The Unified but Diverse Body of Christ.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:17-24

 

1 Corinthians 7:24

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

(ESV)

 

The Church is referred to in scripture as the body of Christ (Romans 12:5). Viewing the Church  as a body provides a view of a community with many members each having different functions or callings to perform, endowed with gifts from God to help them carry out these functions (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). Unity in the Church is not uniformity where each member dresses, acts, and speaks in the same manner but a blending of different people unified by the Spirit of God to lift up Jesus and make disciples (John 12:32; Matthew 28:19-20). In 1 Corinthians 7:17-24, Paul reminds us that we are to live as we are called by God.

 

Paul begins with his rule to the churches that they lead the life the Lord has assigned to them and to which God has called them (1 Corinthians 7:17). As an example of the application of this rule, Paul uses circumcision. Those already circumcised at receiving his calling should remain circumcised with those not circumcised not required to be circumcised for circumcision counts for nothing, only keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:18-19). Each one should remain in the condition he was in at the receipt of his calling (1 Corinthians 7:20).

 

Paul gives another example, that of a bondservant. For those who were bondservants at the time of receiving their calling, Paul’s rule would dictate it is okay to remain a bondservant but if an opportunity to gain freedom presents itself, they should take advantage of it (1 Corinthians 7:21). Those who were bondservants when called by Christ are now freed children of God with those free when called now bondservants of Christ (1 Corinthians 7:22). The bottom line is that all followers of Christ were bought with a price, the blood of Christ (Revelation 1:5). Considering the high price of our salvation we are to remain with God in whatever condition we were in when called (1 Corinthians 7:24).

 

The friction between Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ had brought about deceptive teaching that Gentile believers needed to be circumcised before fulfilling their calling. Based upon this text there may also have been teaching that bondservants needed to gain their freedom before fulfilling their calling. Paul is teaching that keeping the commandments of God is what counts, not one’s status in life at the time of his or her calling.

 

The Church is made up of a diverse group of individuals with the text of Romans 16 providing an example through people Paul knew. The group of individuals in Romans 16 contains,

 

• 25 men, 10 women, and 2 whose gender is unknown based on their name.
• 31 Gentiles and 6 Jews.
• Heads of households and slaves.
• Married couples and singles.
• A variety of roles

 

The diverse group of individuals Paul refers to in the conclusion of the book of Romans indicates he celebrated the diversity of the Body of Christ and was not interested in bringing everyone in the Church into uniformity. Instead, Paul’s interest was in the unification of this diverse community under the Spirit of God through Christ (Ephesians 4:1-6).

 

With the global expansion of Christianity around the world, the Church is even more diverse than it was at the time of Paul. Jesus called for those in the Church and called by God to love one another with this being the sign they are disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35). Unity in the Church is not uniformity with everyone being the same but a diverse group of individuals unified by the Spirit with the mission of declaring the Gospel and making disciples (Ephesians 4:1-6; Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). However, one remaining in the condition to which he or she was called does not include continuing to live in sin for Paul does stress the importance of one keeping the commandments of God (1 Corinthians 7:19-20).

 

If you are reading this post and have not obeyed the calling of God to accept Jesus as your savior and have eternal life (John 3:16), I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Pray Without Ceasing for Restoration.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 80

 

Ephesians 6:18

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

(ESV)

 

In a world of hatred and perversion, the Church should be strong and able to stand against the hatred and perversion of the world but instead, the Church appears powerless. This is why we must put on the armor of God and pray without ceasing so that we can withstand the attacks of the enemy that can weaken the Church (Ephesians 6:10-18). We must also pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so we can have the power of God within us to effectively be witnesses for Christ in a world desperately needing Revival (Acts 1:8). Asaph’s prayer in Psalm 80 provides a pattern for how the Church should pray.

 

When we find ourselves in need or when we have heavy hearts at what we see happening around us, we should do as Asaph did and turn to God by,

 

1)      Turning to God as the one able to save us (Psalm 80:1-3) – Asaph begins this psalm by addressing God as the Shepherd of Israel, the one who led Joseph like a flock, and who sits enthroned upon the cherubim who shines forth (Psalm 80:1). He then turns to God, asking Him to stir up His might and to come and save Israel, asking for restoration and that God’s face would shine, or smile upon them (Psalm 80:2-3).

