Divisive, Factional,
Superficial, Slanderers, Judgmental, Carnal, Nominal, Holier-than-thou,
Flirting, Vulgar, Inconsiderate, Provocative Immoral, Incestuous, Unrepentant,
Loose, Litigious.
At first glance, the words above
seem to fit the non-believer, but the Apostle Paul was dealing with these
issues in the Corinthian Church. How is it possible for Christians to behave
like this? Paul assigns Christians to two camps – spiritual or worldly (1 Cor.
3). The spiritual Christians were the ‘mature’ believers, and the worldly/carnal
he designated as ‘immature.’ It is the fighting and factionalism found among
them that Paul addressed in chapter 3:1-4. His issue with the Corinthian
brethren was the use of their spiritual gifts for “self-centered purposes
rather than building up the body of Christ.”[1]
We would like to gloss our eyes over and pretend such people do not dwell among
us; closer to home, the words above could very well describe our own character.
Just think about it for a minute –
Christians fighting against each other; Christians with a thirst for taking
each other to court; Christians elevating themselves above each other (title
hungry); desiring and taking of another’s husband or wife; Christians who are unrepentant
about living in a carnal state. There is nothing new under the sun folks. The
Apostle Paul had to deal with these issues in his time, as we do now. Still,
Paul’s assignment is to build up the brethren, calling for “unity, oneness and strength”
in Christ Jesus. By the time we get to chapter 9, he uses racetrack and boxing
metaphors to stress a unifying principle – The Christian life is a race, a
fight, but it is imperative that folks be built up in the faith, that we demand
a commitment to Christian living, or risk
disqualification:
“Do you
not know that in a race the runners all compete, but only one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may win it. 25 Athletes exercise self-control
in all things; they do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable
one. 26 So I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air; 27
but I punish my body and enslave it, so that after proclaiming to others I
myself should not be disqualified.”
Keeping
this in mind (disqualification), the Apostle Paul retells the tragic account of
a people who were blessed immensely by God, who squandered their grace and
favor, and were judged for their actions (1 Cor. 10). Essentially, if we keep
acting like this, we too are prone to judgment (I never knew you! Mat. 7:21-3). “So that the Corinthians might
not think God’s discipline would be an unlikely eventuality for a people so
blessed as they (1 Cor. 1:5), Paul cited the illustration of another group of
people (Israel)…who God meted out severe discipline by cutting short the lives
of many Israelites”[2]
(9:24,27).
In chapter 10, with the Israel of old
in mind, Paul stresses to three different groups the pitfalls of overconfidence
and the lack of self-discipline. The three groups in mind are leaders, strong
believers and weak believers. The theme per se of chapter 10 is “Avoid Israel’s
Mistakes!” He begins “I don’t want you
to be unaware…” (10:1a). While the Bible does not spell out some things as
wrong, in some things we do not have the liberty to indulge. Considering the
context of the Exodus (the children of Israel leaving Egypt under the
leadership of Moses; Ex.14:19-20), please note the following[3]:
ü
All the Israelites left Egypt under the
supernatural guidance and protection of God (Ex. 14:19-20, 13:21). The Corinthians
experienced a similar degree of blessings (Lk. 1:79; 1 Pet. 1:5)
ü
All the Israelites were baptized, experiencing
a miracle (Ex. 14:21-8). The Corinthians experienced baptism and the miracle of
salvation as well (Gal. 1;14; Heb. 2:14-15)
ü
All the Israelites were connected to their
leader/spiritual head (Ex.14:31). Paul calls it “baptized into Moses” (1 Cor.
10:2). The Corinthians experienced Baptism into Christ, their spiritual head (1
Cor. 12:13)
ü
The Israelites enjoyed spiritual food/Christ (Ex.
16:4,15). The Corinthians too were privileged to eat spiritual food (Jn.
