RTW November 19
Note: I said the wrong date… It really is November 19th.
Don’t Be Enslaved
God paid a high price for you, so don’t be enslaved by the world.
1 Corinthians 7:23
My Takeaways
Something Old
Not everything is good for me!
Something New
“Greatness is not found in possession, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.” – William Arthur Ward (scholar, author, editor, pastor, and teacher)
We often become enslaved by:
- Power – possess or exercise authority or influence.
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (ESV) Isaiah 40:29
And you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes… Acts 1:8a - Position – high standing, as in society; important status
For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest. (NIV) Luke 9:48b - Possessions – property or wealth
What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? 1 Corinthians 4:7b - Prestige -reputation or influence arising from success, achievement, rank, or other favorable attributes.
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (ESV) James 4:10
Something to Do
Power, position, possessions, and prestige are His not mine. Don’t forgot this! It is about His fame and His name.
1 Cor 4:20 stood out today. God’s kingdom is not about just a lot of talk but about living by God’s power. The immeasurably more life that is to be mine in Christ is not going to be found by just talking about it or trying in my own strength to obey and follow Him. I must be living by God’s power. In everything I do and in how I serve I must do it in God’s power and give him the glory. That is the Kungdom of God.
My Takeaways: Honor God
Something Old: Lots of important issues in the lives of believers in the church of Corinth were addressed in today’s reading. Sounds like our world today. Believers are good at saying all the right things, but our life doesn’t always measure up to God’s power. “The Kingdom of God is not just fancy talk; it is living by God’s power” (4:20). As a believer I must realize while knowing all the right answers might look good, living out the truth is what really matters. God’s power in me should always be evident to others by the life I chose to live.
Something New: Paul speaks a lot about the importance of purity .God expects His people and His church to be pure by the way they live and how they view and treat the church.This letter includes Paul’s most pointed words regarding church discipline (5:6-12). Church discipline does not need to be done out of revenge, but out of love. It is a necessity for the spiritual health of the church. Not to judge, but to prevent the spreading of ill effects that might come about to other believers. I can’t be afraid to approach the deliberate sins of believers. Because by doing so I might just be the one to motivate them to repentance. This world is not eternal. I need to set my thoughts and actions on what is. Using my time and energies serving and honoring the Lord.
Something To Do: Take time to evaluate my life in the area of purity and freedom from worldly sins. Take steps to correct any struggles I may be facing that doesn’t honor God.