2)      Making your case to God (Psalm 80:4-7) – Asaph asks God how long He will be angry with Israel, feeding them with the bread of tears and making them drink the full measure of tears (Psalm 80:4-5). He also lets God know that Israel is a contention for their neighbors and that their enemies laugh among themselves about Israel (Psalm 80:6). Again Asaph asks for God to restore and save Israel and that God’s face would shine upon them (Psalm 80:7).

3)      Asaph remembers God’s past deliverances, the extent of God’s blessings upon the land, and Israel’s present broken-down state (Psalm 80:8-13) – Asaph then remembers how God took a vine, Israel, out of Egypt and then planted that vine in the Promised Land (Psalm 80:8). God cleared the ground of the enemies in the land so the vine could take deep root and fill the land to the extent the mountains were covered by its shade and the cedars with its branches (Psalm 80:9-10). The vine of Israel sent out its branches to the sea, the Mediterranean, and its shoots to the river, probably the Euphrates (Psalm 80:11). He is reminding God that the nation of Israel once covered a wide area but now its walls have broken down, passers-by pick its fruit, and the boar ravages it with all that move in the field feeding on it (Psalm 80:12-13).

4)      Asaph makes his request to God (Psalm 80:14-19) – Asaph asks God to once again look down from heaven and turn towards Israel, having regard for the vine he brought out of Egypt and planted in the Promised Land (Psalm 80:14-15). The enemies of Israel have cut down and burned the vine God planted with Asaph asking that these enemies may perish at the rebuke of God’s face (Psalm 80:16). Asaph asks God to place his hand upon the man of His right hand, the son of man that God has made strong for Himself (Psalm 80:17). This passage is a reference to the Son of Man, Jesus who sits at God’s right hand (Acts 2:33; 5:31; 7:56). Asaph promises that Israel will not turn back from Him based upon the strength He has imparted upon the son of man, promising Israel will call on the name of the Lord, asking that God give them life (Psalm 80:18). Asaph concludes by once again asking God to restore and save Israel, and that His face will shine or smile upon Israel (Psalm 80:19).

 

The text does not disclose what was occurring that caused Asaph to believe the Lord was angry. However, it left the people of Israel in tears with them becoming a contention to their neighbors, with their enemies laughing at them. While we do not know the context of what was occurring, we do know that Asaph had concerns about it and did the right thing by bringing his concerns to God. Asaph did this because he was familiar with the way God shepherded his people when He delivered them from Egypt and threw out the enemies of God living in the Promised Land (Psalm 80:8-11). Asaph was also comfortable with asking God why he was angry (Psalm 80:4) and why He had allowed the walls of the city to be broken down and the land left desolate (Psalm 80:12-13). Asaph was also bold enough in his relationship with God to ask God to look down from heaven and restore Israel, let his face shine upon them, and save His people.

 

The drawback of living in the information age is the bombardment of news, mostly negative news about what is wrong in the world. This information is also full of information from the woke culture that is full of ungodliness asking society, and the Church to accept abortion, gay marriage, transgenderism, and critical race theory. As followers of Christ, we are to arm ourselves with the armor of God and to pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:10-18). The prayer of Asaph in Psalm 80 is a pattern to use when interceding in prayer for what we see happening in our world. Please join me in praying whenever the Spirit of God moves us, especially when we hear something disturbing in the news.

 

In closing, I want to invite anyone reading this that does not have a personal relationship with Christ to pray with me now, so you do not need to face the ungodliness in our world without hope.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

Let the Church not give up on or compromise with the world and its woke culture and instead pray without ceasing in intercessory prayer for God to restore people and our land to a right standing with God. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.

Principals for Marriage

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

 

1 Corinthians 7:1-2

Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” ² But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. 

