“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
- 1 Corinthians 15:56-58 (NIV)

I think it’s great that there is a resurrection of the dead. Throughout chapter 15 Paul reasons that without the resurrection of the dead, Christians are “to be pitied more than all men” (v. 19). It is because of the resurrection of the dead that we can be joyful in life, since if there is no life after death, we might as well waste away our time and life. Or, as Scripture puts it, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die” (Isaiah 22:13, 1 Corinthians 15:32).

Since we have this hope for eternity, Christians have a hope that carries them through their lives here on Earth. Without this hope, there isn’t any reason to study hard, make good grades, get a degree, make money, or anything like that – none of that stuff satisfies, and if we can’t look forward to something better in the future, we should just reduce ourselves to animals, only satisfying our carnal desires. Although it can be argued that working to leave a legacy behind in this world, or to improve society as a whole, is a worthy reason to do good, I disagree. Humans as we know them today have been around for maybe 10,000 years. Let’s assume macroevolution works (it doesn’t). This assumes the age of the universe is billions of years old, and so the amount of time humans have been around is incredibly small. Now, extrapolate that to the future, when humans may die out because of disease, natural disaster, etc., etc. (it seems like the universe is out to kill us all). What good is society 10 million years from now? Will anyone remember someone’s deeds on that time scale? Will anyone care about it? Probably not. I’m not exactly sure what I was trying to prove – I don’t think I was going for anything, but I’m merely pointing out that the improvement of the human race as a whole should not provide adequate fulfillment for those people who desire for significance.

So then, as Christians, who have this greater hope and joy through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, every activity should be with purpose and significance. This involves every activity of our life: whether we’re sleeping, going to class, doing homework, playing video games, hanging out with friends, serving others, we ought to put our whole selves into the work. This glorifies God, and this is the worship that He desires from our lives.

“Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophesy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, ‘God is really among you!’”
- 1 Corinthians 14:22-25 (NIV)

This passage has confused me for a while. It seems paradoxical: tongues are a sign for the unbelievers, but if an unbeliever sees believers speaking in tongues, they will say that the believers are out of their mind. Yet prophesy is for the believers, and if an unbeliever sees believers prophesying, they will be convicted of their sin and worship God. Perhaps it is like what happened at Pentecost – the Holy Spirit indwelt in the hearts of believers, and they were filled with the Spirit. When the Spirit of God filled them, they began to speak in tongues (Acts 2:4). The unbelievers did not understand what happened, but Peter, prompted by God, used the opportunity to share the gospel with the everyone.

Or maybe it’s because tongues are a sign of being baptized in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2, Acts 19:5-6). I want to stress the importance of it being a sign, not the sign, as there are many accounts in Acts where the Holy Spirit came upon new believers and they did not receive the gift of tongues. Paul writes in the verses prior to the above passage that the gift of tongues is a great thing, but without translation it is mostly for personal edification, and should be minimized if it will not edify the church. Perhaps this is what Paul meant when he was talking about unbelievers seeing everyone speak in tongues and thinking that all believers are crazy.

On the other hand, prophesy seems to be better for strengthening the church. While tongues glorify God as much as prophesy does, the church as a whole is more edified through prophesy. Paul writes that speaks in tongues more than any of the Corinthian church, but he would rather “speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue” (1 Corinthians 14:18-19). Perhaps it is because of this edification and strengthening of the Church that Paul would say that unbelievers would be convicted of their sin and be judged by all and then worship God. A church that is unfied under Christ is a powerful witness to non-Christians. So then, while both tongues and prophesy come through those who are filled with the Holy Spirit, prophesy, which edifies the body of Christ, can convince unbelievers to worship God.

Now, to the tricky issue: Does this apply to us today? After all, church unity is great and everything, but if tongues and prophesy is not relevant to our lives today, what else should we be putting into practice in our lives? Well, for that you will have to wait for another day, since it’s another huge topic.

Until then!

