I Corinthians 4:1-7
Before attending Baptist Bible College, I earned a math degree at a secular college. A number of the required classes promoted an atheistic and evolutionary philosophy as the only possible truth. Several well known authors writings were read and discussed as definitely supporting Darwins Origin of Species. One writer, a doctor who had spent several years in Africa was especially stressed. His viewpoint was definitely atheistic, and very racially prejudiced.
Afte completing my degree, I went to Bible college, enrolling in the missions course. One of the requirements was to read four specific books about some of the greatest missionaries to increase our understanding and burden for missions. Imagine my surprise when one of the books turned out to ber about a missionary doctor by the same name who had served for several years in Africa. The missions department would never recommend such a man as a missionary, so it had to be sombody of the same name.
After completing the book, I did further research and discovered that the dates of service in Africa were the same, and he mentioned several of the same events. The real shocker was discovering that the missionary was sponsored by the same organisation. It appeared to be the same man. I was troubled that such a man was named as one of the greatest missionaries of all time.
Years later, I ran across a copy of the journal of a second of those "greatest missionaries". In it, the missionary constantly complained about having to work among such an inferior people who were unable to cook what he considered proper meals or launder his clothes in a fashion he was accustomed to. There were numerous days in which he reported praying for 4-6 hours and "the skies were brass and the Lord did not answer." Deuteronomy 28:23 is the only reference to this condition, when God warns that if they get so far from God, he will cause the heaven to be like brass and God will not hear them. Perhaps obedience would have made his prayers more effective.
I suspect that those wo selcted these two as great missionaries had never checked beyond the superficial reporting to discover what they had actually done, and as Proverbs 18:13 says, "He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him."
In I Corinthians 4:1-5, Paul makes the following instructions. "Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
We cannot make valid judgements when we lack sufficient information. How can we judge what a man has done, without knowing more than we know about him. He is a minister of Christ and as long as he is faithful, we really have no way of judging, as we do not know his exact job, as Romans 14:4 points out. God is the only one qualified to judge him.
Paul says that the peoples judgement means very little, as he is unable to even judge himself, much less anyone else. A valid judgement will not be possible until God shows us the things we can't see. Havingserved as a missionary for several years, I can state definitly that some of those who are promoted as the greatest have never even spent time on the field, merely taking credit for other men's labour. Others have done serious harm to the mission work.
Christians in the church, whether pastor, teacher, or just church goer, are equally difficult to judge. How many so called "Great Christians" have turned out to be abusive, or adulterers, or embezzlers? Remember that the Lord looks on the heart, not the outward appearance. Appearance is not everything. Such judgements prove our own lack of spiritual discernment. Needless to say, I cannot recommend David Brainerd and David Livingstone as the greatest missionary examples. I don't know what they actually did, but I have reason to question their claims. I am no better qualified to judge other's claims. This is exactly what Paul tells us in the next two verses.
"And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (I Corinthians 4:6-7)
Monday, March 2, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
But Doctor Bob Says
I Corinthians 3:18-23
Mensa is an organization for people who have higher intelligence than the rest of us. You've probably seen some of their books of puzzles in bookstores. One of them made a great deal of his I.Q. when talking to me. Having worked as a plumber and HVAC technician, I was less impressed after he told me that for three years, he'd had to live without a furnace in Michigasn because he didn't have money enough to hire someone to fix it. I kind of figured that people of normal intelligence could either earn the money, go to the library and get a book about how to do it, or ask someone how to get it fixed. Freezing didn't seem very intelligent when anyone could so easily have learned to fix most problems. It seemed to me like his pride in his intelligence was making him pretty dumb.
Most teachers will tell you that the hardest kids to teach are the ones who think they already know the answer, because they won't pay attention to what you are trying to tell them. As Paul says in I Corinthians 8:2' "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." Our idea that we know is the biggest cause of conflicts among people, because the other person also thinks he knows. As a result we do many things that are wrong, convinced that it is right. Paul advises a different approach.