(ESV)

 

Marriage has been under attack for many years as evidenced by high divorce rates. In fact, society accepts people living with someone of the opposite sex without being married which makes it easy to part ways without the cost of a divorce. Of course, if there are children involved, the effect of a divorce on them must receive consideration but often children become pawns in the chess game of a failed marriage or relationship. What is different about the attack on marriage today is the very foundation of marriage between a man and a woman is under attack. Paul discusses principles for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 but these principles only apply to marriage between a man and a woman because Paul would have found gay marriage unacceptable based on what he told the Romans in Romans 1:24-27.

 

Paul begins this discussion of principles for marriage by stating it is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman (1 Corinthians 7:1). Once again Paul condemned gay marriage in Romans 1:24-27, so he is not condoning gay marriage but abstinence. Paul then states that if someone cannot resist sexual temptation, he or she should marry so as not to sin (1 Corinthians 7:2). In marriage each spouse is obligated to give each other their conjugal rights because the husband has authority over his wife’s body and likewise the wife has authority over her husband’s body (1 Corinthians 7:3-4). This may seem like a loss of liberty but God views marriage as two becoming one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Mark 10:8) making this principle symbolic of this union. Deprivation of conjugal rights for a while is acceptable for devotion to prayer since the union of marriage is under God but they must come together to avoid temptation (1 Corinthians 7:5).

 

Paul wishes all believers were single as he was but understands some cannot exercise self-control over their bodies and should marry so they do not give in to sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:6-9). Paul continues and gives married people this charge from the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband but if she does, she is to remain unmarried or reconcile to her husband (1 Corinthians 7:10-11).

 

Paul then discusses principles for marriages between a believer and an unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:12-16). Paul has previously cautioned the Corinthians against unequally yoked marriages in 1 Corinthians 6:14 but in a growing Church like the one in Corinth there were probably people who were married as unbelievers and now one of them has accepted Christ, but the other spouse has not. Therefore Paul offers these guidelines to them, remain married to the unbeliever as long as they consent to remain married for the believer is a witness to their unbelieving spouse. However, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, the believing spouse should let them go, freeing them of their marriage obligations to their spouse.

 

Paul has previously expressed his concerns over sexual immorality in the Church at Corinth (1 Corinthians 5: 6:12-20) and why he provides principles for marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 perhaps seeing the damage sexual immorality does to marriages. We see two purposes for this passage,

 

1)      The temptation of sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 7:1-11) – The temptation for sexual immorality is strong in some and damaging to one’s relationship with Christ (1 Corinthians 6:17-20). One who is married and remains loyal to his or her spouse keeps their sexual appetite under control, thus avoiding this sin that is damaging to their relationship with Christ.

2)      Guidance for unequally yoked marriages between a believer and unbeliever (1 Corinthians 7:12-16) – The Bible cautions against unequally yoked marriages between an unbeliever and a believer (1 Corinthians 6:14), but this situation is unavoidable when one spouse becomes a believer while the other remains an unbeliever. Paul’s advice is simple, remain married to the unbeliever as long as they consent to remain married for the believer is a witness to an unbeliever. However, if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, the believing spouse should let them go so as not to live enslaved in marriage to a non-consenting unbeliever.

 

The principles offered in 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 are for the Church in Corinth and included in a letter addressed to that Church. However, they have application to believers today who live in a society where the temptation to commit sexual sin is more readily accessible. While one may not physically have sexual relations with someone other than their spouse, the temptation to look with sexual lust upon another, called a sin by Christ (Matthew 5:27-28) is readily available on one’s computer, cell phone, or tablet. Should one be unable to control their sexual desires and give into temptation, they should marry but if they do, they must focus on remaining faithful to their spouse.

 

One who is a believer and not married should seek a spouse from other believers and not purposely enter an unequally yoked marriage. However, if they are already married when they were an unbeliever, and their spouse does not become a believer they should remain married. While there is a possibility their witness as a believer could lead to the unbelieving spouse becoming a believer, there is also a possibility the unbelieving spouse will want to leave. While divorce is abhorrent to God (Matthew 19:1-12), forcing a believing spouse to remain with a nonconsenting unbelieving spouse could not only be uncomfortable for both, but unsafe spiritually and physically.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed to accept Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God Challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Take Your Cares to the Lord.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 79

 

Psalm 79:8

Do not remember against us our former iniquities;
    let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
    for we are brought very low.

