Overcome Temptation

July 20, 2014 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:1 – 22 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:6 – 22 As children of God, we are joined spiritually to others who have received immersion in the Spirit as we have. It is this joining within and by the Spirit that makes us one body in Christ. Our struggles of the mind and flesh are not removed after we are made alive spiritually. This struggle intensifies within us as a reminder that we belong to God and the world, of which our bodies are a part, is at war against God. We face many temptations on a daily basis. These temptations take place in our minds and in our bodies. The end of these temptations is to bring our minds and bodies into compliance with the world and against the will of God. The temptations come to us in the form of various thoughts and cravings of the mind and the flesh. As Christians, we are more aware of this struggle than ever before. Before we were saved, we obeyed our sinful cravings and thoughts without considering that they were against the will of God. We did what came naturally to us to do. Selfishness did not deter us or make us feel bad because of the corruption that was in us and we were not even aware of its existence. Salvation through Jesus Christ gave us spiritual minds and the struggle began. Through the word of God, we learn that the corruption in us is against God and godliness. When we attempt to overcome these ungodly desires by having a “made up” mind, we discover that we are too weak to consistently withstand them. Even though we are children of God and we have socially joined ourselves with other followers and worshipers of God, we still find that our struggles are personal and not corporate. The Apostle Paul used the early history of Israel after their deliverance from Egypt to teach the Christians at Corinth that their struggles were nothing new. But Paul also used Israel’s history to serve as a warning for the Corinthians to not ignore the struggle and succumb to it. To do so would not be pleasing to God. When individuals within Israel decided to walk in ways that were contrary to the will and purpose of God, God destroyed them in the wilderness rather than bring them into the land of promise. They were all given a spiritual union as followers of Moses. They shared in spiritual food and drink as one congregation. But when individuals in the group failed to yield to God’s way and chose to walk in opposition to it, God destroyed them and made an example out of them. Paul reminded the Corinthians that what Israel struggled with in their past is no different than what professed children of God struggle with on a daily basis throughout the ages. We have struggles that are not impacted or lessened by the passage of time. Our issues are human issues and these are not time-dependent. The good news is that God knows all about these age-old struggles. Further, God does not leave us to struggle hopelessly on our own to our own demise. When struggles come, God provides an escape route for His children to use to keep them from being overcome by the sin that lives in our bodies. The way we overcome temptation is by trusting God, looking for the way of escape He always provides, and then following God’s plan for us. We need help to overcome temptation and God provides the help we need. Robert C. Hudson July 7, 2014

Exercise Freedom with Caution

July 13, 2014 Background Scripture: 1 Corinthians 8, 9 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 8 WARNING: Your Behavior might affect the Spiritual Health of Others (Many sinners continue to suffer as a result of second-hand sin!) Christians are free from the world and the laws of mankind as long as we live as Christians. We are free also from the Law of Moses which condemns to death anyone who attempts to be made right with God (justified) by living according to the letter of its precepts. This condemnation occurs because of sin in our members. Life in Jesus Christ brings this glorious freedom to all who trust in Jesus for salvation. However, the word of God admonishes us to be careful how we live out this liberty because of the damaging effects it can have on others who are spiritually immature in Christ or non-Christians. We must be careful that our freedom doesn’t become a stumbling block for others who are not strong in the faith. Paul gives two examples of this to the church at Corinth. The first example concerns the consumption of food that has been ceremonially offered to idol gods. Mature Christians understand that idols are nothing but the product of man’s imagination and therefore they have no power. Idols are manmade, manipulated by man, and they have no power within them even to exist. Food that is supposedly offered as a sacrifice to idols is not transformed into anything. It is still food that is good for consumption. However, for those who are weak in the faith, eating this food joins them ceremonially with the idol god and their minds are corrupted as a result of it. They are not free to worship God because they believe that they are in fellowship with some idol. Because of their spiritual immaturity, they are religiously confused because they believe that the religion of the idol is something valid. If they act against what they believe, it will become sin to them. Paul’s other example concerns the right of spiritual leaders to be compensated for their work. Paul uses examples of military personnel, farmers and shepherds to defend his argument. All of these laborers avail themselves of the fruit and benefits of their labor. Paul argues that religious leaders have a right to partake of the fruit of their labor that is bestowed on others for the sake of Christ. Then Paul takes a different course altogether. Paul acknowledged that he willingly gave up his rights or freedom for the sake of others. Since others who were weak could be mentally damaged by consuming the food, Paul gave up the privilege of eating it so that others would not be led astray by his actions. Likewise, he refused the material support of the churches in his circuit so that no one could hold him accountable or indebted to them other than as a minister sent to them by Jesus Christ. Paul summarized his decision by stating that he kept himself available to gain more of them for Christ. He did not overstate the Law for Gentiles who did not embrace the Law and yet he did not deny or disrespect the Law in the presence of Jews who were strict adherents of it. Paul thoroughly recognized the great freedom he had in Christ yet he restrained himself for the sake of furthering the gospel’s impact in the world. Yes, Christians have liberty but let us not use our freedom in Christ in a way that can hurt others. Robert C. Hudson July 5, 2014