Day 330 Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 1Corinthians 1–6
Be Sober-minded
To be sober-minded means to think with clarity and see things the way they are. When a person is drunk from an alcoholic beverage, he’s not sober-minded. He may even become boastful. It’s the same when we’re drunk from the feelings of our own self-importance.
Perhaps, we’ve accomplished some goal, or we’re more talented than most in some regions of our lives. Maybe, we've attained a prominent position in an organization. Possibly, we feel superior because we’re associated with someone who has stature. Any of these things might make us think we can behave in any way we want. Is this true? Is this sober-minded thinking?
Paul stayed in Corinth during his second missionary journey and shared the message of Jesus with both Jewish and non-Jewish people. After eighteen months of teaching and persecution by the Jews, he left to go to Ephesus. While traveling, he heard the Corinthian church was having some severe problems, so he wrote letters to address them.
Paul commends them for how they speak of Christ and their knowledge of him (1Corinthians 1:4-5). Still, he rebukes them for their divisiveness, foolishness, and boasting.
Be unified!
Certain groups within the church boast that they follow the Apostle Paul, Cephas (the Apostle Peter), Apollos, or Jesus Christ. Paul and Peter are the most famous of all the apostles. Peter is the most popular with Jewish Christians, while Paul is the most popular with Gentile Christians. Apollos is a captivating speaker and an expert at expounding the Scriptures. Of course, Jesus Christ is the one who saved all of them (and us) by his sacrifice on the cross.
Do we think we are more essential than some other ministry or organization because of the leader we follow? This problem of the Corinthian church can also be our problem. Paul encourages them to think with a right judgment: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?” (1Corinthians 1:13, NIV). The obvious answer is no.
Paul viewed himself as weak and, sometimes, disrespected. In fact, he was an enemy of Christ before he was converted. Paul says,
It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord” (1Corinthians 1:30-31, NIV).
Let's be sober-minded. Paul told the Corinthians that Christ, not some insightful human spiritual leader, gives us wisdom and understanding.
Those who are unbelievers don’t understand this. They follow successful people who have money, influence, and position. They think following Christ is foolishness. Those who see their need for spiritual life, forgiveness, and peace, however, see the wisdom of following Christ, who died for them and rose again. Do we see our need for Christ? (more...).
Paul wants Christians to be sober-minded. He says, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task” (1Corinthians 3:5, NIV).
If we ever join the band wagon because of some spiritual leader, let’s remember we’re all servants with responsibilities from the Lord. And spiritual leaders are as human as we are--sometimes strong and at other times weak and sinful.
Whether we are a minister, musician, usher, or nursery worker, our work is essential. Paul wants the Corinthian church (and us) to be unified.
Give Honor
We should give honor to whom honor is due. There’re leaders whom God has placed in authority over us. We need not despise or envy the position which the Lord gave them. Let’s render due respect, listen to them, and imitate their godly character.
Be an Excellent Example
We should also remember that people watch us like children watch their parents. Parents know their children copy them, no matter if the example they set for them is good or bad. What kind of model are we setting? Let’s be excellent servants of Christ for others to follow.
Be Pure
Not only do the Corinthians have a problem with divisiveness, but they also have a problem with boasting. And they boast about their tolerance and progressiveness! The Corinthian believers have tolerance for immoral relationships. Paul describes it this way:
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: A man has his father’s wife. And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have been filled with grief and have put out of your fellowship the man who did this? (1Corinthians 5:1-2, NIV)
Paul wants the Corinthians to sober up and realize that Christians are called to live pure. Allowing a small fraction of evil in our lives is not something to be proud of; it should cause us to grieve. In bread dough, a little yeast affects the whole lump (1Corinthians 5:6).
Similarly, our churches, families, or other organizations can be ruined by one act of indiscretion by any church member, even a pastor or deacon.
We mustn’t tolerate evil, or be proud of our progressive Christianity, but deal with sin. Yes, it's much easier to talk about the love of Jesus, and to ignore the sin and love the sinner. But, if that's all there is to Christianity, we offer no salvation from their sins, no escape from eternal damnation in hell, no heaven, and no peace for their souls.
And, if we let spiritual leaders get away with sin because of the impact they're making, we should know this is a serious error. Be sure their sin will find them out and your church and ministry will be seriously harmed or you will lose your light altogether. If we don't judge wrong behavior, Jesus will. (See Revelation 1-3)
Be reasonable and just
The Corinthians are also suing each other and having their civil cases tried in a public court. Again, Paul wants them to sober up. When believers air their disputes publicly, they give the entire church family a bad name. Christians with wisdom should be found to mediate our grievances and bring justice and peace. We can and should handle our own affairs whenever possible.
Discussion
What problems did the Corinthians have in the church? In what ways did they need to sober up?
How do we handle divisiveness and other issues in the church?
Focus Verse
3John 1:11 (NIV) “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
Write a private prayer response to today’s Bible study:
Please send your comments to me, Rod (the author)
Looking Ahead: Other issues can divide a church. What does the Bible say about Marriage, Divorce, Singleness, Christian Liberty and Responsibility? Find out in our Next Lesson.
Back to top of page
Return to Chronological Bible Studies main page
Go to Scriptures main page
Go to Topics main page
Go to Home pagere-edited 3-13-24
COPYRIGHT @ 2019, MASTER'S TOUCH BIBLE STUDIES