(ESV)

 

Like many believers, I find it disturbing to witness the slide of the world into greater and greater ungodliness. What society once considered good is now bad and what society once considered bad society now considers good. In addition, anyone daring to speak up against what society once considered bad becomes a target of hatefulness. This can make a believer in Christ feel discouraged or even bitter. However, believers know Jesus is returning soon and that they can take their cares to God who cares for them (1 Peter 5:7). Psalm 79 shows us how Asaph, a man in anguish of heart over what had happened to his people, took his concerns to the Lord. Asaph,

 

1)      Makes his complaint (Psalm 79:1-4) – The enemy nations of Israel have invaded the land, defiled the Temple, laying Jerusalem in ruins (Psalm 79:1). In addition to property damage, these enemy nations have also murdered God’s servants, leaving their bodies as food for the birds of the heavens and beasts of the earth (Psalm 79:2). The blood of God’s servants is also poured out like water all around Jerusalem with no one to bury them (Psalm 79:3). Israel has now become a taunt to their neighbors who now mock and deride them (Psalm 79:4).

2)      Makes his petition (Psalm 79:5-7) – Asaph asks how long the Lord will remain angry with jealousy that burns like fire (Psalm 79:5). Asaph’s petition asks that God pour out his anger on the enemy nations of Israel that do now know the Lord or call upon His name because they have devoured Jacob and laid the land waste (Psalm 79:6-7).

3)      Repents, seeks salvation, deliverance, and atonement from God (Psalm 79:8-10) – In repentance, Asaph asks God to forget Israel’s former iniquities and show Israel compassion for they are brought low (Psalm 79:8). Asaph then petitions the God of Israel’s salvation for deliverance and atonement for sin so the nations attacking Israel cannot ask where their God is (Psalm 79:9-10).

4)      Asks God to return the enemies' taunts upon Israel’s enemies, giving thanks to God (Psalm 79:11-13) – Asaph asks the Lord to hear the groans of the prisoners and to preserve those doomed to die by His great power (Psalm 79:11). He then asks the Lord to return the taunts of Israel’s enemies upon them with the People of God giving thanks to God forever, recounting God’s praise (Psalm 79:12-13).

 

Like many of the Psalms, this one is an emotional heartfelt plea to God. The psalmist refers to the state of Israel and how their enemies have laid waste to the land and habitations of Israel (Psalm 79:7). The psalmist knows God is angry with the people of Jerusalem but wonders how long the anger will last (Psalm 79:5). The psalmist knows the anger of the Lord against His people is due to their iniquities and asks God not to remember their former iniquities, asking for salvation, deliverance, and atonement for sins (Psalm 79:8-9). After receiving forgiveness and atonement for sin, the psalmist asks that the anger of the Lord once directed at Israel now come upon the enemies of the Lord promising that the people of God will give thanks forever and recount God’s praise. Psalm 79 is a psalm of repentance or turning back to God. Asaph knows Israel must repent of its iniquities to find deliverance from their enemies.

 

Jesus told us that in this world we would have trouble, with the reminder that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). The question we must ask ourselves is what do we do when trouble comes? We can remember Jesus has overcome the world and its troubles and take our cares to Him because Jesus cares for us (1 Peter 5:7) repenting of any unrepentant sin. Since Jesus is always with us, we can take our cares to him anytime (Matthew 28:20). However, troubles can also make one desperate or bitter when we forget to take them to the Lord. Our reaction to trouble depends on how prepared we are for trouble and why it is crucial for a believer to spend time with God daily, to fill our hearts with the promises of God that one can rely on in trouble.

 

If you are reading this and have never prayed to receive Jesus as your Savior or have drifted away from God due to the cares and troubles of the world, I encourage you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

The cares of this world can press in on us, placing a strain on our relationship with God and with others. I encourage everyone reading this to practice the spiritual disciplines of prayer, the study of God’s Word, and regular Church attendance so we are prepared to take our cares to God when troubles come. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Flee the Defilement and Pollution of Sexual Immorality.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

 

1 Corinthians 6:18

Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin^[b] a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.