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." I Corinthians 318-23)
A spiritual man will acknowledge that he may be wrong, and double check before he becomes too dogmatic. He will also recognize that even those men he admires may also be wrong. He will not be like the woman who said "If Dr. Criswell says it, I believe it, even if he hasn't said it yet." That is like the Catholic church doctrine of Papal Infallacy, or the Mormon doctrine that the prophet cannot be wrong. Recognizing human fallibility, we need to be like the Berean Christians that Acts speaks of as being greater than the ones in Thessalonica. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
The greatest Christian in the world says and does things that are wrong, and failure to admit it has caused most of the problems among Christians. That we put men ahead of God is evidenced by the names we call our organizations, and by the number of different groups. If we didn't, there would be no Hyles-Anderson College, Oral Roberts University, or St. Paul Baptist Church.. We would recognize that everything belongs to God, including ourselves. The glory is his alone.
Mensa is an organization for people who have higher intelligence than the rest of us. You've probably seen some of their books of puzzles in bookstores. One of them made a great deal of his I.Q. when talking to me. Having worked as a plumber and HVAC technician, I was less impressed after he told me that for three years, he'd had to live without a furnace in Michigasn because he didn't have money enough to hire someone to fix it. I kind of figured that people of normal intelligence could either earn the money, go to the library and get a book about how to do it, or ask someone how to get it fixed. Freezing didn't seem very intelligent when anyone could so easily have learned to fix most problems. It seemed to me like his pride in his intelligence was making him pretty dumb.
Most teachers will tell you that the hardest kids to teach are the ones who think they already know the answer, because they won't pay attention to what you are trying to tell them. As Paul says in I Corinthians 8:2' "And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know." Our idea that we know is the biggest cause of conflicts among people, because the other person also thinks he knows. As a result we do many things that are wrong, convinced that it is right. Paul advises a different approach.
"Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." I Corinthians 318-23)
A spiritual man will acknowledge that he may be wrong, and double check before he becomes too dogmatic. He will also recognize that even those men he admires may also be wrong. He will not be like the woman who said "If Dr. Criswell says it, I believe it, even if he hasn't said it yet." That is like the Catholic church doctrine of Papal Infallacy, or the Mormon doctrine that the prophet cannot be wrong. Recognizing human fallibility, we need to be like the Berean Christians that Acts speaks of as being greater than the ones in Thessalonica. "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." (Acts 17:11)
The greatest Christian in the world says and does things that are wrong, and failure to admit it has caused most of the problems among Christians. That we put men ahead of God is evidenced by the names we call our organizations, and by the number of different groups. If we didn't, there would be no Hyles-Anderson College, Oral Roberts University, or St. Paul Baptist Church.. We would recognize that everything belongs to God, including ourselves. The glory is his alone.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Laborers Together
I Corinthians 3:10-17
I have done a lot of work as a plumber, and in the process watched a lot of builders. it is standard practice for a team of specialists to lay out and pour the foundation. Once the foundation is finished, a framing crew begins to build the house. they put up the walls, trusses and sheeting on the walls and roof. At this point the plumbers, HVAC people and electricians install the concealed parts of their work. The roofers are called in and install the finished roof.
Once the mechanical trades have their required wiring, piping and ductwork in place, the insulation is installed and the dry wall crew begins to finish the inside walls. the siding crew starts to put the final surface on the outside walls. As the walls are completed, trim crews install doors, base boards and other trim. A paint crew applies finishes to each completed section. Finally. flooring crews install carpet and tile and the plumbers, hvac people and electricians install toilets, sinks, lights and furnaces. Detail work is done and finally the house is completed. Each specialized crew accomplishes the part they have been given and contributes to the house becoming what the owner desires. They work together.
Normally, there is little conflict between the various crews, although from time to time it may be neccessary to modify a part of what one group has done to accomodate the needs of another group. Occasionally, however one finds someone who ignores the needs of all the rest, concerned only with his part. Perhaps a plumber discovers that a certain beam or joist is in his way. Rather than rerouting his piping or consulting with the framer, he saws out the beam or truss, weakening the building.
The plumber has demonstrated a disdain for the labor and skill of the framing crew, and clearly has no interest in the integrity of the house, being only interested in his own convenience. This results in strife between the plumber and other crews, and the plumber may be fired. Several times it has been my job to try to finish jobs where the former plumber had done such things. Needless to say, the framers and other crews were sonmewhat antagonistic in such cases, and it is neccessary for me to rebuild trust. As a result the entire project was hindered.
