Thursday, November 25, 2010

Day 325

J. Book of 1 Corinthians (from Ephesus) ~ cont.
2. Pattern for a prosperous church ~ cont.
d. Proper attitude toward money - 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
e. Jewish heritage reviewed - 1 Corinthians 10:1-15
f. Lord's supper requirements - 1 Corinthians 10:16-33; 11:1-34
g. Spiritual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1-31


"...and that Rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4) - Which put me in remembrance of the song On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand.  There is no other foundation, no other hope, nothing beyond Him.  For in Him we live and breath and have our being.
I am reminded of our brother Peter's confession when asked by our Lord, will you go away also?  "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life."


The Israelites were an example for us, how well have we internalized the lessons?  Lusting after evil things; idolaters; fornication; tempt or tempted; murmuring?


lusting - G1938 - From G1937; a craver.  G1937 - From G1909 and G2372; to set the heart upon, that is, long for (rightfully or otherwise).


evil - G2556 - Apparently a primary word; worthless (intrinsically such; whereas G4190 properly refers to effects), that is, (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious.


idolaters - G1496 - From G1497 and the base of G3000; an image (servant or) worshipper (literally or figuratively).


fornicators - G4203 - From G4204; to act the harlot, that is, (literally) indulge unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practise idolatry.


tempt - G1598 - From G1537 and G3985; to test thoroughly.


tempted - G3985 - From G3984; to test (objectively), that is, endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline.


murmuring - G1111 - Of uncertain derivation; to grumble.


Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)  A very worthwhile admonition.  I can slip into being a Pharisee very easily - completely missing how oft I sin internally.  Lord, show us where we are missing the mark, sinning against You, whether external or internal.  Help us to fervently desire to please You.  Not just in the outward, but more importantly, inwardly.


There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also may a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.  (1 Corinthians 10:13)


Thank God!  :-)  There is much to tempt and test us, Lord, help us to seek to escape the temptations.  To be a presentable bride, wholly desirous of giving a proper estimate of You in all that we say do and think, in our presentation and representation of You.


But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of devils.  (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)


I never paused to think about what this might mean in modern day language.  Abstractly I can imagine what it might have meant to the 1st century church.  They would have had actual 'sacrifices' going on.  The question in my mind is, what 'sacrifices' are going on today that we do see as such?  How immersed with the culture have we become that we do not even recognize that we are worshipping devils or giving some semblance of such?  How set apart and holy is the Bride?

No comments:

Post a Comment