Carnal
As I began to minister online in 1998, I noticed the chat rooms were places of strife, anger and divisions. With this in mind a "Grace room " private chat was began. A place for Bible study, fellowship and prayer. The first requirement was unity and love. People of one heart for the Lord were invited to come together in the Spirit of peace. We still meet each Friday night, as of 2016. In this atmosphere the Spirit of God has moved mightily. Healings and miracles have occurred in the room, because God's Spirit met with those of one accord. God's Spirit will not bless those who are "at war" in the flesh. Paul speaks to the "carnal" Corinthian believers.
1 Cor 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
These were "born again" Christians, but behaving in a worldly, fleshly manner. This usually is something that will change with maturity. Let me say that even mature belevers sometimes have moments when they fail. Sometimes the enemy puts dark thoughts in the mind, and they are temporarily caught off guard, or react in a fleshly way.
carnal; (sarkikos) from sarx, "flesh," signifies (a) "having the nature of flesh," i.e., sensual, controlled by animal appetites, governed by human nature, instead of by the Spirit of God,
1 Cor 3:2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
Their problem was they did not have ears to hear God's truths. They preferred entertaining words of a great speaker with little nourishment. They preferred spiritual "junk food". Paul had to speak to them in the basic simple things, the milk of the word. Milk is nourishing but they should have been developed enough to be disciples, learning so much more.
When an illness comes sometmes we are forced to eat soft foods until we are recovered enough to eat meat. I don't think anyone chooses to be ill, most want to be healthy and strong. It should be that way in the Spititual things. We should all be disciples of Jesus seeking all he has called us to be. Yet some are content to be carnal.
1 Cor 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Envyings...This is a bad one. It desires to deprive another of what it wants. If it cannot have something, it desires to prevent another from having it. Tear another down, destroy another to prevent them from having what you desire for self.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
strife...debate, contentions, bitter sometimes violent words seeking to be the winner in their arguments and words.
Phil 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
divisions...Satan seeks to divide, homes, churches, groups of Christians
Eph 4:3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Eph 4:4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
Let us be disciples of Jesus, eager to learn in a spirit of love and unity and peace. Lord Jesus keep your people pure and trusting in you.
God's increase
1 Cor 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I [am] of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Paul was not looking for followers. He came to bring people to Jesus. We are to follow him. The Bible shows us, He is the way of life. The Corinthians were looking at the popular evangelists making them heros to follow. Paul didn't mind them following his works, (Phil 3:17,18) but he did not want to become an idol. No Christian celebrities,this is not good. Yet, we are to have a good reputation before all men so that Jesus' name will not be shamed before man.
1 Cor 3:5 Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
They were only ministers of the Gospel. Paul and Apollos are not the one you believed on for salvation; they only brought Jesus to you.
Last night in chat there was a familiar name, an evil person who discredits Gods word. She had many followers in the room. I opposed her by quoting the word of truth. There was a poor young woman seeking help in that room. She came to me and I am helping her with her problems. People come to the light. Even people who are lost and do not know the way, are drawn to Jesus when he is lifted up.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
1 Cor 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Each had a part in delivering the message of salvation but God gives the increase.
1 Cor 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
The praise goes to God who is able to save souls and bring new life. Jesus is the saviour.
1 Cor 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
They both worked together in unity for the purpose and glory of God. God will reward each act of obedience according to the purpose of each hearts work.
Phil 1:15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Phil 1:16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds:
Phil 1:17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
Phil 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, [ye are] God's building
You are God's husbandry, tilled or prepared ground; you are God's Spiritual building. It is God who prepares hearts and builds his church. No man can save another, it is the work of God and the cross. Lord move in the ladies heart as she learns of you. May your hope go out to all who are lost. I heard today in our communuty that 85% do not attend church. Christians are a minority. If we are faithful God will give the increase. Thank you Lord. Amen
The Foundation
1 Cor 3:10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Jesus is the foundation upon which our faith is built.
Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
In the parable of building our house on the rock, Jesus is the rock we build on.
Paul as an Apostle of Jesus, was sent to bring the good news to others, establishing groups of believers and teaching them the truths he was taught of Jesus. The apostles added to the foundation as they were inspired by God's Holy Spirit to write the Holy scriptures.