Paul uses this very scenario in describing the relationship of different teachers and pastors in a church. Notice his instructions in I Corinthians 3:10-15.
"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
A new pastor may well find that everything the former pastor did does not exactly match his goals and plans. Many, faced with such a situation, take the bad plumbers approach, ignoring the church to forward their own agenda. The church may be so conditioned to doing things a certain way that they are resistant to change. Conflicts arise, proving that neither side is spiritual. Frequently the church is destroyed as a result. It is common to blame the former pastor, or the church for the problem.
Paul instructs Timothey to be an example in I Timothy 4:12. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." It is his responsibility to set a spiritual example. It is primarily his responsibility to adapt his approach in such a way as to eliminate conflict. Titus 1:7 teaches that a pastor must not be selfwilled, not determined to have his own way. The qualifications given in Titus 1, and in I Timothy 3 are for the purpose of identifying spiritual men to be pastors. If these traits are not present, the man is not spiritual and is not qualified to pastor.
Paul warns that we are responsible for how we build and what we build on the foundation which was laid. Failure to build with proper materials , or in a proper manner will result in loss. We are God's Temple, his project and anyone who messes it up will be punished, whether pastor, or we ourselves. I Coointhians 3:16-17 makes this clear. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Even correction of false doctrine or overt sin must be done in a manner that is pleasing to God. The problems addressed in I Corinthians are all the result of unspiritual attitudes and Paul gives instructions as to how to approach then from a spiritual point.
I have done a lot of work as a plumber, and in the process watched a lot of builders. it is standard practice for a team of specialists to lay out and pour the foundation. Once the foundation is finished, a framing crew begins to build the house. they put up the walls, trusses and sheeting on the walls and roof. At this point the plumbers, HVAC people and electricians install the concealed parts of their work. The roofers are called in and install the finished roof.
Once the mechanical trades have their required wiring, piping and ductwork in place, the insulation is installed and the dry wall crew begins to finish the inside walls. the siding crew starts to put the final surface on the outside walls. As the walls are completed, trim crews install doors, base boards and other trim. A paint crew applies finishes to each completed section. Finally. flooring crews install carpet and tile and the plumbers, hvac people and electricians install toilets, sinks, lights and furnaces. Detail work is done and finally the house is completed. Each specialized crew accomplishes the part they have been given and contributes to the house becoming what the owner desires. They work together.
Normally, there is little conflict between the various crews, although from time to time it may be neccessary to modify a part of what one group has done to accomodate the needs of another group. Occasionally, however one finds someone who ignores the needs of all the rest, concerned only with his part. Perhaps a plumber discovers that a certain beam or joist is in his way. Rather than rerouting his piping or consulting with the framer, he saws out the beam or truss, weakening the building.
The plumber has demonstrated a disdain for the labor and skill of the framing crew, and clearly has no interest in the integrity of the house, being only interested in his own convenience. This results in strife between the plumber and other crews, and the plumber may be fired. Several times it has been my job to try to finish jobs where the former plumber had done such things. Needless to say, the framers and other crews were sonmewhat antagonistic in such cases, and it is neccessary for me to rebuild trust. As a result the entire project was hindered.
Paul uses this very scenario in describing the relationship of different teachers and pastors in a church. Notice his instructions in I Corinthians 3:10-15.
"According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
A new pastor may well find that everything the former pastor did does not exactly match his goals and plans. Many, faced with such a situation, take the bad plumbers approach, ignoring the church to forward their own agenda. The church may be so conditioned to doing things a certain way that they are resistant to change. Conflicts arise, proving that neither side is spiritual. Frequently the church is destroyed as a result. It is common to blame the former pastor, or the church for the problem.
Paul instructs Timothey to be an example in I Timothy 4:12. "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." It is his responsibility to set a spiritual example. It is primarily his responsibility to adapt his approach in such a way as to eliminate conflict. Titus 1:7 teaches that a pastor must not be selfwilled, not determined to have his own way. The qualifications given in Titus 1, and in I Timothy 3 are for the purpose of identifying spiritual men to be pastors. If these traits are not present, the man is not spiritual and is not qualified to pastor.
