Seeking the Life in Christ: May 2022

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Paul’s Higher Standard

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 31, 2022

Paul’s Higher Standard

When we bless the cup at the Lord’s Table, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 10:16

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Paul again returns to the theme of eating meat sacrificed to idols. Previously, Paul called the church to the self-sacrificial living that he describes explicitly in Philippians 2:3-4. (Quoted on May 20 & 23) In today’s passage, he is appealing to a higher standard. I remember standing in the courtyard during a break between seminary classes. A couple of the students were smoking. Another student passed by and quipped, “Do you kiss your wife with that mouth?” This is pointing to Paul’s higher standard.

In verse 16, quoted above, Paul reminds the church of the deep spiritual significance in our participation in the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. Paul was asserting that it was repulsive to have something sacrificed to a demon pass the same lips that had tasted the bread and wine of Holy Communion. Paul is quite blunt: you can’t partake at the Lord’s Table, and of the table of demons too. (v.21)

My Takeaway: To the best of my knowledge, I have never been offered food or drink that had been sacrificed to idols or demons. How then do I draw meaning from today’s passage to my life? I recall a quote in my May 26 meditation: “There are some things that we simply cannot agree to disagree on.” Here is another topic in need of serious meditation: Are there places in my life where I am not fulfilling the ways of God so that I can go along to get along?

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life. The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Monday, May 30, 2022

The Temptations in Your Life

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 30, 2022

The Temptations in Your Life

The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

1 Corinthians 10:13

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:6-13

In today’s passage, Paul is continuing with the theme he opened in last Friday’s meditation. (May 27, 2022) In that meditation from 10:1-5, Paul took four parts of the Israelites exodus experience and connected them to life in the church in Corinth. In that passage, Paul alluded to many of the Jews dying in the wilderness because of their unfaithfulness, and in today’s passage he provides the details of the sins that caused them to fall away. In both passages, Paul connects Christ to the wilderness exodus.

In the closing verse in today’s reading, quoted above, Paul offers encouragement and hope for the followers of Christ. Yes, there will be temptations to surrender the ways of God and partake in the ways of the secular culture. But God will show you a way to resist these temptations. Recall Philippians 2:13,

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Emphasis mine)

Of course, the key here is to remember that first, last, and always, we are led by the Lord! And, secondly, we must recognize the temptation of sin. Karl Menninger (1893-1990) was an American psychiatrist and founder of the Menninger Clinic in Topeka, Kansas. In 1973, the famed psychiatrist wrote, "Whatever Became of Sin?" In the book, Menninger, a medical professional and not a theologian, warned that should the concept of sin become eliminated from open cultural discourse, any hope of a moral society would indeed vanish, and chaos would ensue.

My Takeaway: In the increasingly pagan culture of our society, will we avail ourselves of the help provided by God?

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Seventh Sunday of Easter

May 29, 2022

Seventh Sunday of Easter

I am writing this on the morning after the horrific shooting at the elementary school in Texas. First, please read this prayer of Jesus:

John 17:20-26

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

Two weeks ago, I was serving as a spiritual director on a Walk to Emmaus retreat. On Sunday morning, I shared with the group assembled for morning chapel my personal experience with the beauty of the Body of Christ during the weekend. The sponsoring team for the retreat had been covering me in prayer for some health issues I’ve been dealing with this year, and I had one particularly profound experience with a member of the support team who shared a very applicable scripture passage with me. What I was experiencing was the Body of Christ, the church, that Jesus was praying for in the above passage from John 17. And what I was experiencing two weeks ago was the life Jesus envisioned for his followers to experience throughout their lives.

I believe I am safe in assuming that the young man who murdered twenty-one people on May 24, 2022, did not experience life in the Body of Christ. One of the commentators on TV, speaking on the night of the shooting, referred to the moral rot of our society. I agree with that description. But God, within the moral rot, the sin that encompasses so much of our culture, has created the islands of righteousness that are the Body of Christ.

The politicians will be putting forth all manner of solutions to violence in our society. From my perspective, all I can do is continue in my work as a co-laborer with Christ to extend the Kingdom of God. It is through our life in Christ that the world will believe God sent Jesus as the savior of the world. I pray all my followers who are seeking the Life in Christ as their way of life will reaffirm their commitment to building for the Kingdom of God.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, May 27, 2022

Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 27, 2022

Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry

Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

1 Corinthians 10:5

Read: 1 Corinthians 10:1-5

In just five verses, Paul lays a solid foundation for his teaching in the rest of this chapter. In referring to “our ancestors” in verse one, Paul makes clear that Christianoi, the people of Christ, have been grafted into God’s story. Accordingly, Moses and Abraham and the rest of the Old Testament people of God are our ancestors.

