HUSBANDS, WIVES AND THE “IMPREGNABLE ROCK”
Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Bible is featured in front of the Temple of Apollo in ancient Corinth. My son put it there. I think he had the right idea. The ancient temples are in ruins, but as Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words will by no means pass away” Matthew 24:35.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 7:3 responding
Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.
The first verse of today’s reading tells us that 1st Corinthians is the answer to a letter from believers in the church there. Paul is responding, not dogmatically, not claiming every word is from God, but as a caring counselor. We may want to reread verses 6,12, 25, and 40. Notice statements such as, “I say this as a concession,” and, “But to the rest I, not the Lord say:” “Now concerning virgins: I have no commandment from the Lord.” “I think I also have the Spirit of God.” This letter is “The Word of God,” not in the sense that God spoke directly here, but in the sense that it is an accurate record of Paul’s best advice as the one who had led many of these very people to Christ in the first place. In the city of Corinth there were approximately 800,000 precious souls. Many of them may have messed up in their marriages. Those tabloids with horror stories of messed up marriages found at the checkout counter would’ve had big sales there. To all, Jesus says, “Come to Me” (Matthew 11:25-30).
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Jesus, I come to You, as the old invitation song says, “Without one plea but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that Thou bidst me come to Thee. O Lamb of God, I come.” I’d love to hear those words sung again (click here). Help me to pay attention to Paul’s advice, even if he does not claim it’s directly from You. Help me to listen carefully to my Pastor also. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I must not make the mistake of thinking all Paul writes is in the personal thoughts category. Almost all he writes is distilled from the Word of God Himself in the book that Paul knows so well, the scrolls of his Hebrew Bible. Paul was educated in the most prestigious rabbinical school of his time. 99.9 % of the time he writes with the full apostolic authority of God, Himself. No doubt he had memorized huge portions of God’s Word. Paul’s main teacher was Gamaliel, grandson of Hillel. Hillel is, to this day, perhaps the most respected teacher in all of Judaism.
Some may remember that after I stepped aside as leader of the Crossroads ministry, I was given the title by the Board, “Minister of Social Concerns.” Paul was obviously carrying the “Social Concerns” portfolio here in chapter 7. In this role, I’ve participated in debates, appeared before government committees, etc. etc. I’ve also sought to encourage the strengthening of Canada’s social safety net. I’ve tried to stay above politics and concentrate on the moral principles that should guide us to a better, more caring society. I’ve tried to avoid stepping into the quicksand of situational ethics, keeping my feet firmly planted on what the former British P.M. Gladstone (who negotiated with Canadians on our non-violent separation from Great Britain) called, “The impregnable Rock of Holy Scripture.” In fact, Gladstone sponsored three tours of his country by the American Evangelist D.L.Moody. Our current P.M. has established an Ambassadorial position to those who are being persecuted for their religious faith. Congratulations to Canada’s government.
Yours from someone who aims at 100 words, but rarely succeeds,
David
Ruins and pieces of pillars can be seen at the Temple of Apollo in old Corinth.
Hi David
I really enjoy your comments these are a large part of our morning devotions.
Thank you for your gift of sharing God’s love.
Living in and for our Saviour.
Harold.
Amen, David, amen!
The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve… —Matthew 20:28
Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “…ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. Paul said, “I know how to be abased…” (Philippians 4:12). Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another.
Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man…” (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake.
February 23, My Utmost For His Highest, Oswald Chambers
Continuous feed of hymns by Carroll Roberson…. enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g4X_dUS6H8Q
Amen
Lianne Hogg
I like the idea of the bible in front of the ruined temple, interesting the BIG ROCK in front in the second picture. Thank you Reynold Mainse for these creations in picture form.
Thank you Rev. David for your comments, and teachings, much appreciated.
The Hymn “Just as I am” was the first one I heard and learned when I first came to life in Jesus Christ My Lord. Thank you, it always ministers to my heart and soul.
Love the pic of our bible, God’s true Word, with the ruins. You must be so happy with your children Rev. M.
I believe I can sanctify my husband. My work is cut out for me but with the greatest help in the world, it can be done.
Found this hymn/song sung by a group of young men who hit every note right on!
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel – BYU Vocal Point: http://youtu.be/AdR79P-2ewo
Blessings fellow saints.
I read your blog every day.
The pictures you post are amazing. Your son is a great photographer.
I always wonder how the early people could cut huge rocks & pillars & make beautiful buildings in the mountainside. (without the modern tools we know of)
Thanks for all your comments & dedication.
Gloria
I contacted some sponsors regarding the Play I attended (see previous blog) 2 sponsors are going to talk to the theatre company about using God’s Name in Vain….I am going to write a note to the company also, and 3 other sponsors more or less say, “we just help with the advertising, we don’t control what is said in a play” to that I replied “that’s true, but it speaks volumes for your business, if you don’t value God, I feel that is very sad” and the reply was “that is your opinion” and I replied “yes, it is my opinion but if I heard anyone speak ill of your business I would put a stop to the talk and remind the customer to speak directly to the manager/owner if they had a problem with your business and not to speak behind your back and speak negative comments” I also replied “I don’t even know you, but I value you enough to speak up” and the comment was “well, thanks for your call” Lord help us to forgive those who use your Name in Vain; forgive our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us In Jesus Name I Pray AMEN