SWHW Two Year Bible Reading Plan: March, Year 2Sample

Top Takeaway from Sarah Martin:

I have to be so straight up with you. This book of the Bible has been a challenge for me. Paul’s writing is so rich and covered in local context and local history of the Corinthian church. As with any book of the Bible, and especially with Paul’s letters to the local churches, we as modern Christian Bible readers, must be aware of context and back story. And that takes so much work, right? Yes, it does. 

But, I believe that extra time of studying, cross-referencing, and comprehending context adds to our own understanding to enrich our view of the Gospel…and it is so very worth the time and effort.

Where we find ourselves in 1 Corinthians 10 is a long exhortation over the span of a couple of chapters where Paul is calling the Corinthian Christians higher. They were the minority. They did not live in a time where Scripture was plastered on t-shirts or a time where Bibles were found at even the airport. 

Evangelism was the name of the game…the bigger Kingdom goal when the church was so young and growing. (As it should be in any century you live in, of course!)

The bigger picture: be aware of your lifestyle and how it reflects and impacts your faith walk. And, be aware of how your lifestyle steers people toward or away from Jesus.

We find Paul admonishing the Christian Corinthians not to partake in activities that included eating at what would be considered a pagan temple restaurant. Why? You are partnering with the work of the demons. Remember the Scripture that says, “You shall not bow down to any other gods”? (Deuteronomy 5:7)

And in the same turn, Paul says it’s okay to eat food that is also sacrificed at the temple. This is especially acceptable when eating with those not yet surrendered to Christ. Didn’t Jesus eat at the table of sinners and outcasts? Yes, yes He did!

Wait what? It seems Paul is contradicting himself. 

Bottom line: We must guard our heart, soul, and mind from activities that aren’t godly. AND, at the same time, we must “do life” with not-yet believers of Christ. It’s a both/and directive and a fine line to walk. 

But just how do we walk that line?

• Know the truth of God’s Word, our Bread of life.
• Stay close to the Holy Spirit.
• Constantly confess and repent to turn away from our own temptations and toward God’s best.
• Have a passion for the gospel to reach every corner of our community.

I think this is a worthy pursuit; don’t you? 

Father, help us to live in the world, yet not fold to the fleshly, worldly temptations that are so pervasive around us. Give us a passion to share Your love and truth to those who don’t yet know You. Help us to go beyond our self-focus to go and tell of You, Jesus. Amen.