Paul takes four parts of the exodus from Egypt and incorporates them into the life of the Christian. The cloud and the sea Paul saw as the Holy Spirt and water baptism for the Christian. The spiritual food and spiritual water in the wilderness corresponded to the bread and wine of the Eucharist, or Holy Communion. Together these four marked the people of God in the exodus from Egypt, and the people of God, who through faith in Jesus, are making the exodus from sin and death to eternal life.

My Takeaway: Paul uses these four points of connection to draw a profound conclusion. Not all the people of Moses remained faithful and completed the journey to the promised land. This is a warning to the Christians in Corinth to not presume on the kindness of God. God has expectations his people will resist sin and strive for moral perfection throughout their life.

Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches.

Rev. 3:22

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, May 26, 2022

So Run To Win!

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 26, 2022

So Run To Win!

I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:27

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

I recently read a news article concerning an international conference of denominations that are affiliated with the Anglican Church. The Bishop of the Anglican Church in North America sent a response declining his invitation to participate in this conference. In his response he stated that if the conference was inviting those who are living in immorality, the ACNA will not participate in the Conference. “We have not agreed to ‘walk together.’ There are some things that we simply cannot agree to disagree on, and the biblical truth about human sexuality is one of those things.”

I believe Paul would say yes and amen to that statement. Paul’s closing words, “Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified” are haunting. If Paul, was concerned that he could possibly be disqualified from being with Jesus when he comes again in final victory, then I too should have such awareness. Let me be clear. I believe Jesus has a firm grip on me, and he will do all in his power to assure I am with him in his Kingdom. But I must do my part and clinging to God’s Word is essential to me doing my part.

My Takeaway: Paul’s analogous statements about running a race and training as an athlete, remind me of his statement to Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” (2 Timothy 4:7) I pray that I shall be so determined to finish the assignment the Lord has given to me. Will you join me in this prayer?

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Bring Them To Christ

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 25, 2022

Bring Them To Christ

I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:23

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

In this passage, Paul is not saying when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Far from it! His thoughts here are very similar to what he said about Jesus in Philippians 2:7,

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

Even though Paul was set free from the Jewish Mosaic law by his faith in Christ, when he was with observant Jews, he too observed the Jewish laws. When he was with Gentiles, he enjoyed with them their freedom from the Jewish law. But always, Paul has but one ambition, “doing everything I can to save some.” (v.22) Paul was entirely focused on spreading the Good News of Christ Jesus and sharing with others the blessings of living as the beloved children of God.

My Takeaway: Everything in the culture of the USA trains us to become narcissistic, self-centered, and striving to get our felt needs met. The Word of God is calling us to be Christ-focused and strive to share the salvation of God in Christ with others.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Added Value

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 24, 2022

Added Value

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News!

I Corinthians 9:16

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:12b-18

When I read verse 16, quoted above, I immediately thought of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah. His autobiographical statement in Jeremiah 20:9 has been the compelling scripture for me throughout my ministry.

But if I say I’ll never mention the Lord

or speak in his name,

his word burns in my heart like a fire.

It’s like a fire in my bones!

I am worn out trying to hold it in!

I can’t do it!

My good friend Dan Beeman was a management expert. He taught at seminars for our church district gatherings on how to conduct effective meetings. Once, he was doing a three-day workshop for a large organization on working as teams, and he made arrangements for me to attend, even though I was not part of the organization. For the second half of my pastoral ministry, I implemented the skills I learned from Dan on almost a daily basis. One of his favorite phrases was ‘Value-Added.’

For Dan, valued-added referred to what value will you be adding to someone’s life for the time they invest in attending your meeting or event. Paul would have embraced this phrase because whenever he spoke, or wrote, he always communicated the Gospel, and thus, there was always the potential for those receiving his words to receive Jesus. In today’s passage, Paul alludes both to the added value he is offering people, and to his right as an apostle to expect the people to add value to his life in the form of compensation. Paul’s response to this right was to affirm he was fulfilling God’s call on his life, and thus the only compensation he needed was the opportunity to speak (or write).

My Takeaway: We live in a valued-added society. People want to know what they are going to get out the time, attention, or money they give to something. Even in our churches, people will assert they are not being fed and move to another church. Paul’s word to us today is to first ask, “What has the Lord called me to do or say in this setting?” Maybe the Lord isn’t finished with you in your present setting. Or, maybe He is, and it is time to move on. But first, last, and always, we are led by the Lord!