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Jesus being the corner stone. God also used apostles and prophets to build his spiritual foundation. We are warned to not add to this foundation false words and works. (Rev 22: 18,19) The foundation remains complete in the living word of God, his Bible. Many Churches have ignored the Bible and have built upon the foundation popular doctrines of the world. These are "liberal" churches who have left the truth for error.
1 Cor 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Yes Jesus Christ is our foundation. We must build on his finished work. He is the way to God. He is the head of the Church, who are all those who believe in him. There is no other way to God but through Jesus Christ. To teach another way is to lay a false layer on the foundation that will perish.
1 Cor 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Cor 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire. All that is not pure and founded on Jesus Christ will be consumed. This includes our lives work. The motives and fruit of our life will be tried as if by fire.
1 Cor 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
All who are on the foundation and saved by Jesus Christ will not perish. But, the carnal works of the flesh will perish. All that is good will remain. Even a glass of water given.
Mat 10:39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
Mat 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
Mat 10:41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward.
Mat 10:42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
Every good thing done in Jesus will remain.
1 Cor 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Jesus keeps all who receive him by faith from destruction.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Jesus keeps his sheep from destruction. Those who do much good will receive rewards in heaven. Those who do not receive rewards, still are saved from destruction and abide in God's house of peace forever. I want to be with those I love and those who I never met in person, like Rochelle to rejoice with them forever . Thank you Lord.
Your Holy Temple
1 Cor 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
We are the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit. A Holy house separated unto God. Jesus called his body the temple.
John 2:19 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
John 2:20 Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
John 2:21 But he spake of the temple of his body.
He spoke of his death and resurrection.
2 Cor 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
We are to be separated unto God. If we defile God's temple we are in danger.
1 Cor 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
This does not mean the soul will be destroyed. I believe that when we receive Jesus as Lord we are kept by him. He gives eternal life. Others may disagree. What then does this verse mean? Paul explains it again in another verse.
1 Cor 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
1 Cor 5:2 And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.
1 Cor 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed,
1 Cor 5:4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
1 Cor 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
God will destroy the body that defiles the Holy Spirit in continuous acts of disobedience. This applies to someone who has been confronted with the sin and refuses to repent, to turn back to God. Paul said he has judged him. This is a point of controversy. But, what he is saying is he has judged the behavior of the man by the standards of the word of God. He has not repented so must be put out of fellowship with other believers. This will leave him to Satan who will destroy his body that the soul may be saved.
Some may say, this means that soul and body will be destroyed, because they probably never were truly saved, this could be also. What then? Walk close with our Lord Jesus. Desire his will and you will not be destroyed in flesh or spirit by Satan.What does Jesus require but to love your Lord God with all your heart and soul, and to obey him. This is what God's Spirit in us desires.
Now many are abused against their will. God knows it is not your sin. He receives you with love and open arms forever. Do not receive anothers accusations of guilt. God knows all things. Jesus has died to remove all shame and guilt. Jesus knows who has received him and he will keep their souls forever. We have a loving and holy saviour. He is our example. We are to be like him in our lives before others, separated unto good works.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Foolish wisdom
1 Cor 3:18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
In visiting the Christian Chats last night, my spirit was grieved with all the rooms being filled with Pagans and other ungodly people trying to destroy the Christian faith. They selected certain scriptures, then applied human (and demon) logic to mock the word of God. No matter how many other verses were used to explain their question, it fell on blind eyes. They were there to destroy the Christian rooms. Every room was filled with them. Where will the true seeker find the truth today?
Prov 1:5 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Prov 1:6 To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
Prov 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Many do not fear the LORD, but mock him and those who speak his words. Some of this is from the use of drugs and alcohol that invite demonic possession.
1 Cor 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1 Cor 3:20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Their thoughts are empty glorying in their own shame. The Psalmist spoke of vanity:
Psa 62:9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
1 Cor 3:21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1 Cor 3:22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1 Cor 3:23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Don't glory in men or things for we are in Christ Jesus and he is God's and God owns all things. Our behaviour should be as children of God who Christ has redeemed with his own blood.
1 Cor 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.Amen
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