Make Sense to You?

“Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor [the] covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10, NASB)

Here is one of the verses many people in today’s politically correct America choose to forget. It is also one that mainline churches ignore in order to be “welcoming to all” and attack more people as though the goal is to get them in the church – the goal should be to bring them to Christ’s judgment.

People will ask, “How can you think that way? My God would not condemn people born that way.” 

Their statement makes three errors:

1) I do not “think” that way. I believe it because God said it!

2) When they say “My God” they do not refer to the One True God but to the one they’ve made in their own image.

3) Homosexuals were not “born” to be that way. God NEVER tells us “thou shalt not” and then designs us to make us do it. Sin is always a personal choice.

Solving Mysteries

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. – 1 Corinthians 13:12, NASB

It says “now,” a reference to our current state, and “then,” which from verse 10 we learn that is the “time when perfect comes.” We are made perfect in everything the moment we enter into God's presence. He can have nothing less in Heaven with Him. And any mystery that exists for you will be made known the same as you are now fully known – without mystery – by your Creator. “Oh, what a wonderful day that will be.”

Running

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. - 1Co 9:24

What race are you running? Prayerfully it is not the “rat race.” Paul's point in the passage is that racing takes discipline and hard work and being a Christian is the same. It takes discipline – prayer, Bible study, fellowship, worship, etc. – and those are not always easily accomplished. That was Paul’s point nearly 2,000 years ago when people were too busy. Like the Corinthians we are not too busy, we are too busy doing other “more important” things.

One Body

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
- 1Corinthians 12:12-13

 
There may be someplace on the continent of Africa a young girl who when she grows up will become an excellent Sunday school teacher having been led to a trusting faith in Jesus by a missionary from South Korea who was trained at a Bible college in Germany and seminary in the US; those schools receive much needed donations from Christians from several nations and prayer support from even more. Members of one body. What’s your role?

Run to Win

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. - 1Corinthians 9:24

Paul often compares to our Christian walk to a race. Here he’s encouraging steadfastness, perseverance. Our lives are not sprints. They’re more like marathons where only God knows far it is to the finish line. We’re to run to win – live fully relying on Him until the end. Don’t walk, run to Him.