(ESV)

 

The social issues of our time, abortion, homosexuality, and transgenderism all have a link to sexual immorality. Abortion is legalized murder, often done because someone committed sexual immorality that resulted in an unwanted pregnancy, covering it up with an abortion. Homosexuality is sexual perversion spoken against in Romans 1:24-27. God made people as males and females (Genesis 1:27) with transgenderism making the claim God can make mistakes in His choice of gender at creation. The truth, however, could be that some want to change genders so they can be in the locker room or public restroom with those of the opposite gender. However, the worst sin of sexual immorality is pornography for it is a sin against one’s body, preventing intimacy with God and the polluting of the temple of the Holy Spirit.

 

After the previous section regarding lawsuits against believers (1 Corinthians 6:1-11), Paul begins this section with a statement that all things are legal for him but not all things are helpful. He continues by saying that even though all things are legal, he is not dominated by anything (1 Corinthians 6:12). Paul then provides clarification of this statement by using the example of food, which is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food with both destroyed by God at some time. However, sexual immorality, unlike food, is not meant for the body because the body is meant for the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13-14; Romans 12:1). This is an example of something legal and good for us, food, as opposed to sexual immorality that defiles the body. Since our bodies are members of Christ when one professes Jesus as their Lord and then commits the sin of sexual immorality with their bodies they are acting like one joining their body to a prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:15).

 

When one marries, he and his wife are united with the two becoming one flesh. However, when one is with a prostitute he also becomes one flesh with the prostitute, defiling his body (1 Corinthians 6:16). When we accept Christ, our bodies join with Christ as living sacrifices so to commit sexual immorality with our bodies is like to sinning against our spouse with a prostitute (1 Corinthians 6:17). Therefore, believers are to flee sexual immorality, even though they have the liberty to commit this sin, because it is a sin against one’s body that belongs to the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:18). A believer’s body is also the temple of the Holy Spirit so sexual immorality also defiles the temple where God lives in the person of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The conclusion is that we were bought with a price, the death of Jesus the Son of God so we should glorify God in our bodies (1 Corinthians 6:20).

 

The city of Corinth as part of Greece found itself immersed in Greek culture. The gods of Greek mythology freely practiced sexual immorality making its practice common in Greek culture. The Gentile converts in Corinth came out of this culture that freely practiced sexual immorality, with many possibly still living in sexual immorality. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul already pointed to the need to excommunicate one from the Church in Corinth who had sexual relations with his father's wife (1 Corinthians 5:1). In 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Paul provides details about the despicable nature of the sin of sexual immorality and its damage to ones intimacy with Christ and lack of power from the Holy Spirit by polluting the temple of the Holy Spirit, our bodies. The purpose of this teaching is to stop the damaging spread of the sin of sexual immorality within the Church in Corinth.

 

Sexual immorality is still prevalent in our culture today, but with technology, pornography is now available to anyone through their PC or phone. While one may justify viewing pornography on their phone as okay because they are not physically joining with a prostitute, we must remember the words of Christ who said looking at a woman with lust is the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28). Therefore, one looking at pornography is looking at another woman with lust and committing adultery with her, a sexually immoral sin. Paul instructed the Roman believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God and to lose conformity to the world through the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:1-2). One engaging in sexual immorality, including looking at pornography, is not presenting his body as a living sacrifice to God. Looking at pornography increases one’s conformity to the world, so I encourage anyone addicted to pornography to seek help and renew their minds by looking at God’s Word instead of pornography.

 

Jesus said he was the way, the truth, and the life and that no one could have a relationship with God unless they went through Him (John 14:6). Jesus opened the pathway to a relationship with God the Father through His death for sinners, something we all are (Romans 3:23; 5:8). However, this pathway is narrow with only those choosing to confess Jesus as their Lord passing through it (Matthew 7:13-14; Romans 10:9-10). If you are reading this and have not passed through the passage created by Jesus' death for your sins, I encourage you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage anyone that just prayed to find a Church teaching the Word of God and to begin renewing their mind through reading and studying the Word of God. This is especially true for anyone reading this addicted to pornography with my encouragement to put down the pornography and pick up the Word of God. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Passing on a Godly Heritage.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 78

 

Psalm 78:2-4

I will open my mouth in a parable;
    I will utter dark sayings from of old,
³ things that we have heard and known,
    that our fathers have told us.
⁴ We will not hide them from their children,
    but tell to the coming generation
the glorious deeds of the Lord, and his might,
    and the wonders that he has done.

