Forgiveness as a Command

It is difficult to forgive the hurt others have caused us, especially when our brothers and sisters in Christ have caused that hurt. It may be difficult, but God forgiveness is not an option, it is a command. In 2 Corinthians 2:8-9, Paul writes "I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything." Paul encourages us to demonstrate and renew our love our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Even when they have caused an offense, must love and forgive them, not just for their sakes, but out of obedience to the will of God.

Redeemed and Restored

When a fellow brother or sister in Christ has caused an offense in the church, the scandal alone is often sufficient to discipline them. In 2 Corinthians 2:6, Paul writes "The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him." Once the brother or sister has been forgiven and disciplined for their offense, they have been redeemed and must be restored into fellowship.

Bodily Harm

As the body of Christ, just as with the human body, we cannot experience pain in one part of the body without impacting the rest of the body. In 2 Corinthians 2: 5, Paul writes "if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree--in order not to say too much--to all of you."When an entity causes harm to a member or members of the body of Christ, our collective body is impacted and damaged to some degree, as we all make up the body of Christ.

Working while Wounded

The church is often considered a hospital, as so many people within the body are sick and wounded in their bodies, minds, and souls. In 2 Corinthians 2:4, Paul writes "For out of much affliction and anguish of heart, I wrote to you with many tears; not so that you would be made sorrowful, but that you might know the love which I have especially for you." Even though Paul had suffered immense sorrow and injury from within the body of Christ, he continued to be faithful to carry out the purpose that God called him to complete.

Bragging Rights

When someone or a team wins an intense competition, they earn the right to brag about their victory until the next competition. When someone does something great, it's only natural to brag about them to others around you. In 1 Corinthians 1:31, Paul writes "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."God has done remarkable things in the lives of His people, the most amazing is the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ. Instead of bragging on ourselves and the things that we have done, try bragging on how great our God is, and watch God move in your life.

More than wise in Christ

God could have used anyone that He wanted to do the work of the ministry and carry out His word. He had, at His disposal, a host of angels, great rulers, educated priests, and men of great wealth, but He chose those of lower status to deliver the good news of the gospel. In 1 Corinthians 1:30, Paul writes "It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption." We may not be wise according to the standards of the world, but we are able to stand up and be accounted as more than wise; we are righteous, holy, and redeemed through the sacrifice of Christ.

Glory to God

The true testament of a believer does not begin with the story of their overcoming a test; it begins with the solid foundation of the word and faith that they had in Christ before they went through the test. In 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, Paul wrote that God "chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." As we consider our testimonies, consider where God has brought us from and is taking us to, consider that we can do nothing without God, and He alone is worthy of the glory.

Fool for Christ

In most cultures, calling someone a "fool" is hurtful insult, as the word implies that someone is unwise. In 1 Corinthians 1:27, Paul writes "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." Considering that Christ is the King of Kings, it would make sense for Him to arrive in grand style; instead, He was born in a lowly manger, and chose fishermen for His disciples instead of the Bible scholars of His time. Today, God is still choosing things and people that the world calls "foolish," as He sees us as willing vessels as He empowers us to build up the Kingdom of God.

Underdogs

An "underdog" is considered as a team or someone who is not expected to win or succeed. God often calls the underdogs, those of low degree, to do the work of the ministry. In 1 Corinthians 1:26, Paul writes "Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth." Many of those who God is calling to do the work of the ministry may not be the ones who people would choose. Thankfully, God does not call us underdogs; He calls us His masterpiece.

Power of One

As a church community, as well as the larger body of Christ, there is great power when we work together in unity. In 1 Corinthians 1:10, Paul writes "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." When we work together as one, with a common goal of building up the kingdom of God, there is little that we cannot accomplish when we make Christ our focus and work together despite our differences.

