1 CORINTHIANS 1-2: DAY 57 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
February 26, 2023
1 CORINTHIANS 1-2
DAY 57 JOURNEY THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
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Focus Verse for Today: 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
Today we begin our journey through the book of 1st Corinthians. First Corinthians is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church of Corinth. Paul is writing to the church at Corinth because of the power struggle within the church. Paul has learned that church leaders were creating sects within the faith. It is the only letter in the New Testament that rebukes a congregation for being worldly instead of spiritual.
Take a moment to pray, asking God for His understanding of our journey through 1 Corinthians 1-2. Do you have anything else on your mind? Talk with God about it. He’s listening to you. Now read 1 Corinthians 1-2. Ready, let’s take our journey through 1 Corinthians 1-2.
1 Corinthians 1-2: Paul begins his letter with, what you will come to see, is a rather traditional greeting of his to the people to whom he is writing; in this case the people of Corinth. Paul quickly jumps into the heart of his letter: church leaders creating sects within the faith. Some were following the teaching of Apollos, some followed Paul, while some followed Christ. Paul wrote to them telling them that there is only one true message: Christ Crucified! Paul explains that only true wisdom of God and His ways can be provided through the Spirit of God. Paul’s message to Corinth is simple: know Jesus Christ and Him crucified! True wisdom requires true submission to God. The more you sincerely seek answers to questions of life’s transition from carnal man to spiritual man of God, the more God reveals of Himself to you, through the Spirit. (1 Corinthians 1:1-2:16)
Our focus verse for today:
18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
(1 Corinthians 1:18-19, NIV)
Take a moment and put yourself in the position of a Jew of that time. You have been taught by the priests, the wise men of that time, that the Messiah would be a political leader. The ruler of Israel, who would come to defeat Israel’s enemies, and restore Jerusalem. Now you find yourself mixed up in the tumult over this fellow, Jesus Christ. The one who taught to turn the other cheek – not exactly what you had in mind for the Romans. Jesus, instead of defeating the Romans, was crucified by them. As a Jew, you may find yourself asking, “How can a dead leader – lead me?” As a person, the most important decision you will ever make is the answer to this, not so simple, question. “How can a dead leader – lead me?” The answer reveals your principle understanding of Jesus, the Christ, the Crucified One. Seek God to understand Him. Do not measure God’s reply by the understanding of this world. Consider, do you follow a dead leader? Your answer to this question reveals how you view the cross. It is the most important question you will ever resolve in your life. Are you seeking a relationship with God? A true relationship with God? A relationship where His Spirit is communicating with you?
Godspeace!
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