The Wisdom of God

Meditations in First Corinthians

April 20, 2022

The Wisdom of God

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

1 Corinthians 1:18,25

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

The Greeks loved to debate. They fancied themselves as seekers of the truth, yet it was skill in debating that won, not truth. The Jews wanted signs and wonders. You may recall that the Gospel of John is written around seven signs that Jesus was the Messiah. However, with signs and wonders, there is always the need for another, then another. Looking ahead, in 1 Corinthians 2:2, Paul writes that when he came to Corinth, he made up his mind not to engage in a debating competition. Although the Holy Spirit worked miracles through Paul’s ministry, he determined that his ministry in Corinth would not rest there. Instead, Paul “decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

Is that enough today? Jesus, the crucified and resurrected Lord, and Savior, is that enough today? All the church growth gurus say if we want to reach today’s generation, we need singers and musicians and lights and coffee bars and rock walls and all sorts of bells and whistles.

My Takeaway: I believe Jesus Christ, and him crucified, is all we need today because I know I am being saved by the very power 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.)

 

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.

Divisions in the Church

Meditations in First Corinthians 

April 19, 2022

Divisions in the Church

Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.

1 Corinthians 1:10b

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

It was commonplace in the time when Paul was writing this letter, for traveling philosophers to visit the cities. The most well-known, and highly regarded of these speakers would draw huge crowds who gathered to hear the imparted wisdom from the speakers, and thus they were known as sophists. Sophia in Greek means wisdom. This cultural phenomenon was influencing some of the local churches. The personality and style of the preacher became a drawing card for the congregation and often the Christians would be identified by which preacher they were following.

Fast forward two thousand years, and in the US, we have preachers such as:  Franklin Graham, Steven Furtick, Joel Osteen, Andy Stanley, John F. MacArthur, and many, many more. In Paul’s time, he was concerned about competition and division among the churches, and his concern is still relevant today.

Paul’s answer to his concern, “be of one mind, united in thought and purpose” is also the answer today. I am not so naive as to think all the many denominations, and non-denominational churches can all gather together and play nice. I do believe each and every Christian can take ownership of their faith and strive to ensure their core Christian values align with the historic creeds of the Christian faith.

My Takeaway: In just over twenty years, the world has been revolutionized by the digital age bringing personal computers, smart phones and TV’s. The world’s culture has also been revolutionized in this time frame; there have been more changes in mores and cultural values in the last twenty years, than the rest of my seventy-five years combined. As for me, I find my affirmation of the historic and traditional doctrines of the church comforting to my soul in these turbulent times.

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.

To You Who Have Been Called By God

Meditations in First Corinthians 

April 18, 2022

To You Who Have Been Called By God

He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

1 Corinthians 1:8

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:1-9

The passion of the Apostle Paul’s life was Jesus. In this opening passage, Paul mentions Jesus eight times in nine verses. However, there is more going on than just Paul talking about the love of his life. At the time of this letter, being called a Corinthian was an insult to decent people. Corinth was the center of travel and sea trade. It was multicultural, and every sin imaginable was prevalent, especially sexual sins, as the god of the Corinthians was the love goddess Aphrodite. There was a great temptation in the Christian church to lower their moral standards to those of the community around them. In addition to the moral challenges, divisions were tearing at the fabric of the church, as their teachers were adopting the ways of the world and measuring their success by the size of their following.

Paul has many, many issues to deal with in his letters to the church in Corinth. He begins by building his foundation on Jesus Christ, and Jesus Christ alone. He then affirms for the Corinthian church (and us) that God has given them “every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (v. 7) With our foundation in Christ and God’s spiritual gifts, we have all we need to be faithful.

My Takeaway: Robin Mark, the Christian singer from Belfast, Northern Ireland, captures Paul’s passion for Jesus in his praise song, Jesus, All for Jesus. I keep these words close by and often incorporate them into my daily prayers.

Jesus, all for Jesus

All I am and have

And ever hope to be

All of my ambitions, hopes, and plans

I surrender these into your hands

For it’s only in Your will that I am free 

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.

Sinful Man Was Arresting God

Holy Week 2022 

April 15, 2022

Good Friday

Sinful Man Was Arresting God

“Who are you looking for?” (Jesus) asked. 

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied.

“I AM he,” Jesus said”

John 18:4-5

Read: John 18:1-10

There is a beautiful symmetry in the way the Biblical writers tell the story of God. There was the first exodus of God’s people, from slavery in Egypt, led by Moses. The Gospels tell of Jesus, God’s Messiah leading the second exodus, from slavery to sin and death. In the book of Genesis, we read of the Garden of Eden inhabited by Adam. In John 18, the setting is another garden, the Garden of Gethsemane. In the first Garden, God, in the cool of the evening, came looking for Adam. In the second Garden, in the cool of the evening, sinful man comes looking for Jesus, God’s second Adam. (The Apostle Paul writes much about the ‘first’ and ‘last’ Adam in Romans 5 and 1 Corinthians 15) Yet a third Garden will be the setting for Jesus’ resurrection.

“Who are you looking for?” (Jesus) asked.  “Jesus the Nazarene,” they replied. “I AM he,” Jesus said” (John 18:4-5). The disciples, and perhaps even Judas who was with the soldiers, in the Garden that evening heard much more than a simple reply, “I am he.” They hear; “I AM.”

