1 Corinthians 6 – BradRiley.Org

Lent 2016 Daily Devotions-4

“Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?”

1 Cor. 6:7b

Why Not?

We definitely have an aversion to suffering in our culture. I know, nobody should want to suffer, right? Only a masochist would choose to suffer, right? Perhaps, but what of the person who chooses to suffer for the right reasons? The Corinthian people were doing what many in our world today are doing; they avoided suffering or being wronged at all cost. The truth is, there is cost at which it is better to suffer or be wronged. The question is, how do we know when it’s best to choose to suffer or be wronged?

In Lent, we choose to suffer in a very small way. We choose to deny ourselves some thing or activity we would otherwise indulge in, as a matter of discipline. Such discipline is to help us grow in resistance to temptation. But, that is a very small way of suffering. In just about every other way, we here in Western culture have done our best to eliminate suffering.

Have We Gone Too Far?

We have medical care that tries to eliminate or minimize suffering. We have passed laws that allow us to sue others when we feel their actions have caused pain and suffering. Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not against medical care. I think it is given to us as the healing hand of God for our time. And, I’m not against laws and courts designed to protect innocent people. However, in our culture, we seem to have taken the problem St. Paul addressed with the Corinthians to a whole new level.

Our society encourages us to fight back no matter what. People sue other people for the wrongs they feel, far too easily. And too often, this is true among those who are in the church. If Jesus is our model for living, we shouldn’t we be doing a lot more turning the cheek and being willing to be wronged? St. Paul asked the question – why not be wrong? Why is it so important that we right every wrong

For me, a great part of my Lenten journey is learning to identify opportunities to become more Christ like through humility. I’m still a long way from where I need to be on the Humility Scale, but I’m thankful for the journey.

My Prayer for Your Journey

I hope your journey is giving you cause to practice your faith in ways that challenge you. While I pray nothing of harm comes to you, I also pray that the hurts and heartaches that are germane to our fallen world will give you hope to say with St. Paul…why not? Why not suffer and let it grow your character? After all, Romans 8:17 tells us we are heirs with Christ, if we suffer with Him. Why not let yourself be wronged rather than take vengeance? After all, vengeance is the Lord’s (Rom. 12:19). Why not let yourself die…and be raised from the ashes?

Grace & Peace for a Holy Lent,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Click Here to read 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Photograph_of_President_Truman_delivering_his_State_of_the_Union_address_to_a_joint_session_of_Congress._-_NARA_-_200188

You and I aren’t the only ones who look back at the previous year, trying to discern where we are now. The New Year makes even government leaders want to review their status. Every January, the President of the United States and the Governors of the states, even a few mayors of cities give a ‘State of the Union’ (State, or City) address. Most, I think, use the speech as a chance to promote their future agenda rather than truly look at the current status and address the factors led to it.

What about you? What’s the state of your union? You’re probably wondering what union I’m talking about; marriage or relationship, work or personal. Actually, I’m wondering about the state of your spiritual union. St. Paul tells us that if we are ‘united’ to Christ, then we are one in spirit with Him (1 Cor. 16:17). We need to try and get our minds around what that means.

What does ‘one in spirit’ mean?

To be one in spirit is more than just feeling you’re somehow connected because of your knowledge of God, it’s realizing that as a believer and follower of Jesus Christ you are no longer your own. As St. Paul points out in verses 19 and 20, you don’t own yourself, Jesus does. When you put your faith in Him, you accepted his payment for you – the cross. Several places in scripture believers are called ‘bond-servants’. That’s right, we’re slaves. But, we’re slaves to the most loving master in the world; Jesus knows our every need and thought. He knows who we really are and knows our darkest secrets. And get this, He loves us any way! Why? Because He made us, and He knows exactly what we’re capable of being when we give ourselves over to union with Him.

So what’s the state of your Union? If you’re IN Christ, it’s strong. In fact, nothing can breakdown your union with Christ, except your own will, should you desire to leave Him. He never forces Himself on anyone. But, like any union, if there isn’t consistent and open communication, accompanied by a mutual love and respect for each other, then the union cannot only be strained, but eventually broken. Unions are only as strong as the love that binds them together. And, concerning our union with Christ, He brings to our relationship the strongest love possible, the unfailing, unconditional love of God, and that’s why the state of all Union in Christ is strong.

This Week:

If you’re not sure about the strength of your union with Jesus Christ, why not stop and communicate with Him from your heart right now? He’s always ready to hear from you, and to reassure you how much He loves you, and loves being in union with you. Ask him to open your heart each day to see just how precious is your union with Him.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Brad

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

Matthew 5:6

Tag: 1 Corinthians 6

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