1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 21-22, 31-33
So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it… You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?… So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
Today’s chapter is power-packed in that it is so pregnant with meaning that I wish I could use it to write out several devotionals but instead I chose parts that make a sense of the whole. Paul seems to be using the word caution all through this chapter and I hope you can also get a sense of it by reading the chapter. First he warns that we should not become idolaters, then about not sharing God with the God’s of this world and finally to be aware of our actions keeping our final goal in mind.
As I continue to walk with the Lord, one of my many battles I face is that I think I know and therefore I do. In our human minds, we like to take control of things and in the same manner, we like to believe we know something because of the length of time we have been associated or exposed to it. However, Paul warns us not to take the Lord for granted.
Temptation is real and while we are given only as much as we can take, we can fall into it if we don’t run away from its lure. Let’s constantly reflect our spiritual walk in the mirror of the cross and let’s not forget that it cost our Lord His own blood to buy us our eternal freedom!
In His Loving Service,
ServantBoy
Daily Christian Journal 
Vineet, you are right, what a power packed chapter this is. Seeing ourselves in the mirror of the cross. I was talking with a friend a couple of weeks ago, and I was discussing the examples that Jesus left for us, and how we should follow in His footsteps, and my friend said, “we can never be like Jesus” I agreed, but we are to use His example in the decisions we make. I like the mirror of the cross statement, it reminds me of Christs example to us. Blessings
Jim
Jim
Thanks as always for the encouragement and the support. I had issues with my mac charger and therefore was unable to access the net over the last few days. A dear friend helped me get some sort of a fix and I hope to be back to the task. Hope you and your loved ones are well and I continue to lift you and your family in prayer.
Vineet
Vineet,
Great look Vineet. And powerful devotion…And as you said those verses are real power packed…I especially love the verse..”So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Are we standing firm?? How careful we should be that we should not fall….Thank you Vineet
God Bless,
Rani John
Rani
Thank you for your kind and supportive comments. We are saved from the fall and in our pride, we should stay away from falling again.
Blessings,
Vineet
Vineet,
A good question. Is knowledge power? To be honest, there were times I thought knowing much put me at an advantage but the Lord made me understand that knowledge is only good when it is used for the good of another. Instead of striving for knowledge, we ought to strive for the fruits of the Holy Spirit which cannot be borne without pain and submission to the one who called us.
Yours are blessed words!
God bless you. Gladwell
Gladwell
Recently I have been reading some material on apologetics, a book by John Piper and considering studying the scriptures further and this chapter made me check my motives. Was I seeking knowledge and therefore power or was I seeking to know God in a more and meaningful way? Thank you for sharing your take on it.
Blessings,
Vineet