Biblical stories warn as well as inspire
Daily Scripture
1 Corinthians 10:1-12
1 Brothers and sisters, I want you to be sure of the fact that our ancestors were all under the cloud and they all went through the sea. 2 All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ. 5 However, God was unhappy with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness. 6 These things were examples for us, so we won’t crave evil things like they did. 7 Don’t worship false gods like some of them did, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink and they got up to play [Exodus 32:6]. 8 Let’s not practice sexual immorality, like some of them did, and twenty-three thousand died in one day. 9 Let’s not test Christ, like some of them did, and were killed by the snakes. 10 Let’s not grumble, like some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer. 11 These things happened to them as an example and were written as a warning for us to whom the end of time has come. 12 So those who think they are standing need to watch out or else they may fall.
Daily Reflection & Prayer
The apostle Paul was explicitly talking about temptation, notably the temptation to go back to serving false gods (1 Corinthians 10:14). Israel fell into that trap in the desert—Paul probably referred to the grim story in Numbers 25:1-9. That temptation was not “long ago” for the Corinthian Christians but a live issue they faced. Paul urgently wanted his converts to learn from the Scripture that no temptation could force them to abandon their devotion to God.
- Temptations to worship pagan gods abounded in Corinth. Many business deals and relationships came about at feasts honoring pagan idols, and social status often came from attending such feasts. “Priestesses of Aphrodite” (i.e. prostitutes) had many clients. What powers and pressures today can push you to compromise, abandon or hide your commitment to Christ? Can any of them leave you with no choice but to give up your faith?
- “There were those in the church in Corinth who felt that the fact that they had been baptized and had partaken of the Lord’s Supper made them immune to the temptations of idol worship…. We cannot trust in religious ceremony that does not usher us into a different kind of life.” * Have you ever hoped that your church attendance, your service to others or your giving made you spiritually “immune”? Ask God to “nudge” you inwardly if you need to heed verse 12’s warning in some part of life: “Those who think they are standing need to watch out or else they may fall.”
Prayer
O Lord, I want to excuse myself when I’ve wandered off your path, to say, “I had no choice—I had to do it.” Remind me that that’s never true and keep me living in ways that respond to your principles. Amen.
GPS Insights
Lucia Eshleman
Lucia Eshleman served as an intern with Resurrection Students and Kids last summer. She has loved growing up in Resurrection and was elated to be a part of helping other kids grow up in a loving church environment. She is a student at the University of Arizona this year!
In today’s world, there are lots of pressures that can challenge our commitment to Christ. Social acceptance, career advancement, and even relationships can tempt us to compromise our values. The desire to fit in with societal norms, especially in environments that are indifferent or even hostile to Christian beliefs, can lead us to downplay our faith. For example, sometimes I see things done in the name of God that make me weary of people assuming that because I also believe in God that I agree with what is being done which makes me insecure about telling people my religion.
While these pressures can be overwhelming, the truth is that they do not leave us without choice. Paul’s message in 1 Corinthians 10 is, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (verse 13). This assures us that no matter how powerful the temptation or pressure, God always provides a way for us to choose to remain faithful.
It’s easy for me to fall into the trap of believing that outward religious practices will make me spiritually secure. Attending church, serving others, and giving are all vital aspects of a Christian life, but they are not substitutes for a genuine, transformative relationship God. At times, I’ve found myself feeling reassured by these activities, thinking that they somehow make me immune to any spiritual danger. The reality is that while those actions are important, being Christian is not just a checklist and going to church on Sunday is not an excuse to disregard that we all need to treat others and ourselves the way God intended, with kindness and grace.
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Common English Bible ©2011. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
References
* Kenneth W. Chafin, The Preacher’s Commentary Series, Volume 30: 1, 2 Corinthians. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1985, p. 120-121.