Paul warns that we are responsible for how we build and what we build on the foundation which was laid. Failure to build with proper materials , or in a proper manner will result in loss. We are God's Temple, his project and anyone who messes it up will be punished, whether pastor, or we ourselves. I Coointhians 3:16-17 makes this clear. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Even correction of false doctrine or overt sin must be done in a manner that is pleasing to God. The problems addressed in I Corinthians are all the result of unspiritual attitudes and Paul gives instructions as to how to approach then from a spiritual point.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Who is the Greatest Christian Leader?
I Corinthians 3:4-9
My dad started the church I am pastoring. When Dad retired, a young man accepted the pastorate, and a few people left the church on the grounds that he was too young. They were the same ones who had told Dad he was too old. When Jason left, another man came as pastor and several left because "Church just wasn't fun anymore." Jeff pastored next, and when he left, several others left immediately because Jeff would no longer be the pastor. Another man decided that a former pastor of his should take the church and proceeded to contact the man and ask him to come. The man refused saying that he did not believe God wanted him tyo leave where he was, so the man who called him left as well.
Apparently, the church at Corinth had had some similar problems from what Paul tells us. They were quibbling over who was better equipped because they had been taught by different teachers, and were separating into factions based on Paul, Apollos, and Peter(Cephas). Some had not been under any of these ministries and could only claim Christ. Notice Pauls comments.
"For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." (I Corinthians 3:4-9)
In chapter one, Paul pointed out that Christ was the only one who was crucified for their sins. Here he shows that the others, himself included, were just messengers who brought the gospel. Each was there at different times to fulfill needs in the church at a specific point. Paul had started the work by blanting the seed. Apollos took what Paul started and moved it ahead by watering and helping it to grow. Others contributed at different points.
They were not in competition. Each one had a specific part to play and they had done that. The failure to recognize this was a result of the carnal state of the people in the church. Neither Paul, nor Apollos, nor the other teachers they had were to be set above others. Even comparing their results was carnal, since any meaningful results were God's doing, rather than the men's.
Today we see men such as Billy Graham, Jack Hyles, Oral Roberts, and others highly respected and exalted. If they are servants of God, they are still only messengers, their results are still God's doing and the credit belongs to God, not the man. Giving the credit to man, and comparing them to each other only demonstrates our own carnality. Selecting a person because they are a product of a certain man's ministry or rejecting them because they are not is definitely carnal. They are to be God's product if they are to be of benefit to the church.
Jesus did not say you would know them by their works, but by their fruits. Carnality is identified by works(actions), but spirituality by fruit(characteristics in ones life), according to Galatians 5. Failure to recognize the difference produces confusion. The disagreement, which the Corinthians probably viewed as establishing who was more spiritual, proved only that they were not. It has the same result today.
My dad started the church I am pastoring. When Dad retired, a young man accepted the pastorate, and a few people left the church on the grounds that he was too young. They were the same ones who had told Dad he was too old. When Jason left, another man came as pastor and several left because "Church just wasn't fun anymore." Jeff pastored next, and when he left, several others left immediately because Jeff would no longer be the pastor. Another man decided that a former pastor of his should take the church and proceeded to contact the man and ask him to come. The man refused saying that he did not believe God wanted him tyo leave where he was, so the man who called him left as well.
Apparently, the church at Corinth had had some similar problems from what Paul tells us. They were quibbling over who was better equipped because they had been taught by different teachers, and were separating into factions based on Paul, Apollos, and Peter(Cephas). Some had not been under any of these ministries and could only claim Christ. Notice Pauls comments.
"For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building." (I Corinthians 3:4-9)
In chapter one, Paul pointed out that Christ was the only one who was crucified for their sins. Here he shows that the others, himself included, were just messengers who brought the gospel. Each was there at different times to fulfill needs in the church at a specific point. Paul had started the work by blanting the seed. Apollos took what Paul started and moved it ahead by watering and helping it to grow. Others contributed at different points.