“I AM The Bread of Life.”

“I AM The Light 0f The World.”

“I AM The Gate.”

“I AM The Good Shepherd.”

“I AM The Resurrection and The Life.”

“I AM The Way, The Truth and The Life.”

‘I AM The Vine.”

With the memory of these seven ‘I AM” statements echoing through the Garden, the absurdness of the moment was overwhelming: sinful man was arresting God. The arresting force drew back and fell. Did they understand the absurdity of the moment? Perhaps it was the humility of Jesus and his lack of resistance that shocked them. I don’t know for sure why the arresting force drew back and fell to the ground, but as I meditate on that scene, falling on my knees seems an appropriate response for me.

I pray you will worship our Risen Savior on Easter Sunday with reverence and awe.

(On Monday, April 18, 2022, I will begin a series of meditations on the Apostle Paul’s Letter, First Corinthians.)

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.

One Of You Will Betray Me!

Holy Week 2022 

April 14, 2022

Thursday of Holy Week

One Of You Will Betray Me!

Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

John 13: 21

Read: John 13:18-30

Jesus had washed the feet of all twelve disciples. Now they were reclining at the dinner table partaking of their Passover meal. That they were reclining is a very important detail. The customs in Israel at that time provided that only those who were free reclined while eating; slaves and servants ate either standing or seated. Although the Israelites were living under Roman occupation and oppression, Passover celebrated God setting them free from slavery in Egypt, and every Jew would partake of the Passover meal while reclining at their table. Reclining people gathering around the table are actually touching one another; the Passover was a very intimate meal for Jesus and his disciples. The text includes the detail, “Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl” (John 12:26a). In first-century Israel, sharing a meal together was yet another indication of intimacy and right-standing relationships.

As Jesus looks around the table at his disciples, his friends, he knows one will betray him to the religious authorities, one will publicly deny even knowing him, and all but one of the remaining men will scatter into hiding after he is arrested. Even so, Jesus reclined at the Passover table with his disciples; even so, Jesus washed the feet of all twelve.

I noted in the previous passage that Jesus had laid down a pattern for his disciples to follow. As you ponder Jesus’ interaction with his disciples, what do you hear God saying to you? Do you have an attitude toward someone that God wants you to adjust?

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.

A Daunting Challenge

Holy Week 2022

April 13, 2022

Wednesday of Holy Week

A Daunting Challenge

And when (the Advocate) comes, he will convict the world of its sin,

and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

John  16:8

Read: John 16:1-15

God’s people have always longed for the day when God’s justice will prevail throughout the world. Jesus promised that with the coming of the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, God is working to answer the longing of our heart.

Jesus has promised that our Advocate will guide and empower us. Jesus is not saying that the Holy Spirit will be working independently of us to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment. Jesus is saying that the Holy Spirit, working in and through his followers, will bring justice to the world. When the followers of Jesus lead lives of honesty and integrity, they will stand apart from the ways of the world. Their lifestyle will contrast sharply with the ways of people who follow after the world’s culture. When the followers of Jesus speak out against injustice in the world, their beliefs will contrast sharply with the ways of the world. When the followers of Jesus work diligently in ministries of mercy and justice, their ideals will contrast sharply with the ideals of the world. When the followers of Jesus live with the hope of God’s future in their heart, their sense of inner peace will contrast sharply with people living without hope. It will be through the lives of fully-devoted followers of Jesus that the Holy Spirit “will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment” (John 16:8).

The challenge of Jesus to his followers is to open our hearts and our lives to the Holy Spirit so that Jesus can live his life through us. This challenge is daunting because the persecution that confronted Jesus awaits his followers as well. However, Jesus has promised us that he will always be with us; nothing can separate us from him. We can do everything through Christ, who gives us strength. (Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:39, Philippians 4:13)

The Good News is that Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to us. Are you up to the challenge that comes with receiving the Spirit?

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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. 

Bringing Glory to God

Holy Week 2022 

April 12, 2022

Tuesday of Holy Week

Bringing Glory to God

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples.

This brings great glory to my Father”

John  15:8

Read: John 15:1-16

Imagine there will be a meeting at your church, Sunday afternoon at 3PM. Jesus’ Father, the Gardener, will meet with your congregation to cut off every branch that isn’t producing fruit. He will also prune the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. Ouch! I wonder how many people will show up to meet with the Gardener.

I believe our willingness to sit still for the Gardener is directly proportional to our ownership of Jesus’ expectation that we produce much fruit for him. Note that Jesus twice says that he expects much fruit from his disciples, not just some fruit. (John 15: 5 & 8) Our willingness to sit still for the Gardener is also directly related to our staying close to Jesus: “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me” (John 15:4). Knowing I am in Christ, and he is in me emboldens me to allow the Gardener to cut and prune, even if I do cringe and cry ouch!

Our mission is to make disciples for Jesus for the transformation of the world. The fruit he is expecting us to produce is fruit that helps people know and love him. We are also called to produce much fruit in ministries of peace and justice that transform the world into the Kingdom of God. This passage should give us pause to examine our life for evidence that our focus, our priorities are aimed at producing much fruit for Jesus’ Kingdom. Do you have a personal expectation that you will produce much fruit for Jesus? If so, listen as Jesus says to you,

“When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father” (John 15:8).

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.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

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.