Teaching by example!
Scripture reading for November 22: 1st Corinthians 7-10
I chose my life theme, “Set the Example!”, from The U. S. Army officers training. I was taught that one of the most powerful influences that a leader can have on others is their example. I find this to be biblical as Jesus Christ modeled for us and His disciples the way to live. He lived a life centered on doing God’s will and serving others. The Bible records many examples that are not so good as well. Someone has said, “if you are not good for anything else, you can always be a bad example!”
In 1st Corinthians 10, Paul used some bad examples as warning for us today. There were three main things that Paul exhorted the Corinthians to remember about the Israelites of the Old Testament. They had some great spiritual experiences with the Lord leading them by the cloud and fire and taking them through the Red Sea in a type of baptism. They got to eat “manna” from heaven and drink water from the “Rock” for forty years while they wandered in the desert. They had God’s appointed leader, Moses, praying for them. In spite of these blessings, God was not pleased with them! (1st Corinthians 10:1-5)
Many of the Israelites brought their idols with them while following God out of bondage! They were taught by God to be true to their wives and to Him, but many were sexually immoral as they worshiped these idols and lived in fleshly indulgence. Many grumbled against God and His provision and died from the bite of poisonous snakes and by the destroying angel of death. Their hearts were not right with God in spite of all the supernatural power that they witnessed. They thought they were right with God because of His blessings.
God recorded their bad example of idolatry and immorality as a warning. (1st Corinthians 10:8-10) America is a land of idols! Sports stars, entertainment figures, soap operas, movie stars, popular music stars and politicians all serve as idols. We are sexually immoral and glorify sexual freedom! God’s people are even entangled in these same sins and are in danger for their souls.
Grumbling against God because of unbelief was also a trap. Complaining kept them out of the land of promise and got a whole generation killed off in the desert. The destroying angel, Satan, killed them because of their greed, idolatry, sexual perversion and unbelief. These examples should warn us today and drive us to Christ Jesus. He is our escape from sin, death and temptation. He is always faithful and will deliver those who humbly depend on Him!
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