In Searh Of Truth, 1st Corinthians 10:1-13

Vocab-

 

Baptize- This practice began in Jewish culture to symbolize the conversion of a non-Jew (gentile) into Judaism. It represented a spiritual cleansing, but also a commitment to leave behind previous life patterns to embrace something new. Paul uses this term symbolically in verse 2 of chapter 10, since the Israelites, though not baptized in the literal sense, had committed themselves to a radically new way of life by following Moses and God into the wilderness.

 

 

 

1^st Corinthians 10:1-13

 

Paul has just spent some time discussing why he gives up some of his freedoms and rights in life. In chapter 10, he discusses the importance for all of us to watch how we make use of our freedom, so that it doesn’t cause us or someone around us to disregard the truth.

 

Although Paul has established that Christians can engage the culture around them without sinning, he wants to stress that the danger of cultural influence is still present. Even though Christians are forgiven before God and the Holy Spirit(God himself!) lives inside of them, they are not invincible in matters of sin and they are not free of sin’s consequences in this life, either.

 

Paul makes this point in verses 1-4 by comparing the Christians of his day with the Israelites who traveled with Moses. The ancient Israelites experienced God’s presence like no one before or since. God guided them in the form of a cloud.(Exodus 13:21) God separated the waters of a sea for them to travel through.(Exodus 14:22) God miraculously provided both food and water, daily, to this massive group of wanderers.(Exodus, chapters 16 and 17)

 

Likewise, Christians are guided by God’s word and the Holy Spirit. They are given more than food and water, they are given eternal life! But like the Israelites, Christians can rebel against God. And God is displeased with Christian behavior just like he was made angry by the rebellion on the Israelites.(v. 5)

 

The fate of the Israelites who rebelled was recorded as an example and warning to those of us who follow Christ today. Our freedom and forgiveness should not fool us into thinking that sin isn’t a big deal. We shouldn’t ignore God’s standards.

 

Paul covers a few issues, specifically:

 

First, Paul mentions sexuality here. In our sex-obsessed culture, it’s easy to have a distorted view of what sex is about and for. But God doesn’t want us to develop wrong or unhealthy views of it. It shouldn’t be something we pursue above everything else, and certainly not above our commitment to God. Some ancient Israelite men made this mistake and even worshipped the false gods of their sex partners as a result. (Let’s be honest, guys. Left unchecked, we’ll do just about anything for sex, so this shouldn’t surprise us.) But God had these men put to death. (Numbers 25)

 

Paul also warned against “testing” or “trying” God. This Greek word implies a refusal to trust God before he has manifested his supernatural power to us. It’s a willful rejection of him because he does not do what we think he should do. When the ancient Israelites took on this attitude, God sent poisonous snakes to them, and many died. (Numbers 21:5-6)

 

Paul also connects an attitude of grumbling and complaining to the death of many ancient Israelites!

 

This may seem a little extreme, but what we need to remember is that God is Holy. He is perfect and good on a level we can’t fathom. And his perfect sense of justice has no tolerance for sin of any kind, in any amount. This is an awesome thing, because it means that eternity with God means eternity without ANYTHING that is less than perfect! He doesn’t tolerate it, and so no one spending eternity with God will need to worry about having imperfection around!

 

And thankfully, in line with his perfect sense of justice, we can have complete and just forgiveness for our sins through the immeasurable worth of Christ’s sacrificed life. Those who trust in Jesus for their forgiveness and eternal life, will not only be forgiven, but ultimately, stripped of all sinful tendency, so that we can spend forever with a perfect and perfectly just God.

 

Before that happens, however, we have this life to live. And in this life, God holds us accountable and brings about consequences for our actions. This is what Paul is trying to save us and those around us from. The pain and consequences that come with sin.

 

Because God favors us in ways we don’t deserve, we may not have to worry about suffering immediate death as a result of our sins. But the consequences are often just as concrete and even more far reaching, as our life choices effect not just us, but those around us, potentially leading many away from the truth. And a disregard for truth is possibly the most harmful sin in existence. (Remember 2^nd Thessalonians 2:10?)

 

We’re living in a time in which “the fulfillment of ages has come”. (v. 11) Today, because of Jesus’ sacrificed life, the followers of God have access to him like never before. But this can make us lazy and overconfident as well. “So if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (v.12)

 

The good news here is that God is present in the lives of Christians. We will never experience a temptation that God is not ready and able to deliver us from. But we have to have the willingness to ask for his help and really want a way out of the sin we’re facing.(v.13)

 

Next Week: Living In A Broken World Without Getting Broken

 

Coffee House Question

 

In what areas of life are you “standing firm”? In what ways can you continue to grow in those same areas?