Mission-Focused Ministry

Paul is often considered one of the greatest, most prolific authors of the new testament. Rightfully so, since he wrote more than half of the new testament. In 1 Corinthians 1: 17, Paul writes "For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power." In all that Paul accomplished during his ministry, however, he maintained his focus on his God-given mission: to preach the gospel. We all have our own desires and goals that we wish to accomplish, but just as Paul, we must not lose sight of the mission that God has called us to complete.

Back to the Basics

Having disagreements within the church is only natural, as any body of people will not agree on all issues at all times. In 1 Corinthians 1:12-15, Paul writes "One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas"; still another, "I follow Christ." He responds in verse 13-14, "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name." As Paul mentioned, the church at Corinth was sharply divided, even to the point of leadership. As Paul stated, Christ is not divided; regardless of our personal beliefs and disagreements, our central focus must remain on Christ: his virgin birth, sinless life, sacrificial death, and powerful resurrection.

Going Public

In 1 Corinthians 1:11, Paul writes "My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you." Many family members are told to keep private family disagreements as private and are scorned when they share their family affairs with others who are outside of the family. At times, however, the family affairs become too critical to keep quiet, and the private family issues become public, as the quarrel ls in the church at Corinth had become so disruptive that members of the church alerted Paul to intervene. Consider the impact that those private disputes between one another could have on the church, as a body, when our private disputes become public to the world.

Power in Agreement

Imagine what church would be like if the entire church operated in agreement. It's possible, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 1:10, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Paul is not suggesting for the church, with all of its members, agree on everything; he is simply asking for the church to elevate their corporate love for Christ above their individual disagreements.

A Right to Praise

In 1 Corinthians 1:7-9 Paul declares to the church at Corinth that "therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." God has given us a right and a reason to praise Him, as He has given us much more than the gifts that He has graciously given us. God has also given us a right to praise Him, as He continues to strengthen us and washes the blame of our sin with the blood of Christ.

Gift of Grace in Christ

Some people believe that they can please God by living a good life. They try to do as much good as they are able to, and stay away from what they consider to be evil. In 1 Corinthians 1:4, Paul declares "I always thank God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus." The church at Corinth was in a corrupt area, and many of the members were still struggling between their old nature and new life in Christ. Paul encourages them, just as he encourages us today, that regardless of how good we try to be, we all have the gift of grace through the blood of Christ that washes us of our sin and restores our right-standing with God.

All in the Family

In 1 Corinthians 1:2-3, Paul writes "to the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours, grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul establishes his fellowship with the church; although the church at Corinth were fairly new Christians, they were still members of the family of faith. Regardless of how long Christians have been in the family of faith, whether new members of the family received Christ 30 years ago or 30 minutes ago, we are all equal members of the household of faith.

I am who God says I am

In 1 Corinthians 1:1, Paul declares that he is "an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes." The 11 remaining apostles disputed Paul's apostleship as he had not walked with Christ in the flesh, but Paul did not waver from his calling or his position. He begins his letter by identifying himself as "an apostle of Jesus Christ" as that was who God called him to be. He refused to let the apostles, congregation at the church of Corinth, or anyone minimize his Christ. Regardless of what others may say, hold fast to the calling and the Word that God has already prophesied over your life.

Rejoice in Reconconcilliation

The dictionary defines reconciliation as "making oneself or another no longer opposed, or to re-establish friendly relations with another." In Romans 5:11, Paul declares that "we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation." The sin of the world separated us from God, but Christ re-established our friendship with God so that we have reunited with the Father. That reconciliation is the hope of our salvation; that alone is a great reason to rejoice.

Justified, Reconciled, and Saved

In Romans 5:9-10, Paul declares "since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!" The sin of the world made us all enemies of God; Christ, in His mercy and compassion, gave His life to bridge the gap between God and man. To access and communicate with God, we only need to accept Christ as our Savior.

Love is an Action Word

People often say the love us, sometimes out of habit or obligation as you declare your love for another. In Romans 5:8, Paul declares But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." We were the enemies of God as sinners, without hope of redemption. Christ did more than simply say that He loves us; He demonstrated His love for us by exchanging our sin for His life.