July 16, 2020

Over the next 16 days we will be reading through the book of 1 Corinthians together. The church in Corinth was an absolute mess! They were plagued by serious issues of arrogance, division, sexual immorality, and confusion concerning doctrine as well as the particulars of their moral living under the gospel. This church needed a wake-up call, a call to repentance and purity, to renewed devotion to Christ, to love and unity, and to zeal for the gospel. The church has changed little over the last 2,000 years, but praise God that there is abundant grace for the mess! Each of us needs this same call to humility faithfulness, unity, and fervor today as much as they needed it then. Let’s heed this call which God gave the church at Corinth through the apostle Paul and let it shape the way we live as Christ’s body!

Paul continues his scathing admonishment towards the Corinthians for their behavior in this chapter, essentially telling them they have been acting like a bunch of babies (v.1-2)! In being boastful about their preferred Christian teacher, they were acting just like the unbelieving world around them and demonstrating their immaturity in the faith. Paul urges them to remember who they are (the dwelling place of God’s Spirit cf. verse 16) and whose they are (Christ’s cf. verse 23).

How often do we see jealousy, arrogance, strife, and division in the church? Yet Paul says here that these things demonstrate a lack of spiritual maturity! These are worldly, fallen, and sinful ways of living; the gospel calls us to a supernatural way of living and makes it possible for us by means of the Holy Spirit! Instead of jealousy, arrogance, and strife, which are all focused on the self, God calls us to dwell in unity, love, and selflessness together as the church. 

The Lord calls us to put away merely human, worldly ways and walk in a supernatural, Spirit-empowered, new way as His people. Are you living as a spiritual infant, or are you growing up into maturity in Christ?

1 Corinthians 3

Divisions in the Church

3 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,23 and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Family Discussion Question:

  • What are some ways you have seen the lack of spiritual maturity demonstrate itself in the life of the church? How can you be always growing up into maturity in Christ and helping others to do the same, to live in this new and supernatural way?

16 thoughts on “Daily Devotional-July 16”

  1. Dear Heavenly Father,
    Becoming a child of God has taught us a whole different way of living and thinking, which is free from self. When I was a child I spoke as a child and did childish things. So it is true, as young Christians, we sometimes act like children still focusing on ourselves and our ways. However, as we grow along in our faith, we slowly mature. Please help me to remember that my mindset is to be kept on You, God, not me. You are the author and the finisher of our faith. It is truly comforting to know that all of these worldly things are temporary and not lasting for they do not belong in the spiritual world. I want to build up treasures in heaven that will last forever. This pandemic in which we are living, has allowed us time to slow down and concentrate on what we actually need and what is important. If we are truly wise and think with spiritual maturity, we will be able to see that what we need is right here before us….You, LORD. Thank You for giving me discernment and clear vision to see the world as You see it…a field ripe for harvesting. Help me be a helpmate, not a hindrance. Lead me in the ways of righteousness, oh LORD, I pray. Amen.

  2. We are so blessed to be invited into God’s story and included in His redemptive activity.

    “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” 1 Cor. 3:6-7

    1. But God gave the growth! I am thankful for growth… That only God can give!

      1. I am thankful to grow as a Christian. I am thankful to be able to pray and worship with my church family. The Lord has given me the strength to be able to come together as a church and online. Our Father God will give us the freedom to do so. I am happy and proud to be a Child of God. I say this in Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior Amen

  3. Thank you Lord Jesus for Your Words today. Thank you for Your guidance. You are the rutted of my vessel. Guiding me through this storm. Though I don’t know where Your taking me, I will trust in You. And You alone. In Your Name I pray Jesus Amen.

  6. Thank you Lord for the foundation you have laid for us to follow right now we we in the middle of this pandemic and their are many whom are out their whom are not praying to you for healing of this virus because they do not know you. I pray this morning and every morning that their eyes and ears will be opened so they will be healed and also our land.I ask this in the Almighty Name Of Jesus Amen!

  7. Praise you for the Holy Spirit – our helper, our guide. Today please Lord have the holy spirit guide my words and actions to bring others closer to you. I lift those who are lonely – the elderly and widows – to your throne. May you comfort them and protect them from this virus. Give the lonely someone to reach out and connect with them to reiterate your love and care for them. Please Lord by glorified and honored by my service.

  8. Because I am yours Lord Jesus, I pray that your Holy Spirit will emanate from me, to help me be nothing more than your servant, through whom others will believe.

  10. Amen and Amen to all our heartfelt prayers. Dear God we thank you for we are indeed your earthly temple, individually and collectively. A church, a holy tabernacle unto you. Upon your foundation of love, faithfulness, patience charity, suffering and all the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we shall all continue to strive to put our fleshy selves under subjugation of your Holy Spirit which you have poured out upon us. Dear Lord help us, , help our weakness, help us your church to keep marching forward in your strength alone and the gates of hell will not prevail against us.
    Love you so much dear Lord. Bless us all Oh Lord, Relent forgive by your mercy and grace, heal our land, heal the world of this pandemic. May your righteousness begin to take over many hearts and souls, that we may overcome, in your precious Holy name Jesus Christ our Lord and Master, Amen!

  11. Thank you Lord, for a desire to serve You by serving others and bring others to You!

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