Foolish, Weak and Base Things

 1 Corinthians 1-3; Galatians 1-3  

 

Most recently, we read that the churches of Ephesus, Colosse and Thessalonica had received accolades for their "faith in Christ and sincere love for all the saints". Even the church at Philippi Paul commended for their "progress and joy of faith" and "having always obeyed, not as in my (Paul's) presence only, but now much more in my absence".


The churches at Corinth and Galatia do not receive the same congratulations. Without condemning them because of their shortfall, Paul certainly rebukes their quarreling; the divisions amongst them based upon which disciple they are following; envy; their turning away from Him who called them in the grace of Christ to a different gospel, even to the point of "bewitching".


In both accounts, Paul reminds them (and us) that we "preach Christ crucified"; "to know nothing among them except Jesus Christ and Him crucified"; "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me". Our crucifixion in Christ does not happen when we receive His salvation, the opportunity begins there. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we "for His sake are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Romans 8:36,37).


"Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness". To the natural man, our crucifixion in Christ is foolish, weak and base (not high or lofty). Paul knows that we must be crucified in Him so that the churches may continue to be and the natural man may follow.

Faith In Jesus Christ IS Faith In God

Ephesians 1:15,16; Colossians 1:3,4; Mark 11:22,23;

2 Thessalonians 1:3-5

 

"Therefore, I also, after I heard of your FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS and your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers......" (Ephesians 1:15,16)

"We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of your FAITH IN CHRIST JESUS and of your love for all the saints......" (Colossians 1:3,4)

I would like to examine the likelihood that the church in Ephesus, Colosse and Thessalonica had received (accepted as truth and were willing to walk in the light of) an understanding from God which graduated them, so to speak, to a place where God could continue to build. Foundation; initial floor; subsequent levels from there. Paul seemed ecstatic over what he had heard they "had".

"Have FAITH IN GOD (have the faith of God; have the God kind of faith). For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea', and does not doubt in his heart but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says" (Mark 11:22,23). The majority of the chief priests and scribes would not receive Jesus for who He is: the Christ Of God. They were unwilling to humble themselves under God's mighty hand and in His sight. The result was fruitlessness in them and those who listened to them. The mountain between them and God was intact. Could Paul be rejoicing because the churches mentioned had recognized the mountain and were speaking to it? Had he recognized that they were speaking to the mountain and doubting not, able to overcome unwillingness through Him? Did he understand that, if they wouldn't, they couldn't become all that he knew God wanted for them?

"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, SO THAT we ourselves boast of you among all the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgement of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer.......(2 Thessalonians 1:3-5).

Jesus' teachings will endure forever. They are life to those who find them. Have this faith in Him!

Love Rejoices Not In Iniquity

I Corinthians 13:4-8, Luke 14:28-30

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy;  love does not parade itself, is not puffed up (arrogant); does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; DOES NOT REJOICE IN INIQUITY, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."


Webster's Dictionary defines the word rejoice as "taking delight" (one definition of two); iniquity as "a violation of right or duty"(one definition of two). Could we say that the love of God in us takes no delight in the violation of right or duty of your brother(sister) in Christ?

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it - lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, 'THIS MAN BEGAN TO BUILD AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FINISH'."


"And when he (Moses) went out the second day, behold, two Hebrew men were fighting, and he said to the one who did the wrong, 'Why are you striking your companion?' Then he (the fighter) said, 'Who made you a prince and a judge over us? DO YOU INTEND TO KILL ME AS YOU KILLED THE EGYPTIAN?' " Exodus 2:13,14


Do you think that each statement in bold type could have been replaced with words from the Father which promote the works of His truth? This man began to build, and although I see his weakness, I will do what I can through prayer and works of faith to help him finish. Thank you, Moses, for reminding us not to fight.

Taking delight in the truth that comes forth from God's word brings His quickening, by the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ, who did all these things perfectly and completely! If you are willing to ask the Father in His name to show you how to hunger and thirst after righteousness, you shall be filled. There will be less and less room in your heart to rejoice in iniquity!