Your Labor Is Not In Vain

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 29, 2022

Your Labor Is Not In Vain 

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:58

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

Today’s passage, especially the verse quoted above, stands in contrast to the words of Solomon in this passage from Ecclesiastes 1:1-3,

The words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.

Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher,

    vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

 What do people gain from all the toil

    at which they toil under the sun?

Solomon’s words seem so cynical until you read all of Ecclesiastes. When you do, you find Solomon was focused on those who seek to work out the meaning of their life apart from God. Paul reveals to us another way to work out the meaning of our lives in Acts 17:28,

For in him we live and move and exist.

At the beginning of today’s passage, Paul again affirmed the wonderful news that in Christ we are destined to live eternally with God. Paul then punctuates this truth with verse 57, “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Paul believed that knowing our future is secure in Christ should motivate us to become co-laborers with Christ, building for the Kingdom of God.

My Takeaway: God is working all things together for His good in our lives, (Romans 8:28), therefore, nothing is wasted, nothing is in vain.

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.

 

Our Promised Resurrection and Transformation

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 28, 2022

Our Promised Resurrection and Transformation

         Just as we are now like the earthly man, 

we will someday be like the heavenly man.

1 Corinthians 15:49

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:35-49

Many people ask, “What will we be like in the world to come?” Paul tries to answer that question in today’s passage, but I think the best scriptural answer is by the Apostle John:

Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. (1 John 3:2)

In today’s passage, Paul is also contrasting our present circumstance with our life in the world to come. In our present circumstance, God inspires us when we gather in worship on Sunday with a desire to share Jesus. But, we don’t. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. We see the needs in our community, and we hear the call of Jesus to follow him into the world to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and set the captives free. We want to follow, but we don’t go very far. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. We are in a social setting, and someone speaks words of hatred, or bitterness, or racial prejudice. We want to speak for God and against injustice, but we remain silent. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. In our passage today, Paul says there is coming a glorious day when our Lord shall return, and when he returns, our flesh will no longer be weak.

As we learn to trust God, and as we become more willing to surrender our lives to God, the Spirit within us ascends and the flesh or natural life within us descends. Ultimately, when Christ returns, he will complete the transformation within us, and we will become just like him: the spirit indeed is willing and without any weakness.

My Takeaway: God has now given us a present reality and a promise, which together form the foundation for our faith, hope and love: the Resurrection of Jesus and our promised resurrection and transformation.

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.

 

For You Alone, O Lord

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 27, 2022

For You Alone, O Lord 

And why should we ourselves risk our lives hour by hour?

1 Corinthians 15:30

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:29-34

First, verse 29 is confusing. This is the only place in the NT that refers to being baptized for the dead. Biblical scholars are not sure exactly what practice in Corinth Paul was referring to, but they are convinced by mentioning the practice he was not condoning it. Rather, he uses it as fonder for his continuing argument that if Jesus was not in fact raised from the dead, and if there is not a sure hope for the resurrection of the disciples of Jesus, all our churchy activity is in vain. It is useless in terms of providing eternal benefits.

In today’s passage, Paul goes even further with this argument. Not only does the absence of the actual bodily resurrection of Jesus negate any eternal value of church, but it also negates the sustaining power and presence of God in our present circumstances. As I noted on June 23, 2022, all my faith rests in one basket: the resurrection of Jesus.

My Takeaway: Since April, I have been struggling with Atrial Fibrillation. My doctors have prescribed medicines by the hands full, which have side effects, and which for me has included disrupting my normal sleep pattern. Every night as I lie in bed, Cheryl prays Psalm 4:8 over me,

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

    for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

If there is no resurrection, Cheryl is wasting her breath and giving me false hope.

Thanks be to God, she is not!

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.

 

The Resurrection of the Dead

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 24, 2022

The Resurrection of the Dead 

But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

1 Corinthians 15:23

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:20-28

We will stay in chapter 15 until June 29 because it is so important. I mentioned on Monday that recently my church concluded a study of the Nicene Creed with a discussion of our resurrection and life in the World to come. We looked often to chapter 15 to help us grasp the importance of this affirmation that is both the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. A few years ago, I was teaching a Sunday School class on the Apostles’ Creed. When we got to the phrase, “I believe in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting,” I asked the class what they thought this phrase meant. There was a near unanimous response that the phrase was referring to the resurrection of Jesus. Yes, Jesus is resurrected, but this phrase in the creed refers to our resurrection.

