Nathan Neighbors
Follower of Christ, Husband, Father, & Youth Pastor
As we begin our third week reading through Paul’s letters, we find ourselves in chapters 4 & 5 of Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. It was a church that was in the middle of a very pagan society. Paul and Timothy spent time discipling this church to live different from the world around it. Often you hear Paul speak of not associating with the sexually immoral and other sinners, but I love how he teaches in verses 9-13 that this kind of judgement isn’t meant for people outside of the church.
“I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside…” – 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 NIV
He specifically says here that we can’t hold the lost to the same standard as the church. We don’t judge non-believers for what they don’t know is wrong. Leave that to God. This is a great reminder. Our call is to live as believers under grace and by the standard Jesus set. We must approach the lost with love. In these chapters Paul challenges the church to live like Christ – not as the world. On this Father’s Day, may our lives be a reflection of Christ – not this world. Help us Lord to lead our families well. To lead them toward you and not the world.
As I write this entry, I’m in the mountains at Camp McCall in Upstate SC. It’s one of the most beautiful places in our great State! One of the best parts…no cell service. It gives me and the other dads here the opportunity to focus our attention on loving and leading our sons. What better way to spend Father’s Day weekend. I’ve been to McCall many times before, but this is the first time with Luke.
As I read 1 Corinthians 2 & 3, I notice that Paul continues in what he was writing in chapter 1. He goes on to talk more about how we need not get caught up in who is the better preacher/leader. We don’t need to take claim of who is leading more to Christ…but the point is that we be faithful in sowing and watering the seeds. The Holy Spirit is responsible for bringing about change in a person’s life. That’s refreshing news. Help me Lord to faithfully pour into Luke and I’ll trust and pray that one day you will bring about the salvation of my youngest son.
Today we begin our next letter from Paul. Below you’ll find The Bible Project’s video overview of the letter. Check it out – it’s super helpful to understand the background of the letter.
There are two passages in Chapter 1 that really stand out to me today.
First, I am always encouraged by Paul’s boldness to tell it like it is. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-15, Paul confronts those who were quarreling about who they were following and who baptized them. Paul say in verse 13, “…was Paul crucified for you?” Boom! He puts it all back into perspective. Honestly, I don’t think things have changed much in the last 2000 years. We church people still fall into the trap of putting our leaders on pedestals. Paul reminds us – it’s Jesus who deserves our praise.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-15 NIV
The other passage that I love from 1 Corinthians 1 is verses 26-31. I love the way the Lord works. He takes our weakness and frailty and chooses to use them for His glory. For that I’m very grateful.
“Brothers and sisters, 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. 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. 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. 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. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 NIV
Nathan Neighbors 