The book of I Corinthians is one of my favorite books in the Bible! Over the next several weeks, I hope to share several posts based on my studies of this book. It is my prayer that these truths will be as much a blessing to you, as they are to me.
I Corinthians is a very relevant book for this day and age in which we live. In John Phillips commentary, Exploring I Corinthians, he compares the wicked city of Corinth with Vanity Fair in Pilgrims Progress. Allow me to quote from Mr. Phillips preface: "It was no small thing to be a Christian at Corinth, to spurn its ways and its wares, to live there unspotted from the world. Christianity is in no peril from the Corinths and Vanity Fairs of this world, however, just so long as it stays true to its call....It is not the water outside a ship that sinks it. A ship is designed for deep waters. It is the water that gets in that imperils a ship. That was what imperiled the Christians at Corinth. The world had come into the church." I believe that Christians have ALLOWED the world into the church. Slowly, we compromise our beliefs. We give up our morals. It is not easy to stand strong, to fight for what we know is right. Our spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I struggle everyday with my flesh, and if you're honest, you will admit you struggle as well. In I Corinthians, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes and exhorts us how to live righteously.
Today I want to focus on the last part of chapter 1. Let us examine: Who is called, Why are we called, and for What purpose are we called?
"For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." - I Cor. 1: 26-31
1. Who Is Called?
The Bible states that not many wise, mighty, or noble are called to serve Him. Rather it is often "the weak things", "the base things", and "things which are despised", that are called to serve the King of Kings. In the book of Judges, there are many examples of this. God used David, a shepherd boy, to defeat the giant Goliath. D.L. Moody was an uneducated salesman, and William Carey was a cobbler.
2. Why are we called?
God calls the simple people so that "no flesh should glory in his presence." God does not want us to glory in ourselves. He desires that glory for Himself, and rightly so, after all, He it is that created us. He gives us the breath to live each and every day, the strength to carry out our daily tasks. Everything we have and are is because of Him.
3. What is our purpose for being called?
Our purpose stated very simply is to bring God glory. How can we accomplish this? We bring God glory when we: live holy, separated lives. We bring Him glory when we tell the lost about the Savior. God "Is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come unto repentance." II Peter 3:9
And so we see the Who, Why, and What of our calling. It is an awesome privilege to be called to serve God Almighty! I am not worthy to go and serve God in Gabon, Africa. Yet God has called me and I have answered that call. I accept the responsibility humbly. Ultimately, anything done for God in Gabon will be by His enablement and for His glory. It would be a tragic thing to take the credit for ourselves. We know how weak our flesh is, and how much we need God's grace every day.
Let us resolve to accept God's calling for God's glory!! Let us live in this world for a time, but let us not allow the world to be in us. "Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." I Thess. 5:24
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