wash n' word
Menu
1 corinthians 3:1-4
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
We can begin by safely saying that human wisdom brings differing viewpoints. If you consider the first two chapters, [chapter one dealing with division, mainly in regard to teachings/teachers and chapter 2 dealing with the wisdom of men vs. the wisdom of God.] we see why Paul is about to illuminate the effects that thinking has on the body.
At this point in the letter, we can, for the sake of argument, assume that people have banded together and decided to follow Jesus. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon godly men, they have banded together in a church putting the worldly wisdom and philosophy behind them.
So we have like minded believers, seeking biblical truth in one building together…reminds me of a joke I just made up… “What do you get when you put 50 or more Christians together in the same room for more than 30 minutes? Answer: Chapter 3.
There are three sections to this chapter. V.1-4 deals with what we often term in Christian circles as “Carnal Christians”. In V. 5-15 we have what I term as “Ministry Motivations”. V.16-23 When we move onto maturity and proper service we can realize who we are and what we are capable of or “Peak Potential”
V.1-4--Carnal Christianity is a term heard often in Christian circles. Sadly and if the truth be told, it basically refers to anyone except you.
The word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.” But can you really be carnal AND Christian or fleshly AND faithful? To act sinfully is to act carnally. Therefore, since the Bible is clear we all still sin, in some ways, in some area’s, we are all carnal Christians to some degree.
Just as we are never going to be sinless, we can rightly assume we will never be carnal-less (I know, not a word). So, the goal of attaining Christian maturity and holiness is the same as it is towards being sinless. That is, striving to be as sinless as possible or as least carnal as possible.
How do we do that? We don’t! We can’t! That is why God gave us His Spirit. He gave us His Spirit to do battle against the flesh. That is called sanctification. What is the definition of sanctification? It means in its most simplistic meaning, to be separated or separation.
For the Christian, that meaning is 3 fold. We have been sanctified at conversion. We are being sanctified through the Holy Spirit. And we will be sanctified when we see Jesus. This is both encouraging and sometimes discouraging. Discouraging, because when we look at great Christians we say to ourselves, “Oh we will never attain such status, such maturity, such faith!” Encouraging because we know that the Spirit is still working in, on and for us.
Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts:
"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment."
A true Christian, in times of failure and weakness, may appear carnal, but a true Christian will not remain that way. The Bible is clear that fruit must accompany the new creation change or the change never really took place. We always wonder who are those whom Jesus said “Away from me…I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). So we all slip, we all fall, but to continue in it? That is the challenge.
Christians who continue in carnality will be visited by conscience first. Then, if that fails, conviction of the Holy Spirit. Then if they persist in it, divine correction. God will correct you.
In your sin, if you do not experience conscience, conviction or correctness, you better find the nearest mirror and ask “mirror mirror on the wall am I even a Christian after all?
If conscience, conviction and correction do not change you, then you are in danger of being among those Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:23…“away from me…”
Read on in chapter 3 as we continue to explore sanctification through service and ministry.
Be blessed.
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?
We can begin by safely saying that human wisdom brings differing viewpoints. If you consider the first two chapters, [chapter one dealing with division, mainly in regard to teachings/teachers and chapter 2 dealing with the wisdom of men vs. the wisdom of God.] we see why Paul is about to illuminate the effects that thinking has on the body.
At this point in the letter, we can, for the sake of argument, assume that people have banded together and decided to follow Jesus. With the inspiration of the Holy Spirit upon godly men, they have banded together in a church putting the worldly wisdom and philosophy behind them.
So we have like minded believers, seeking biblical truth in one building together…reminds me of a joke I just made up… “What do you get when you put 50 or more Christians together in the same room for more than 30 minutes? Answer: Chapter 3.
There are three sections to this chapter. V.1-4 deals with what we often term in Christian circles as “Carnal Christians”. In V. 5-15 we have what I term as “Ministry Motivations”. V.16-23 When we move onto maturity and proper service we can realize who we are and what we are capable of or “Peak Potential”
V.1-4--Carnal Christianity is a term heard often in Christian circles. Sadly and if the truth be told, it basically refers to anyone except you.
The word “carnal” is translated from the Greek word sarkikos, which literally means “fleshly.” But can you really be carnal AND Christian or fleshly AND faithful? To act sinfully is to act carnally. Therefore, since the Bible is clear we all still sin, in some ways, in some area’s, we are all carnal Christians to some degree.
Just as we are never going to be sinless, we can rightly assume we will never be carnal-less (I know, not a word). So, the goal of attaining Christian maturity and holiness is the same as it is towards being sinless. That is, striving to be as sinless as possible or as least carnal as possible.
How do we do that? We don’t! We can’t! That is why God gave us His Spirit. He gave us His Spirit to do battle against the flesh. That is called sanctification. What is the definition of sanctification? It means in its most simplistic meaning, to be separated or separation.
For the Christian, that meaning is 3 fold. We have been sanctified at conversion. We are being sanctified through the Holy Spirit. And we will be sanctified when we see Jesus. This is both encouraging and sometimes discouraging. Discouraging, because when we look at great Christians we say to ourselves, “Oh we will never attain such status, such maturity, such faith!” Encouraging because we know that the Spirit is still working in, on and for us.
Amy Carmichael once penned these thoughts:
"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment."
A true Christian, in times of failure and weakness, may appear carnal, but a true Christian will not remain that way. The Bible is clear that fruit must accompany the new creation change or the change never really took place. We always wonder who are those whom Jesus said “Away from me…I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23). So we all slip, we all fall, but to continue in it? That is the challenge.
Christians who continue in carnality will be visited by conscience first. Then, if that fails, conviction of the Holy Spirit. Then if they persist in it, divine correction. God will correct you.
In your sin, if you do not experience conscience, conviction or correctness, you better find the nearest mirror and ask “mirror mirror on the wall am I even a Christian after all?
If conscience, conviction and correction do not change you, then you are in danger of being among those Jesus talks about in Matthew 7:23…“away from me…”
Read on in chapter 3 as we continue to explore sanctification through service and ministry.
Be blessed.
Proudly powered by Weebly