing stuck to keep us from crumbling. Today, we are new lump with Christ, we have substance and the missing element that keeps us from crumbling, but in order to have more structure in our lives we need to remove some elements and add some to grow. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” – II Corinthians 5:17.
As Christians our structure is quite different from in the world, that is, if we are walking with Christ our structure is different. Being saved is not a free ticket to live in an ungodly way, it is to live with the reflection of Christ. Think about it, if we are proclaiming Christ yet swearing with every other word we speak are we giving off a good reflection? Paul heard some quite shocking news about the church at Corinth, some very incestuous acts had been going on, he addresses those who were condoning fornication in the church, reminding them that while they are saved under the blood of Christ, their behavior is uncalled for, and reflects badly on the church.
“For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” – I Corinthians 5:3-8.
“but present in spirit, have judged already,” You know, we represent Christ, the things we do reflect the church, even if no one knows about it. We do not even have to be doing anything wrong, all it takes is one rumor and it will cause a false judgment. Yes, I know we are not to be judged for the things we did, but if what we are doing right now is questionable we will be judged. While we cannot know what is going on in every household, we are not to condone ungodly behavior in the church. This is why many churches have bylaws that reflect the Bible to become a member, while no one is or ought to be denied entry into the church, fornication and adulterous acts should never be condoned, especially among leaders. “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” – Romans 6:15-16.
It is bad enough that Christians are at odds with the elements of the world, many seem to be more at odds with themselves. I do not know how many times I have seen and been in some heated debates myself over things, some so silly as observing holidays. There was a lot of strife going on in Corinth, some were even suing each other. Paul addresses this issue, pointing out that win or lose, both parties are at fault, and Christians need to stop fighting with one another.
“Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren. Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” – I Corinthians 6:7-11.
“Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud,” Taking someone to court is rarely one sided, it is likely that both parties are at fault, one just had a better lawyer to try and justify their actions. I had to sit in a jury and hear how a man, guilty as can be, was not guilty of what he was charged with. Let me tell you, we are all sinners, that means we all do wrong, and we need to be respectful of each other, not critical. However, it is apparent that these elements never should have been in our lives to begin and we need to remove them of they still are. We are washed, sanctified, and justified by Christ, remove the bad lump and be a new lump. “For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.” – I Corinthians 5:12-13.
To be puffed up means to brag about or advertise something that is not acceptable as being acceptable, this is one element many Christians have, they become as though they can do everything they want, and even worship God the way they want. Paul addresses the issue of their accepting offerings to idols.
“Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.” – I Corinthians 8:1-7.
“(as there be gods many, and lords many,)” This is often confusing to people, but it does not mean that there are literally several gods and lords, or that they are supernatural. A god or lord back then was often referred to as a prince; a ruler; or judge, still today men of royalty are called lords in some countries. Think about this, we were bought with a price, Christ gave His life for us so we do not have to end up burning in the lake of fire. We should be honored that Christ has chosen us to set an example and show others that while we were once dead in sin we are now risen from the dead and alive through Him. Our bodies have been redeemed by His atoning sacrifice, let’s show Him our gratitude by becoming a new lump in Him. “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.” – II Timothy 2:21.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” – I Corinthians 6:11.
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for sending Your Son to save me, I am redeemed and saved from because I believe in His sinless death, burial, and resurrection, confessed that I am a sinner, and asked Him to save me. While I do not intentionally try to let You down, I know I will at times. Lord, feed me with the spiritual things I need to keep me healthy in mind, body, and spirit. Help me to avoid the lumps of the world that constantly try to defile my relationship with You. Only by Your power can I resist temptation and see Your blessings unfold. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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