Alright everyone, I didn’t get one up on Sunday (and actually this is really early Monday morning too, so this should count as Sunday’s post). The sermon was awesome again. Ronnie was speaking about Noah’s faith of work, and what really stuck out to me was that we can’t have a working faith until we have a worshiping faith and we’re walking in faith (Abel and Enoch). Too often we spend time trying to find ways to serve God and stay busy doing things: sharing the Gospel, discipling people, etc. Not that these things are wrong, but I think that sometimes the motivation is wrong. I caught myself doing that earlier this year. While I wanted to serve and do all these things, I was doing them more for the sake of looking like a super-Christian, rather than glorifying God. It seems like Ronnie was saying that if we don’t get our foundation laid in worship and our personal relationship with God, the actions we do are totally worthless. So while I’m still going to work on having a “working” faith, I’m also going to make sure my life is first and foremost a life that worships God, and that I’m consistently and daily walking with Him.

Okay, since I didn’t get a chance to post yesterday, here’s yesterday’s super long post.

“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way.”
– 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NIV)

The gifts of the Spirit seem to be a major controversial issue in the church these days. While it’s not really a “salvation issue,” different churches have taken different views of what Paul means by these verses, and the role of the Holy Spirit in contemporary times.

For some believers, the Holy Spirit’s work looks different now than it did in the time of Paul and the apostles. Because the gospel was being written and the Christian church being founded, it was appropriate for the Holy Spirit to confirm the gospel message with miraculous signs and wonders. Now that the Bible is written, and Christ’s church is established, the Holy Spirit’s role lies more in the realm of drawing non-Christians to Himself and illuminating Scripture to Christians. While it is undisputed that miracles still take place, they are less common and, in some respects, shouldn’t be expected.

For other believers, the Holy Spirit is still as active today as He was 2,000 years ago. Yes, He convicts non-Christians of sin, illuminates Scripture to believers, but He still acts in other bold and mighty ways in the present. These believers claim that Scripture confirms the Holy Spirit’s movement now as it was before, and that we should be relentless in pursuing the Spirit’s gifts, especially those not commonly seen now (prophesy, tongues, words of knowledge, healing, etc.). On the extreme end, these believers say that the (dare I say it?) charismatic life we live as Christians out to be rich and full of emotion, often to the point where emotional responses are taken to be leadings of the Spirit.

To me, the above passage of Scripture seems to include both sides. Earlier in that chapter (v. 11), Paul writes that all of the gifts are “the work of the one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.” So obviously these spiritual gifts are given out according to God’s wisdom, which is perfect in every way. Next, immediately following this list, Paul emphasizes that the church is a body, made up of many parts. The way I see it, the body of Christ has much room for these different views, so long as they all hold to Scripture. The last thing I want to do is to sound liberal here, because I’m not. God is absolute – His Word is unbreakable (John 10:35), and what is written in Scripture is the truth. However, some people are afraid to open up to the Holy Spirit’s power because they (I apologize for this phrase) “lack the faith” to believe that the Holy Spirit can do mighty things. I would venture to say that most of the Christians I know who are wary of the Charismatic movement actually live a fairly charismatic life. They live by faith, in total dependence on God to provide, and look to God as the source of joy, love, and life. Unfortunately, they aren’t comfortable with asking God to give them the gifts Paul listed throughout his epistles. We’ve been drilled to test the spirits so much to the point where we would rather rely on formulas, clever illustrations, and workshop exercises to live out our lives than be totally open to the Holy Spirit. When the gospel is shared, the four Spiritual Laws are taken out, or the Bridge illustration is given. When we say we want to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:18-20), we look at the Wheel illustration or the Hand illustration and use mini courses like “One on one with God” and the like. Now, these are great tools and they encapsulate Scripture’s truths very well, but that’s the heart of the issue: they encapsulate Scripture. No longer should we be concerned about what God wants to teach us, or what God wants us to teach others – it’s all handed down in a nice cookie-cutter formula. Even our worship of God – which, by the way, is our primary purpose for living, not to make disciples or to share Christ with others – has become compartmentalized into our comfortable, manageable form of Christianity. Worship is now that time right before the speaker where we sing nice songs, so that we can prepare our hearts for the real stuff, the Scripture preached by the preacher. What a sad attitude for Christians to have.

