Our Conduct - Corinthians

First Corinthians deals with Christian conduct. After the usual greeting (1 Corinthians 1:1-3), Paul refers to the coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:7-8). Then he plunges right into the question of the failure of the church about which he had been told. The source of his information he gives us in 1 Corinthians 1:11 (People lost sight of God through Self-admiration, Self-will and Self-indulgence).

Party politics had entered into the church, dividing it into four parties, each trying to get the mastery (1 Corinthians 1:12). Jesus Christ is the only cure for division (1 Corinthians 1:13). Every eye, every heart, every spirit must be turned to one object – Jesus Christ, our personal Savior. If we lower the standard Christ has set, we give the wrong testimony to the world. You are an epistle open and read of all people.  Righteousness comes from God, but it must be shown in our daily walk.

The church should exclude the wrongdoer so as to prove that it does not condone sin (1 Corinthians 5:13). Discipline in the Church should always commence with mourning and sympathy, not anger or pride or revenge (1 Corinthians 5:2).

Christ has paid a great price to purchase us, and it is His purpose to make us like Himself (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  If our body have been redeemed by the Lord Jesus Christ, then we no longer belong to us, but to the One who purchased us with His precious blood “You were bought at a price”. God used to have a temple for His people; now He has a people for a temple.

In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul gives a careful account of the beginning of the Lord ’s Supper and then tells of its value. It was a symbol of His body, which was broken for them (1 Corinthians 10:16). It was a new covenant in His blood. It was a pledge of His coming again (1 Corinthians 11:26). We should be careful not to eat or drink in an unworthy manner. “A man ought to examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28) and never eat without self-critique and thankful love. And “For whenever you eat”, do it “in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:26). Christ wants us to remember Him. Think of Christ when you go to His table.

In 1 Corinthians 12, we see the gifts the Spirit gives to believers. In verses 1-3, he tells of the change that had come into the lives of these Corinthian Christians when they turned from worshiping dead idols to the living Christ. God gave gifts such as healing, miracles and tongues, we believe, for “sign” gifts (1 Corinthians 12:12), to prove to the world that Jesus is the true Messiah and that the apostles were divinely appointed. The way to use these gifts the Spirit gives is beautifully told in 1 Corinthians 13. This chapter is called the Hymn of Love. Gifts without Love are poor things.

Paul wrote his second epistle, to express his joy over the encouraging news of how his first Epistle had been received, and to define his apostleship. Paul tells us of some things that happened in his life that are revealed only in this letter.

• His escape from Damascus in a basket (2 Corinthians 11:32,33)
• His experience of being caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12: 1-4)
• His thorn in the flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7)
• His unusual suffering (2 Corinthians 11L23-27)

He told none of these until he was compelled to, to prove that if we wanted to boast, he had good reason.

Christ nowhere promises that a Christian will be free from suffering or sorrow, Rather do we hear that “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). Christ allows us to get into trouble that He may deliver us. He allowed Daniel to be put into the den of lions that He might pull him out. He allowed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to go into the fiery furnace that He might deliver them. He allowed Paul to be shipwrecked that He might save him. Our God is able to deliver.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Paul emphasizes that Corinthians might know themselves – test themselves to make sure of their faith. Do not depend on a mere profession of religion. Do not rely on church membership. Joining the church saves no one. Joining Christ saves us. Examine your standing.

We are taught as boys and girls not to be noisy or boisterous in the church, for it is the house in which we meet God. How much more important that we remember that our body is His dwelling place and that we should do nothing to grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30). Do not let your life be so near the edge of questionable things that someday you will slide off. If you fall, others will fall with you. Watch your testimony. Remember your life is an open letter. Christian lives are about the only religious books the world reads. They do not study God’s word, but they do study God’s people. This gives us a great opportunity for good, for we may lead people to Christ.