(ESV)

 

One of the main tenants of the Communist Manifesto is the separation of children from their parents to prevent exposure to the values of their parents and instead indoctrination with the secular values of communism. Children are impressionable in their youth and why God stressed the importance of parents sharing the things of God with their children (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). In today’s culture, the Church has children once or twice a week with the schools having them five days a week. The numbers are in favor of children having greater exposure to secular and often ungodly values with parents having the ability to tip the scales in favor of Godly values since they have their children seven days a week.

 

This psalm begins with Asaph asking those hearing it to pay attention to what it is going to teach. The psalm is a parable that will speak of things of old, things that are known, and things the listeners' fathers have told them. Asaph continues by saying he does not intend to hide the things in the psalm from their children but that he intends to tell the coming generation of the glorious deeds of the Lord and what He has done (Psalm 78:1-4). The purpose of the psalm is the establishment of a testimony in Jacob and the appointment of law in Israel they are to teach their children (Psalm 78:5). This is so the next generation might have their hope in God, not forgetting His works, and instead being obedient to His commandments (Psalm 78:6-7). Asaph desires that the next generation not be stubborn and rebellious but a generation that is steadfast in heart and faithful to God (Psalm 78:8).

 

1)      God’s wonders and deliverances of the past – Opening up the Red Sea so the Israelites could pass through, and the army of Egypt drown (Psalm 78:13). God miraculously led the people of Israel with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night (Psalm 78:14). God made water come out of a rock like a river (Psalm 78:16). God also provided manna from heaven and meat when they craved it (Psalm 78:23-29). Asaph also reminds them of what God did in Egypt to cause Pharaoh to let them go (Psalm 78:43-55).

2)      Rebellion and its consequences – Despite the miraculous wonders of God done on their behalf, the people of Israel still rebelled against God. They did not keep God’s covenant and refused to keep God’s commandments (Psalm 78:10). They forgot God’s works and the wonders He had shown them (Psalm 78:11). God was merciful and gracious towards His people but finally reached a point where their continued disobedience provoked him to anger and found themselves subjected to His wrath (Psalm 78:56-66).

3)      An eternal upright shepherd – God promises Israel an upright shepherd, David, a shepherd boy who will shepherd Israel as their king with an upright heart and skillful hand (Psalm 78:70-72). David’s kingdom is not like other earthly kingdoms for it is an eternal kingdom Through Jesus Christ (1 Kings 2:45; Luke 1:26-33).

 

Asaph has a concern about Israel not passing on their Godly heritage, a heritage of the glorious deeds of the Lord and the wonders God has done for His people. The purpose of passing on a Godly heritage is so the next generation can set their hope in God from knowing what God has done in the past so they can be obedient and have hope in God to take care of them (Psalm 78:5-7). This is not a new thing, but Asaph is reminding them of God’s instructions to them in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. Training a child in the way he or she should go remains with them even when they are old (Proverbs 22:6). Asaph is providing a history lesson in a psalm Israel can use to remind children of their Godly heritage, the consequences of rebellion against God, and the mercy of God.

 

Jesus reminded His disciples not to hinder children from coming to Him, reminding them that the kingdom of heaven belongs to them (Matthew 19:14). The future of the Church is not in its methods or programs but in its ability to pass on a Godly heritage and values to the next generation. This is not to downplay churches having children’s and youth ministry programs, but the Church must ensure the purpose of these programs is the passing on of a Godly heritage through teaching from the Word of God and not to segregate children from adults, so they are not a distraction. Parents also have a responsibility and must ensure they train their children in the ways of the Lord both by the example of their lives, having family prayer and Bible reading, and regular attendance in Church and serving in the Church. Parental responsibility is crucial for churches may have children once or twice a week but those in public school have exposure to secular values five days a week. Without parental passing on of a godly heritage, children have greater exposure to secular values than Godly values. As parents, we must repent of our failure to pass on our Godly values to our children before we lose the next generation.