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Monday, May 23, 2022

But We Have Never Used This Right

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 23, 2022

But We Have Never Used This Right

Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle.

1 Corinthians 9:1-2

Read: 1 Corinthians 9:1-12a

In your first reading, today’s passage may seem a bit over the top, as Paul goes to great length to justify his calling as an apostle, and the rights and benefits that are included with such a calling.

First, this passage is understood in the light of that portion of verse 12 quoted above as the title of today’s meditation. Remember in my May 20, 2022, meditation I quoted Philippians 2:3-4, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (NRSV) Paul is modeling this behavior for the church in Corinth.

Secondly, the context of Paul’s defense of his apostleship is about what we read in Chapter 8: food sacrificed to idols. Paul taught his congregations “you live under the freedom of God’s grace.” (Romans 6:14) Some in Corinth understood this freedom to give them liberty to eat meat sacrificed to idols. Paul said true, but not everything that is permissible is beneficial. Paul is using his own life as an example of how to live self-sacrificially to draw others to Christ. This is a difficult lesson for us to grasp, but the good news is we will spend four days this week on chapter nine and Paul’s important teaching.

My Takeaway: What is there in the Gospel that can motivate us to listen carefully to Paul, and to take seriously his teachings? For me it is John 14:6, “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”” Because I believe this statement of Jesus to be true, I am compelled to live a life that draws people to Jesus.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Friday, May 20, 2022

Not Looking to Your Own Interests

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 20, 2022

Not Looking to Your Own Interests

But you must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.

1 Corinthians 8:9

Read: 1 Corinthians 8: 7-13

Paul goes into detail to show how his response to the issue of eating meat dedicated to idols was far from simplistic. To fully appreciate Paul’s answer, I find it helpful to remember what he wrote to the church in Philippi:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:3-4 NRSV)

As you read today’s passage, especially verses 9-13, look for examples of how Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to not look to their own interest, but to the interests of others. This is the fulfillment of Godly love we will see in 1 Corinthians 13. This lifestyle Paul is pointing to is best modeled by the Samaritan in the parable Jesus told in Luke 10: 30-37. Take a minute, and reread this story that Jesus told.

My Takeaway: Yet again, another point for meditation. Is there evidence in my life that I put the interests of others ahead of my own interests?

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Thursday, May 19, 2022

We Live For Him

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 19, 2022

Meditations in First Corinthians

May 11, 2022

You Were Bought with a High Price

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

In his commentary, William Barclay, writes that the city of Corinth had a reputation for commercial prosperity, but it was also a byword for evil living. To say a person lived like a Corinthian meant they lived with drunken and immoral debauchery. Above the city towered the hill of the Acropolis, and on it stood the great temple of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. To that temple, there were attached one thousand priestesses who were sacred prostitutes. In the evenings, they came down from the Acropolis and plied their trade on the streets of Corinth. Remember the background of Corinth, remember its name, synonymous for wealth and luxury, for drunkenness and immorality and vice, and then read again chapter 6.

Paul began chapter 6 of his letter to the Romans with this statement: “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not!” He seems to have taken a similar tack in today’s passage as he is dealing with the notion that God’s grace liberates the believer to do whatever they want.

In contrast to this, Paul believed the Kingdom is about the individual followers of Jesus living by God’s power to change their lives. Paul is affirming that the followers of Christ in the Corinthian Church had experienced God’s power to change their lives. Paul insists that a Christian should never lose sight of living by God’s power to change lives. Why? “You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price” (6:19b-20a).

My Takeaway: Paul’s closing words, quoted above, remind me of that line in my favorite prayer:

I am not my own, I am Thine. By creation and redemption I am Thine.

Sē’lah

<>< <>< <>< <><

(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Paul’s Higher Standard

Monday, May 30, 2022

The Temptations in Your Life

Sunday, May 29, 2022

Seventh Sunday of Easter

Friday, May 27, 2022

Lessons from Israel’s Idolatry

Thursday, May 26, 2022

So Run To Win!

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Bring Them To Christ

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Added Value

Monday, May 23, 2022

But We Have Never Used This Right

Friday, May 20, 2022

Not Looking to Your Own Interests

Thursday, May 19, 2022

We Live For Him

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

Free in Christ

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

The Main Thing

Monday, May 16, 2022

You Are One in Christ

Friday, May 13, 2022

Higher Calling

Thursday, May 12, 2022

The Word of The Lord Remains Forever

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

You Were Bought with a High Price

Seeking the Life in Christ

About Me

Blog Archive

Followers

First Think - Then Pray

Books I Am Reading

Recent Books I Have Enjoyed