Through the Bible - Psalm 119:49-104, 1 Corinthians 5
Good morning,
Throughout the Bible were are often reminded that the Christian life the Christian walk is not about how much we know, head knowledge. It's about knowledge that transforms us by the renewing of our minds (go back to Romans 12:1-2).
It is living according to, being in accordance, one mind, with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us. Today's verse from 1 Corinthians 4 reminds us of this, our faith is not just talk.
1 Cor 4: 20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit? NLT
This is one of those instances where the divisions of chapters may not be helpful to us. These verses should be kept in mind when we read chapter 5 and see what was going on in the church in Corinth. They were boasting of their tolerance of sin giving evidence that they were not "living by God's power" but their own.
Spiritual power is not measured by impressive words, or our own authority, but in the power of the life lived in submission to Christ. Submission, another word that is not very popular in today's society.
I read the following prayer by Henry Law this morning. I thought that it applied.
Holy Father, Almighty God,
We desire to give our hearts unto You, without one shadow of reserve. We beseech You to take full possession of them.
Expel mightily every opposing foe.
Crush every rebel lust.
Mortify each traitorous passion.
Annihilate each earth-born desire.
Our hearts are Yours--for You have created them.
They are Yours--for You have redeemed them by the most precious blood of Your only begotten Son.
They are Yours--because in free love You have renewed them by Your Holy Spirit.
They are Yours--because You have conquered them by Your grace.
They are Yours--because we willingly surrender them to You.
Occupy them wholly by Your presence.
Exclude every intruding rival.
Reign supreme within them.
We desire to give our hearts unto You, without one shadow of reserve. We beseech You to take full possession of them.
Expel mightily every opposing foe.
Crush every rebel lust.
Mortify each traitorous passion.
Annihilate each earth-born desire.
Our hearts are Yours--for You have created them.
They are Yours--for You have redeemed them by the most precious blood of Your only begotten Son.
They are Yours--because in free love You have renewed them by Your Holy Spirit.
They are Yours--because You have conquered them by Your grace.
They are Yours--because we willingly surrender them to You.
Occupy them wholly by Your presence.
Exclude every intruding rival.
Reign supreme within them.
Think of some of the words used in that prayer regarding sin. Expel, crush, mortify, and annihilate. Can you think of others, how about eradicate, wipe them out. Think of the words to some of the praise songs that we sing "Our God Reigns" or "Reign In Me". Me He reign that we might live in His power.
In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net
More tools available at: http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
1 Cor 4:20-6:1
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
20 For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God's power. 21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?
Paul Condemns Spiritual Pride
5 I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don't do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. 2 You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship.
3 Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus. You must call a meeting of the church. I will be present with you in spirit, and so will the power of our Lord Jesus. 5 Then you must throw this man out and hand him over to Satan so that his sinful nature will be destroyed and he himself will be saved on the day the Lord returns.
6 Your boasting about this is terrible. Don't you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough? 7 Get rid of the old "yeast" by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. 8 So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth.
9 When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn't talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don't even eat with such people.
12 It isn't my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13 God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, "You must remove the evil person from among you." NLT
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