They were not in competition. Each one had a specific part to play and they had done that. The failure to recognize this was a result of the carnal state of the people in the church. Neither Paul, nor Apollos, nor the other teachers they had were to be set above others. Even comparing their results was carnal, since any meaningful results were God's doing, rather than the men's.
Today we see men such as Billy Graham, Jack Hyles, Oral Roberts, and others highly respected and exalted. If they are servants of God, they are still only messengers, their results are still God's doing and the credit belongs to God, not the man. Giving the credit to man, and comparing them to each other only demonstrates our own carnality. Selecting a person because they are a product of a certain man's ministry or rejecting them because they are not is definitely carnal. They are to be God's product if they are to be of benefit to the church.
Jesus did not say you would know them by their works, but by their fruits. Carnality is identified by works(actions), but spirituality by fruit(characteristics in ones life), according to Galatians 5. Failure to recognize the difference produces confusion. The disagreement, which the Corinthians probably viewed as establishing who was more spiritual, proved only that they were not. It has the same result today.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Effects of Carnality on the Church
I Corinthians 3:1-3
Carnal, a. [from caro, carnis, flesh] Pertaining to the body, its passions and appetites; not spiritual; fleshly; sensual; lustful; impure. From the Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (I Corinthians 3:1-3)
Paul had just told the people of Corinth that we are only able to understand the things of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now he tells them that he was unable to speak to them as spiritual people, because they were unable to handle it. They could not recieve the deeper, more mature things when he was there because they were new Christians. Unfortunately, they have still not matured, and still can't. They are still carnal and that carnality has stopped their spiritual growth. The description in Hebrews 5:12-14 fits them.
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
They should have grown to the point where they were ready for spiritual maturity, and to take on responsibility for teaching others, but instead had to go back to the very basics and get them down again. They had to go back to kindergarten when they should have been graduating from college. They haven't got the basics correct. They still have defective understanding of what right and wrong are.
Often carnal people desire to teach others. Paul describes them in I Timothy1:7, "Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. " They try to teach what they have no understanding of themselves. A teacher must know the subject better than those he is trying to teach. This is the cause of several problems in the church at Corinth that Paul deals with in later chapters, as well as in the modern church. Leadership is often not spiritual.
As Paul makes clear, the strife and divisions among them are proof that they are carnal, living as natural men, rather than as those who are led of the spirit. Galatians 5:19-21 describes carnal actions. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Jealousy, uncontrolled anger and strife are some of the natural results of carnality, and the antithesis of spirituality. If the Holy spirit is leading there will be real unity. We will not need to agree to disagree about doctrinal matters, because we will all come to the knowledge of the truth. A lifestyle controlled by the flesh implies one does not know the Lord, is not saved.
Carnal, a. [from caro, carnis, flesh] Pertaining to the body, its passions and appetites; not spiritual; fleshly; sensual; lustful; impure. From the Webster Encyclopedic Dictionary.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (I Corinthians 3:1-3)
Paul had just told the people of Corinth that we are only able to understand the things of God through the power of the Holy Spirit. Now he tells them that he was unable to speak to them as spiritual people, because they were unable to handle it. They could not recieve the deeper, more mature things when he was there because they were new Christians. Unfortunately, they have still not matured, and still can't. They are still carnal and that carnality has stopped their spiritual growth. The description in Hebrews 5:12-14 fits them.
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
They should have grown to the point where they were ready for spiritual maturity, and to take on responsibility for teaching others, but instead had to go back to the very basics and get them down again. They had to go back to kindergarten when they should have been graduating from college. They haven't got the basics correct. They still have defective understanding of what right and wrong are.
Often carnal people desire to teach others. Paul describes them in I Timothy1:7, "Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. " They try to teach what they have no understanding of themselves. A teacher must know the subject better than those he is trying to teach. This is the cause of several problems in the church at Corinth that Paul deals with in later chapters, as well as in the modern church. Leadership is often not spiritual.
As Paul makes clear, the strife and divisions among them are proof that they are carnal, living as natural men, rather than as those who are led of the spirit. Galatians 5:19-21 describes carnal actions. "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
Jealousy, uncontrolled anger and strife are some of the natural results of carnality, and the antithesis of spirituality. If the Holy spirit is leading there will be real unity. We will not need to agree to disagree about doctrinal matters, because we will all come to the knowledge of the truth. A lifestyle controlled by the flesh implies one does not know the Lord, is not saved.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Understanding the Things of God
I Corinthians 2:9-16
"I just don't understand women."