 

If you are reading this and do not yet have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed and are a parent, I encourage you to pass on the Godly heritage you just received by finding a local Church teaching the Word of God and bringing your children along, so they have exposure to Godly values. I also encourage parents that just prayed to study the Word of God to learn of their Godly heritage so they can pass it on to their Children. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post. 

Unified by the Love of God.

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11

 

1 Corinthians 6:1-2

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? ² Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

(ESV)

 

A divided world full of hatred needs an infusion of love but is looking for love in all the wrong places. Government is not the answer for unification by the government requires one side forcing their values on others through the force of law causing more hatred and division instead of love and unification. Unification around issues also provides little resolution as proponents for each issue usually end up fighting over limited resources needed to promote their issue, leading to further divisiveness and hatred. The Church has the answer to the divisiveness and hatred in the world if it follows Jesus’ commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35) but as we will see in 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, can become divided and hateful if it does not obey this command.

 

Paul had heard more disturbing news regarding the Church in Corinth. When one of them has a grievance against another in the Church, they go to the law and the secular courts instead of resolving grievances among themselves (1 Corinthians 6:1). What disturbs Paul is that the saints are destined to judge the world yet appear incompetent to judge trivial grievances among themselves (1 Corinthians 6:2). Once again the believers in Corinth are showing immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). The saints will also judge angels, a calling to judge matters beyond this life, and cannot yet judge grievances between each other and take them to secular courts with no standing in the Church (1 Corinthians 6:3-4).

 

This inability to judge is a shame to the Church indicating that there is nobody in the Church wise enough to settle disputes within the Church (1 Corinthians 6:5). Instead of acquiring the wisdom to judge grievances within the Church, members of the Church go to secular courts, publicly displaying divisions in the Church, and a lack of love for one another (1 Corinthians 6:6). This also disturbs Paul for it illustrates disobedience to the new commandment of Jesus in John 13:34-35. To have these lawsuits at all is a defeat for the Church with members of the Church wronging and defrauding each other (1 Corinthians 6:7-8).

 

Paul then reminds the Corinthians that the unrighteous, from whom they seek resolution of grievances, will not inherit the kingdom of God, and not to be deceived (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). Paul concludes this part of his letter by reminding the Corinthians that they too were once unrighteous but have received justification by the blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:11). The Corinthians are reverting to the flesh when it comes to grievance resolution instead of faith in God to provide wisdom for resolution within the Church.

 

Jesus gave the Church a new commandment, to love one another, and also taught that it was the believers' love for one another that would let the world know they are disciples of Christ (John 13:34-35). This is why it concerned Paul when he heard the Corinthians were settling grievances with each other in secular courts, putting on public display the lack of unity in the Church. Paul knew the mission of the Church was to be witnesses for Christ to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8), but with the inability to settle grievances among themselves the Church is no different from the world. Add to this the fact that the saints will judge the world and angels, but appears unable to judge trivial cases, the Church lacks the wisdom to manage grievances among each other.

 

A hate-filled and divided world seeks some way to unify. Some seek unification through government but only find more divisiveness between political parties and even within political parties. Some seek unification by rallying around an issue like the environment, LGBTQ, or Critical Race Theory (CRT), only to discover difficulty getting people to rally around their cause resulting in more divisiveness. Some even resort to fear tactics to bring people into agreement only to discover some do not succumb to fear, viewing it as not from God or a trap (Proverbs 29:25; 2 Timothy 1:7).

 

God loves the entire world because he sent His Son, Jesus, with anyone choosing to believe in Him receiving eternal life (John 3:16). Jesus said that if people lifted Him up, He would draw people unto him (John 12:32). Jesus also gave a new commandment to his followers, a commandment that they were to love each other with the love with which He loved them (John 13:34-35). It is this love the Church is to rally behind and what a hate-filled world needs to see from the Church, and not a Church divided by internal grievances.

 

If you are reading this post and are living in this hate-filled world without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

If you just prayed with me, you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the one that loved you so much He left heaven, came to this corrupt and evil world, and died for your sins, giving you eternal life. I urge you to find a Church teaching from the Bible so your relationship with Jesus can grow stronger and closer. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.