Do not be swayed by false teachers (1 Corinthians 3:1-9)


Read 1 Corinthians 3:1-9

Paul wrote the letter to the Corinthians to address several problems going on in the church of Corinth. In our text, he addresses their immorality, divisions in the church, and their spiritual immaturity. It is so important that Paul actually writes about it more than once in the same letter. In chapter 1, Paul appeals to the brothers in the church to agree and be united. In order for this to happen, they must stop quarreling over who they follow. The Corinthians were divided into several factions, each claiming to follow different teachers. Paul points out how completed wrong this is. As he says in chapter 1:13, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" Paul goes so far as to call them "worldly - mere infants in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:1). Oh, how easy it is for us to follow false ideas! When things like this creep into the church, we need to remember the very foundations of the gospel. Only Jesus can save you and redeem you. Our faith is founded in the knowledge that God is the only one who we are to worship. We must not hold up people or animals or things as idols. We follow God alone, for salvation is only through Him. When we come across new ideals or beliefs, we can ask ourselves a very basic question: is this in line with the Word of God? The Bible warns us that false teachers will come, "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly, they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit, you will know them" (Matthew 7:15-16). As Christians, we are to weigh everything against the gospel. Many will try to sway you from the truth. Study God's Word diligently so you'll be able to recognize false prophets and ideas. "Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." (Ephesians 6:11 NIV)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desiring Children Part 1

Image
Read Genesis 16, and Genesis 18:1-15 The desire for children is something many struggle with. Some struggle to get pregnant, some struggle with the loss of pregnancies, and some struggle with the lack of control over having children. These are not new difficulties but have been the struggles of many women dating all the way back to Biblical times. While I personally never struggled with getting pregnant, I wrestled with the desire for and the loss of children. I know the constant anxiety of wondering if each month was the one I'd get pregnant in; many times, I cried out to God to let me have a child to hold and keep. Nine times I prayed that God would let each child live. Nine times I was denied, and my child was called to our heavenly home. The desire for children is something most people eventually feel at some point but most take for granted that it will all go as they expect. We simply don't think of all that can go wrong, until it does. You're not alone in your strugg
Read more

Cleanse me, oh God!

Image
As a child, I often liked to play outside. Like many kids, I liked making mud pies and playing with dirt. There's several ways children will play; some get right down on their hands and knees or even sit right in the mud. They're not afraid to get dirty. Some, like me, liked to play with the mud but didn't really want to get filthy. I would crouch down and use sticks and occasionally use my hands. I wanted to have fun but didn't really want to get messy. Then, there are still other children who don't want to play with mud or have anything to do with getting dirty. But you can never truly avoid all puddles, especially when it's raining. In a way, you can compare the mud to sin. Some people wallow in their sin, loving every minute and not caring how dirty they get. Others want to have the fun and pleasure sin can bring but don't want to get too dirty. It's just a little fun. And then there are those who, by God's grace, strive to live a life apart from
Read more

Slaves and masters. A series on Ephesians Part 12 (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Image
Read Ephesians 6: 5-9 Today's text is a difficult subject. Slavery was not part of God's intended design, so why do we see it in the Bible? Paul does not condone slavery; however, because of the socioeconomic situation of the Roman occupation, it was an embedded institution. The Christians Paul wrote to were subject to Roman laws, and therefore, many Jews were either slaves or masters.  Paul wrote a lot about our attitudes and how we should live our lives in the various roles we are placed in. This is why he wrote to slaves and masters. As with so many of his instructions, Paul addresses both perspectives and points them to God. No matter your station or status in this life, we are equal, in Christ, before God. Although we do not have slavery in our society here now, we can compare this relationship to that of an employer and employee. We can look at what Paul instructs and use it in whatever our job is here and now. What, then, should we ascertain from today's passage? Thr
Read more