Studying the Bible: Specifically Looking at 1 & 2 Corinthians

            Welcome back everyone! This week we are going to be looking into 1^st and 2^nd Corinthians. These are letters written by Paul to the city of Corinth, a place where he had set up the church. Corinth was right outside of Athens, which made it melting pot of Romans, Greeks and Jews. The Corinthians were very much divided because of this, which causes many difficulties. So Paul pleaded with them to be patient and work together.

“Love is patient…”

1 Corinthians 13:4

            As written by Max Lucado “The Greek word used here for patience is a descriptive one. It figuratively means, “taking a long time to boil.”… Patience “keeps the burner down”” That’s what Paul urges the Corinthians to do. Keep the burner down. “When they tell evil lies about us, we speak nice words about them” (1 Corinthians 4:13). How do we do this? How do we be patient to people who are different than us, or difficult with us? Love. Love is written all throughout Corinthians because Paul knows the key to getting Corinthians to be patient is to teach them love.  He tells them “Knowledge puffs you up with pride, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1), “Three things continue forever; faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13), and commands the Corinthians to “Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). The easiest way to keep the burner down is to love.

“There are different ways to serve the same Lord to serve”

1 Corinthians 12:5

            Despite differences, the Corinthians were urged by Paul to work together. They were told, “We are allowed to do all things, but all things are not good for us to do. We are allowed to do all things but not all things help others grow stronger.” (1 Corinthians 10:23). And isn’t that the goal? To help others grow stronger? After all that’s why God comforts us. “He comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4) And that’s why He gives us stewardship over these things God lends to us like time, talents and money (because remember that stuff isn’t ours, it’s His. We are just stewards.) “At this time you have plenty. What you have can help others who are in need. Then later, when they have plenty, they can help you when you are in need, and all will be equal.” (2 Corinthians 8:14).

            Despite our differences God put us on this Earth to work together for His will. That will require some patience, and some effort. As stated in 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 “But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” Our differences are essential. If we were all the same we would not be an effective body of Christ.

            So now it’s your turn! Who are some people who are different from you? Find them, and help them with patience that only comes from the love of God to find their place in the body of Christ. Then feel free to share in the comments!  Until next week!

Studying the Bible: Specifically Looking into Romans

            This week we are learning about the book of Romans. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans. He enters the bible with the book of Acts as a Jewish man who persecuted Christians heavily, but one day God spoke to him directly and he was converted and become one of the most famous missionaries. It was your classic Gory to Glory testimony.

            The book of Romans is all about our relationship with God. The reason why we need it, what God’s part is in it and what our part is in it.

“I do not understand the things I do, I do not do what I want to do and I do the things I hate.”

Romans 7:15

            Let me tell you a story. A little boy decides one day he wants to do something nice for his dad for father’s day. He thinks and thinks and thinks about what he should do. Finally, he overhears his dad complaining about how much his new paint job on his car is going to cost. Inspiration hits! He decides he will paint his dad’s car himself to save him money! So he goes into the garage and grabs two buckets of paint and a paintbrush and gets to work. When his parents notice his absence his dad walks outside to see his son painting his car with house paint. Did the son know what he was doing? No. Did he succeed in making his father happy? Most likely not. Did he do something bad? You bet.

            That’s what this verse means. We want to do good. We want to do God’s will. However, we do not have the power to do it on our own. John 8:34 tells us that “everyone who sins is a slave to sin”. That’s why we need a relationship with God. Without it sin wins. Like it says in Romans 6:23 “When people sin, they earn what sin pays- death. But God give us a free gift- life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 9:35). He loves us and wants a relationship with us. He took the first step. Now it’s our turn.

“I beg you to offer your lives as a living sacrifice to him. Your offering must be only for God and pleasing to him, which is the spiritual way for you to worship.”

Romans 12:1

            All we have to do to become children of God is let the Spirit lead us (Romans 8:14). Being in constant communion with God will tell us what he wants us to do. We will always have a listening ear, and a comforter in Him. I’ll admit it; being in constant communion with God is not an easy thing to do. I struggle with it myself. That’s why fellowship with other Christians is so important. That’s why I started this blog. Fellowship. Accountability. I want to hear from you just as much as I want you to read my words.

 “I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.”

Romans 1:12 

            So this week I’d like to hear from you. Where are you in this story? Are you still doing what you hate because sin is living inside of you? Have you started a relationship with God, but still would rather be the one leading instead of the Holy Spirit? Or are you in constant communion with our Lord, following in His footsteps? I pray that one day all of you will reach the last one.