While Paul expounds on the coming again of the resurrected Jesus, in Final Victory to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, my focus this morning is on the verse quoted above” “. . . then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.” I encourage you read and mediate on verses 20-23 and receive God’s encouragement for your life today, and your life in the world to come

My Takeaway: As I noted yesterday, my faith rests in one basket: the resurrection of Jesus. Integral to my faith is my belief that I too will be resurrected.

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.

The Resurrection of the Dead

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 23, 2022

The Resurrection of the Dead

And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world.

1 Corinthians 15:19

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19

Our passage today affirms how important it is to keep focused on the foundation of our faith. Our culture tempts us to believe that if we do the right things in the right way, we will be successful. With that thinking, when we are not as successful as we had hoped, it can be quite depressing. As well it should be, if we are putting our faith in doing the right things the right way. Our passage today reminds us that as a Christian, our faith rests on one fact and one fact alone: the resurrection of Jesus.

If Jesus has not been resurrected, there is no hope for today, much less an eternal future with God the Father. Because Jesus has been resurrected from the dead, it is still very important that we do the right things the right way. However, the purpose of our service changes, from seeking to be successful, to being faithful to God. Our Father has promised us that because Jesus has been raised from the dead, we have a hope for today and for the future. Because Jesus has been resurrected, we can serve God, trusting that He is working all things together to accomplish His will.

For me, it makes all the difference in the world whether I go through life trusting in my ability to be good, or trusting that God my Father, who resurrected Jesus, knows my name, and has saved me from sin and death.

My Takeaway: All my faith rests in one basket: the resurrection of 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.)

 

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.

  

The Resurrection of Christ

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 22, 2022

The Resurrection of Christ 

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain.

1 Corinthians 15:10a (NRSV)

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11

Chapter 15 is one of the most important of all of Paul’s writings. He begins with affirming the resurrection of Jesus, which is the foundation upon which everything in the New Testament church rests. As we continue our journey with Paul, we will see that he believes the world can never be the same again after the resurrection of Jesus. Those who believe in Jesus’ resurrection, and fashion their lives by this truth, will never be the same either.

In verses 3-9, Paul underscores the importance of this foundation: Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day. He was seen by Peter, the Twelve, by more than 500 of his followers, he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Paul also saw him. Paul wanted to be perfectly clear in asserting that Jesus was alive!

My Takeaway: Paul then testified how his belief in the resurrection of Jesus had changed his life: “By the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me has not been in vain” (I Corinthians 15:10a NRSV). I often come home to this verse as my personal testimony.

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.

Let All Things Be Done For Building Up

Meditations in First Corinthians

June 21, 2022

Orderly Worship 

Let All Things Be Done For Building Up

1 Corinthians 14:26b

Read: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40

The role of women in the church is still debated as evidenced by the continuing debates in the Southern Baptist Church, and others. For me, Acts 21:9 is helpful in discerning God’s will in this matter. Luke is describing Paul’s journey to Jerusalem and their stop in Caesarea where they stayed at the home of Philip the Evangelist. Luke notes, “He (Philip) had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” Some people have read verses 34-35 and concluded Paul is commanding that women are forbidden to speak in public worship services. However, to reach that conclusion, you would have to discard chapter 11 (as well as many other places in the Bible) where Paul clearly expects women to provide leadership in worship through praying and preaching. Some scholars suggest that these verses were added as an editorial comment by a scribe copying the manuscripts. Others suggest that Paul wrote these verses, but that he was addressing a peculiar situation in Corinth that concerned an issue other than worship leadership.

In Paul’s description of worship, he introduces the inclusion of an exhorter that is still practiced in some churches. An exhorter was a speaker who followed the preacher, who encouraged the congregation to apply the lessons proclaimed by the preacher to their daily lives. The situation in Corinth involved interaction during the service between the exhorter and the congregation. It is known that while St. Augustine was preaching, he was often interrupted for questions or comments. I had that happen a time or two while I was preaching – for me, another disconcerting moment.

My Takeaway: I have two takeaways today. First, I do not know for sure what Paul had in mind with his discussion of women in worship, other than this surely is not a prohibition on the leadership of women in the church. Secondly, if we practice the lesson from the beginning of chapter 14, we will find our right path:

 Let love be your highest goal!

1 Corinthians 14:1a

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.