1 Corinthians 10 reminds me that everyone is dealing with a personal challenge. We tend to think that some people have it made, as if they do not have a care in the world. That is almost never true. Today’s lesson is about recognizing everyone has unseen burdens. The apostle Paul continues his letter to the prosperous church in Corinth with a history lesson. He begins: “our ancestors were all under the cloud and… they all passed through the sea.” He is referencing Israel’s exodus from Egypt under the authority and protection of Almighty God. It is interesting that this church was primarily Gentile converts, yet Paul considers them to be descendants of Israel. Christians today likewise exist because of Israel. He continues: “They were all baptized into Moses.” The Law was given through Moses to God’s people. The generation that left Egypt grumbled and complained; rebelling against God. Yet, God continued to supply all of their needs. During their time of desperation, God told Moses to speak to the rock to demonstrate salvation through faith. But Moses struck the rock in anger. God mercifully provided water for His people: “they drank from the spiritual rock… and that rock was Christ.” They lived, but were not changed. That generation did not enter the Promised Land. Paul explains that these things were written “as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things.” Notice that Paul’s focus is on each of us individually monitoring our own heart.
I believe anything that separates us from God, keeping us wandering in the wilderness is evil. Paul continues: “Do not be idolaters.” Few today would put that near the top of their list of modern-day evils. Yet we see ego-driven leaders invent new enemies, and then they offer themselves as the solution. These manipulators use anger as a tool to foment division and devotion. Next, Paul cautions against “sexual immorality”. We cannot quench our spiritual thirst through physical pleasure. That loveless path will not satisfy. Paul links two more warnings: “We should not test Christ.” and “do not grumble”. He references Numbers 21, wherein the people complain about God’s daily provision while they moved further away from the Promised Land. In our prosperity, gratitude has been replaced by outrage. God is blamed for the consequences of rejecting His Word. Paul reminds us: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind.” The more we focus on discontentment, the harder it is to live with thankfulness. My friend, our hope is not in mankind: “God is faithful.”
Paul closes with the believer’s role in society. The worldwide body of believers are united by the blood of Christ and His resurrection. We are individuals bound together by God’s grace: “we, who are many, are one body.” Believers today are no longer under the Law. God’s Holy Spirit is freely given to all who ask in faith. Paul instructs that Christian liberty means we are to use our freedom to lift others up so they too may experience peace with God. The Corinthians argued that they had their rights! Paul taught that we should use our liberty to edify those around us: “not everything is beneficial… not everything is constructive.” Rights without responsibility is anarchy. Rather than seek our own satisfaction, first seek “the good of others.” Finally, he notes that we cannot know someone else’s motivation. We can watch their actions over time. We are to honor Christ with our words and actions: “whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” That may come with criticism. Paul adds a requirement to insure the most vulnerable are protected: “Do not cause anyone to stumble.” He concludes with an eternal perspective: “I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.” May the church be a place where every struggling soul can find healing.