16:31-4)
ü
The Israelites enjoyed spiritual drink, Crist
as their source (Ex. 17:6). The Corinthians also partook of spiritual drink
(Jn. 4:10-14)
So what was the point of this comparison by Paul? Well, with all
these privileges in mind, the people still rebelled, complained, acted immorally,
were self-indulgent and incurred God’s wrath. In other words, not because they
attended church, does it mean automatic maturity. God’s people still “act in
the flesh,” but Paul wishes for us to be mindful that such actions can
seriously cost us. Of the millions of people who left Egypt, only two from that
generation made it to the promised land. Not even the leader (Moses) made it to
the other side (Num. 20:12). The people frustrated him and caused him to miss
out as well. Considerations for leaders?
Consider now
the issue at hand. John Walvoord and Roy Zuck lists a fivefold failure by the
Israelites which was applicable to the Corinthians and for us today:
1.
The Israelites had a craving for the pleasures
of Egypt (love of the world) – Numbers 11:4-34. I have to tell you, they were
serious complainers, flying in the face of God: “Give us meat to eat!”. God punished
them with a plague (Num. 11:31-4). Check out the Corinthians (1 Cor. 8:13)
2.
The Israelites were idolaters (Ex. 32:1-6).
God punished them (EX. 32:28,35). The Corinthians struggled with idolatry as
well (1 Cor. 8:10, 10:14).
3.
The Israelites struggled with immorality (Num.
25:1-2,4-9). The Corinthians were deeply immoral (1 Cor. 5:1; 6:18).
4.
The Israelites presumed to know God’s plan for
their lives. God sent them snakes (Num. 21:4-6). The Corinthians thought they
knew better than God (1 Cor. 1:18-3:20).
5.
The Israelites spoke against their God-appointed leaders (Num.
16:41-49). God killed them for this. Was the Corinthian church dealing with
similar issues? (1 Cor. 1:11; 4:18-19).
Now, very closely aligned with Paul’s concern for Unity ,Oneness
& Strength was his message to the church in Ephesus. In Ephesians 4:4-15,
the Apostle makes a clarion call for a cohesive movement of believers. The
ethos he seeks can be summed up in 4:5 – “One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.” Like
the Israelites who in oneness were baptized into Moses, and connected to their
spiritual father, so too should the church (that’s you and me). Paul’s
challenge to the believers is to “live a life worthy of the calling we have
received.”[4] Our Christian witness is at stake here folks;
How can and why should we treat each other in such an un-Christlike manner. To
the mature believers, God be praised for you. Understandably, differences can
lead to division, but “instead of concentrating on what dives us, let us
consider what unites us.”[5] Ecumenism
at its core is not always the best option. Paul encourages us to “diligently pursue
peace,” (Eph. 4:3), intentionally reflecting the spirit of humility (“pride
promotes disunity, humility promotes unity”[6]),
gentleness/meekness (less rudeness and harshness; more self-control), and
patience towards each other (toleration of differences without compromise). The
Israelites experienced spiritual unity, so too the Corinthians, and so should
we. Stick to the main thing (Eph. 4:5).
Considering the contrast, in 1 Corinthians 10, Paul simply wishes
to make the point clear – “Avoid Israel’s mistakes people!” The church should never look like the world.
God’s people should be blameless. Israel’s mistakes were given for our
consideration to avoid God’s disfavor. Let’s not be two-faced people! Run to
win. Let’s consider our ways. Are we spiritually mature or carnal in our decorum?
Using the Exodus narrative as a typological foreshadowing of Christ, Paul
essentially says to us: “Don’t be proud of your maturity, don’t flaunt your
freedom, act in love towards the weaker brother, cultivate spiritual disciplines,
don’t get offended when your ideas are not embraced (be a bit tolerant without
compromise), and stick to your godly convictions. For leaders, teach God’s
Word, be patient, and don’t allow compromise to derail the mission. Consider
Israel who had it all, yet lost it all. And remember, we can resist temptation
to be carnal if we yield to the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 10:13). Be encouraged!
[2] John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, The Bible
Knowledge Commentary, (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 1983), 525.
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