JULY 7 READING…1 CORINTHIANS 1
As we begin this book it is important that we understand that this letter from Paul is a letter of correction to the church at Corinth. The church had problems with divisions, doctrine, and the practice of their faith. Paul validates his position as an apostle of Jesus Christ…this is important, because if speaks of the authority he has to instruct this church. Paul tells them that he is grateful for them, but then he begins to plead with them to stop the divisions in the church. Contentions had sprung up as people began to take sides as to which church leader they were of…but Paul said that they were in error, for the only One they should be following is Christ. The men who led them were there because of Christ, and they clearly were there to point them to Jesus.
Paul then speaks of the fact that the Gospel is not according to earthly wisdom. The world sees the Gospel as foolishness, but true believers understand it to be the power of God. The world, both Jew and Greek, search for everything except the truth of God found in Jesus. Those who are wise in their own eyes, or in the ways of the world, will miss the simplicity of the Gospel. To say the Gospel is simple doesn’t not diminish how glorious it is. Jesus is the wisdom of God that confounds the wisdom of this world. He is our wisdom…our righteousness…our sanctification…and our redemption. Since Christ is everything for us neither the world, or even men who lead in the church can add anything to what Jesus has given us.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW'S READING…1 CORINTHIANS 2