Worship is our life, and the Holy Spirit enables us to worship, empowers us to worship, and leads us in our worship. Unless our lives are completely surrendered to Him – in action, in attitude, in thought, and in heart – we won’t experience the true power of the Holy Spirit drawing us closer to the Father. Being with God is an experience – it’s not an abstract philosophical ideal that we cling to with our minds. I’ve heard it said numerous times that the truth should evoke an emotional response, and that emotions do not always lead us to the truth. There is a great deal of truth to that. Paul writes that God’s kindness leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). David, a passionate man of God, always focuses on God’s truth in his writings, and that regardless of his emotions at the time, God’s truth brings about peace and joy. Just read any of his psalms.

Many people have told me that whenever God shows them something really cool, or when they truly feel like they’re in the presence of God, they get goose bumps and a warm chill-type feeling goes all through their bodies. I’ve heard it affectionately called “Jesus bumps.” I believe there is a great deal of truth to that. While Scripture is fairly silent at what it feels like when the Holy Spirit “fills [your] heart with gladness,” or being in the presence of Almighty God, it is quite apparent that God’s Spirit is omnipotent, and that we ought to be “struggling with all His energy” (Colossians 1:29). I, too, have experienced this joyful sensation, which brings with it supernatural peace and joy. It is no doubt God’s Spirit reminding us that He’s always near and inside of us. It is because of this Power that is now indwelt in us that we have the authority to proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, Savior, and treasure of our lives. It is because of this power that is now indwelt in us that we ought to lay hands on the sick and pray for them. It is because of this power that is now indwelt in us that we shouldn’t be afraid to let God speak through us, though we ourselves are unworthy vessels.

Whew. Okay, this is an incredibly long post. And I ended it a bit abruptly. But there’s so much more on God’s Spirit that I could say. But I’ve been at it for a good hour or so, and there’s plenty more Scripture for future days. So, until next time, don’t fall up stairs – you might rip your pants!

Ah yes, the obligatory relationship post – trust me, unless it comes up again between 1 Corinthians and Revelation, I probably won’t rant on it again. Even then, I’m probably going to post on something more “spiritual.”

“I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs – how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world – how he can please his wife – and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world – how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.”
- 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NIV)

I decided that I couldn’t skip through this part, since this topic seems to have come up quite a bit in the past few weeks. For a long time I’ve struggled with this passage, since Paul is basically saying that those who are married should stay married, and those who aren’t should stay unmarried. I kept thinking, if we do that, eventually the human race would die off (well, the Christians anyways). So I started thinking about this some more. God created us for relationship – with Him, with others. Given the cultural background and state of the Corinthian church, it’s more than likely that marriage, to them, was very similar to the way our society views marriage – a legal binding that allows each person to satisfy his or her own desires. Though I make this a blanket statement, obviously some people hold marriage to a higher standard than others. So while being single is the optimal situation if we want to be fully devoted to God, being married isn’t a horrible thing either. I find myself wavering between the two. Since I’m not married and aren’t in a position to be considering marriage, my hope and desire to one day marry is juxtaposed with my desire to serve God wholeheartedly. In some ways, it makes me feel like my desire for marriage is less than what God wants for me.

Of course, this isn’t true. God realized that living life alone isn’t easy (Genesis 2:18). Paul even concedes that this is very difficult – celibacy is a gift from God (1 Corinthians 7:7). So my hope and desire to marry shouldn’t conflict with my desire to seek God. Since His plans are perfect and for my good (Romans 8:28), I should be content regardless of where I am. Easier said than done. But I find that the more I seek God, the less I am likely to worry about the temporal things of this world. Even relationships will be worked out according to God’s timing.

So, for all those who are trying to figure out what the heck I’m saying, too bad. I make no sense on most days, especially when I’m thinking about relationships. It’s why I’m trying not to as much anymore. But personally, I don’t think that we should “kiss dating goodbye,” nor should we be “casually courting” people. When the right time comes, it comes fast – I’m seeing it in so many of my friends’ lives, it’s not even funny. So I think that I’ll be alright, single, or dating, ‘cause God’s got it all figured out. Now all I have to do is wait for that e-mail He’s going to send me to show up in my inbox…