Topic: Source of the Problems in First Corinthians: Believers not living like a Christian
Paul comes to Corinth during his second missionary journey (Acts 18). Corinth was a major city of commerce due to its seaports and a city of immorality due to the worship of Aphrodite, the goddess of love. The city was proud of its culture and of learning (knowledge) and yet was totally corrupt. It was so corrupt that the actor who played the part of a drunk or immoral person in a Greek drama was known as a Corinthian.
Paul has been gone for some time and in this first letter he gives counsel and instruction on important issues of Christian faith and Christian conduct. At the time of Paul’s writing, the young church has run into tremendous difficulties and Paul sets out to correct their errors.
As we journey through Paul’s letter one will uncover the cause of the tremendous confusion that was hindering this church. The root of confusion is the focus of chapters one through four, which was believers not living like saints. When believers fail to conduct themselves according to their calling in Christ, tremendous confusion enters the life of the believer.
The struggle for us will always be between geographical location vs. spiritual position. The geographical location is where you live, work, go for recreation, and you get the idea. This is under the influence of Satan. Our physical world belongs to Satan, I John 5:19, “…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” Paul will write to the church in Corinth that although they live in a geographical location that belongs to Satan their actions are to reflect their spiritual position in Christ. First Corinthains 1:2, “To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.”
The spiritual position is a calling by God and your “yes,” to Him transforms your life.
- This spiritual position changes the atmosphere of your geographical position.
- This spiritual position changes the environment of your geographical position
- The spiritual position calls believers to live differently than others in the same geographical location.
Follow this illustration: Walking down a hot dusty road. A nice big air-conditioned motor home stops and invites you in. Inside you sit in a comfortable chair with cold air blowing on you.
- Geographically you are still on the same dusty road.
- Spiritually you are in an air-conditioned motor home.
When you surrender (say Yes) to God’s calling you are saved but you are still in the same geographical position.
Paul’s main point for the entire letter is this: Since you are now saints by Christ calling, conduct yourself according to your new position regardless of the geographical location. God intends for saints to demonstrate their position of sainthood in a location that is influenced by Satan.
See you Sunday,
Dr. Scott Kallem