Tag: 1st Corinthians 10
That all might be saved!
Scripture reading for July 19th: 1st Corinthians 10
Key scriptures for over-comers: 1st Corinthians 10:31-33 “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God–even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many that they may be saved.”
Over-comers want everyone else to over-come too and bring glory to Christ and God. Believers choose to limit their liberties for the sake of other’s consciences. It is all about love and doing what is truly loving towards others of different ethnic groups or even holding slightly different doctrine concerning what is right or wrong in areas that are debatable. This would include the eating of certain foods or drinking of certain drinks as well as the source of where these came from in the pagan culture. Saving as many as possible is the goal of Christ’s ministers and His own heart!
Observations for over-comers: Reaching people with the gospel of Christ is the main thing. Over-comers must not become legalistic or distracted by petty issues in reaching all people! “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her maids, and she calls from the highest point of the city.” (Proverbs 9:1-3)
Examples from history!
Scripture reading for July 20th: 1st Corinthians 10
“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drink from the spiritual Rock that accompanied them, and that Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered over the desert. Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.” (1st Corinthians 10″1-6)
The Israelites of old were examples for the Church. These Old Testament followers of God experienced mighty acts and demonstrations of God’s presence and power under the leadership of Moses. God delivered them from slavery and lead them to freedom with the cloud of His Presence. He parted the Red Sea and lead them through the walls of water as a type of ‘baptism’ into the new life of freedom. He gave them the ‘manna’ from heaven to eat for 40 years and gave them water from a rock to quench their thirst in the desert. But those that experienced these miracles did not please God! Most perished in the wilderness!
What was it that caused God’s anger towards those He had redeemed? Idolatry and sexual immorality brought the death of twenty-three thousand! (Numbers 25:1-9, 1st Corinthians 10:8) Testing the Lord and grumbling against Him brought poisonous snakes and death. (Numbers 21:5-6) “These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us on whom the end of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm be careful that you don’t fall!” (1st Corinthians 10:11-12)