I suspect every guy feels that way sometimes. I would guess that women feel the same way about guys. One marriage counselor, speaking to a womens group, used the illustration of a man asking a woman to help him move a table. She smiled and nodded, but diddn't follow when he started toward the table. He asked repeatedly, with the same results and became quite angry after repeated attempts. Another person entered and began speaking to her in Japanese. After a few seconds, the newcomer asked the man what he had said, since the woman spoke no english. The man regretted his anger, but it was too late. The counselor said that many times it is that hard for a man and woman to understand each other, just using words.
They're both humans, and may both speak the same language. They have the same physical needs and probably share some of the same interests. They share some common experiences. Despite these things in common, they still have trouble fully understanding each other. How much harder for a person who speaks another language and is from a different culture? What about animals understanding humans? Imagine a domesticated cow trying to explain a human to a wild cow who had never seen a human, after the wild cow runs into a fence built by humans. The wild cow can definitely see something the human built, but could reject his very existence, as she could not picture the human. She could well decide the domestic cow was stupid for believing in such as creature.
We run into that very problem understanding God. He is even more different from us than a cow is. Cow and human both live on earth, require food, water and air. Both experience birth, and death. Both are bound by constraints of time, distance and strength. Natural laws such as gravity govern most of what we can do. God is bound by none of these things. As a result, it is impossible to truly understand him with a normal logical mind. As a result, people often reject the very existence of God. Our belief in his existence on nonexistence does not affect whether he exists any more than the cow's belief affects the human's existence.
Paul describes this in I Corinthians 2:9-16. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
"I just don't understand women."
I suspect every guy feels that way sometimes. I would guess that women feel the same way about guys. One marriage counselor, speaking to a womens group, used the illustration of a man asking a woman to help him move a table. She smiled and nodded, but diddn't follow when he started toward the table. He asked repeatedly, with the same results and became quite angry after repeated attempts. Another person entered and began speaking to her in Japanese. After a few seconds, the newcomer asked the man what he had said, since the woman spoke no english. The man regretted his anger, but it was too late. The counselor said that many times it is that hard for a man and woman to understand each other, just using words.
They're both humans, and may both speak the same language. They have the same physical needs and probably share some of the same interests. They share some common experiences. Despite these things in common, they still have trouble fully understanding each other. How much harder for a person who speaks another language and is from a different culture? What about animals understanding humans? Imagine a domesticated cow trying to explain a human to a wild cow who had never seen a human, after the wild cow runs into a fence built by humans. The wild cow can definitely see something the human built, but could reject his very existence, as she could not picture the human. She could well decide the domestic cow was stupid for believing in such as creature.
We run into that very problem understanding God. He is even more different from us than a cow is. Cow and human both live on earth, require food, water and air. Both experience birth, and death. Both are bound by constraints of time, distance and strength. Natural laws such as gravity govern most of what we can do. God is bound by none of these things. As a result, it is impossible to truly understand him with a normal logical mind. As a result, people often reject the very existence of God. Our belief in his existence on nonexistence does not affect whether he exists any more than the cow's belief affects the human's existence.
Paul describes this in I Corinthians 2:9-16. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
God has given us his Holy Spirit to enable us to understand a little about God. Without his enabling, our picture is very distorted. This is why there are so many different religions in the world. Mankind tries to understand God by natural logic. As a result, he nearly alwasys pictures God as similar to something he is familiar with. What he pictures is as far from reality as what the wild cow might picture about humans. Even our imagination is limited to what he have some concept about.
I heard an "evangelist" describe how he wanted to run out and swing on those pearly gates of Heaven like he had swung on the corral gate as a child. Imagine a gate in a wall 1200 miles high and 1200 miles long which has only 3 gates. Each gate is made of a single pearl. How much will that gate weigh? He'll probably swing that gate about as much as a fly landing on the corral gate. His picture is based on a description, but it is implausible. As Paul says, we can't even begin to imagine the things of God, except therough his Spirit's power.
When we begin to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal God to us, there will be consistency between our understanding and that of others who have allowed the Spirit to teach them regardless of their background. To simply empty our mind and just accept whatever comes in as truly picturing God leaves us exposed to lies as well as truth. We must check if we want a valid view and belief. Start by comparing your understanding with that of the men who wrote the Bible.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Faith in God's Power
I Corinthians 2:1-8
The other night, I read an Internet marketing program e-book. The author said one can make vast amounts of money by following his strategy. Essentially, one can get an affiliate identification to a product by contacting the product owner. Using that Id., one can then send buyers to a sales website and collect a commision for every sale which results. The most effective way of finding prospects is by getting the search engines such a Google or Yahoo to list that page as an important site for the particular subject.
Such a listing can be obtained by getting a lot of other sites to point people to the sales page. The quickest way of doing this is by publishing a lot of different articles, which are carried on these other sites. Many blogs and directories carry such articles to help their customers with their problems. The author of the e-book stated that by going to a directory and finding an article on the subject, then rewriting it in your own words and including that Id, one should be able to churn out 2-4 articles per hour. By completely rewriting the article, plagarism complaints would be avoided, and it didn't really matter if you knew anything about the subject or not, or whether you could write well, as long as you had enough articles published.
The Apostle Paul wanted to know the subject he preached completely. He wanted to to be so clear that people understood his subject clearly, ratherr than being impressed with his knowledge of the subject. Notice his description of his philosophy.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:1-8)
For the gospel to be effective, Paul believed that it was essential that the preacher have personal experience of that subject, which shows in his simple way of expressing it. There is an old saying that if you can't explain your subject to a 10 year old, you don't know what you are talking about. In order to do so, you will have to use words and demonstrations that they, and others can understand. Many with degrees do not understand their subject well enough to explain it, although they can perform the functions very well. as a result, their attempts to help others often increase rather than resolve confusion.
People do not automatically understand God's plan, and even many who are considered experts in the field lack personal knowledge, depending on someone else's knowledge. This leads to superficial and false conclusions in any field. Fortunately, most do not have the eternal consequences of doctrinal errors. Rather than knowing the accepted religious positions, we need to know the Lord. Demonstrating the power of God in the speakers life enables others to understand and believe.
The other night, I read an Internet marketing program e-book. The author said one can make vast amounts of money by following his strategy. Essentially, one can get an affiliate identification to a product by contacting the product owner. Using that Id., one can then send buyers to a sales website and collect a commision for every sale which results. The most effective way of finding prospects is by getting the search engines such a Google or Yahoo to list that page as an important site for the particular subject.
Such a listing can be obtained by getting a lot of other sites to point people to the sales page. The quickest way of doing this is by publishing a lot of different articles, which are carried on these other sites. Many blogs and directories carry such articles to help their customers with their problems. The author of the e-book stated that by going to a directory and finding an article on the subject, then rewriting it in your own words and including that Id, one should be able to churn out 2-4 articles per hour. By completely rewriting the article, plagarism complaints would be avoided, and it didn't really matter if you knew anything about the subject or not, or whether you could write well, as long as you had enough articles published.
The Apostle Paul wanted to know the subject he preached completely. He wanted to to be so clear that people understood his subject clearly, ratherr than being impressed with his knowledge of the subject. Notice his description of his philosophy.
"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (I Corinthians 2:1-8)
For the gospel to be effective, Paul believed that it was essential that the preacher have personal experience of that subject, which shows in his simple way of expressing it. There is an old saying that if you can't explain your subject to a 10 year old, you don't know what you are talking about. In order to do so, you will have to use words and demonstrations that they, and others can understand. Many with degrees do not understand their subject well enough to explain it, although they can perform the functions very well. as a result, their attempts to help others often increase rather than resolve confusion.
People do not automatically understand God's plan, and even many who are considered experts in the field lack personal knowledge, depending on someone else's knowledge. This leads to superficial and false conclusions in any field. Fortunately, most do not have the eternal consequences of doctrinal errors. Rather than knowing the accepted religious positions, we need to know the Lord. Demonstrating the power of God in the speakers life enables others to understand and believe.
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