Convinced, Judged and Opened

 

Convinced, Judged and Opened

1 Corinthians 14: ²⁰ Do not be like children in your thinking, my friends; be children so far as evil is concerned, but be grown up in your thinking. ²¹ In the Scriptures it is written,

 

“By means of people speaking strange languages
    I will speak to my people, says the Lord.
I will speak through lips of foreigners,
    but even then my people will not listen to me.”

 

²² So then, the gift of speaking in strange tongues is proof for unbelievers, not for believers, while the gift of proclaiming God's message is proof for believers, not for unbelievers.

²³ If, then, the whole church meets together and everyone starts speaking in strange tongues—and if some ordinary people or unbelievers come in, won't they say that you are all crazy? ²⁴ But if everyone is proclaiming God's message when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear. They will be judged by all they hear, ²⁵ their secret thoughts will be brought into the open, and they will bow down and worship God, confessing, “Truly God is here among you!”

 

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Walking into a church, I noticed everyone was dressed nicely, the place was neat and clean and everyone had a smile on their face. It felt weird, almost like a group of aliens from another planet had taken over. They spoke to each other in Bible verses that I was unfamiliar with and made me stand up and introduce myself, as if I wasn’t already uncomfortable enough.

 

• I felt like I was on the outside of the group.
• I felt like I was not “clean” enough for this group.
• I felt like I was more of a burden than a willing participant so I left and never came back.

 

Paul concludes addressing the use of speaking in tongues. He mentions this gift is valuable, but can be disruptive to those who are not believers. He tries to explain the purpose of saying anything needs to be for GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to share my testimony which includes my sins.
• GOD wants me to be free to share how I am forgiven for all my sins.
• GOD wants me to want others to be free to see JESUS as the solution, versus HIM being the problem.

 

Making JESUS the problem is usually not done on purpose. I mean, well-meaning people, who may have gone through a lot, try to explain that JESUS is the answer to every problem, and HE is. But sometimes this group can forget they are “still” sinners who need guidance by the HOLY SPIRIT daily.

 

GOD wants me to see people different. It is not “us” who are believers versus “them” who are unbelievers. It is “us” who are all sinners. No one sin is greater than another and anyone who confesses their sins and believes that JESUS is the one and only forgiver, will be saved eternally. I am convinced I am a sinner, judged by my wrongs and open to saying JESUS forgave me for my past, current and future sins.

 

Challenge

 

• How do you think salvation should be spoken to someone you know who may not believe in JESUS?
• If you attend church regularly, what do you notice about testimonies?
• Will you take baby steps in telling people about your deepest sins so they will be willing to turn their life to JESUS today?

Self-Worth

Self-Worth

1 Corinthians 7: ¹⁷ Each of you should go on living according to the Lord's gift to you, and as you were when God called you. This is the rule I teach in all the churches. ¹⁸ If a circumcised man has accepted God's call, he should not try to remove the marks of circumcision; if an uncircumcised man has accepted God's call, he should not get circumcised. ¹⁹ For whether or not a man is circumcised means nothing; what matters is to obey God's commandments. ²⁰ Each of you should remain as you were when you accepted God's call. ²¹ Were you a slave when God called you? Well, never mind; but if you have a chance to become free, use it. ²² For a slave who has been called by the Lord is the Lord's free person; in the same way a free person who has been called by Christ is his slave. ²³ God bought you for a price; so do not become slaves of people. ²⁴ My friends, each of you should remain in fellowship with God in the same condition that you were when you were called.

 

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After reaching a certain level, I was kind of proud of “my” accomplishments. But it wasn’t enough. I wanted to be the top in the industry at this particular company. Unfortunately, I ran into others who did not have the same feeling and I found myself searching for a new career. I felt dejected and low. “How am I going to start over?” “Who will value ‘my’ opinion?” I felt ashamed to be unemployed.

 

• At one time my self-worth was based on “my” title.
• At one time I judged others based on “their” title.
• At one time I valued what humans called “successful” and I placed all my time and effort in becoming what they needed me to become.

 

Paul explains that GOD has given each human a gift to be used for HIS purpose. GOD calls each human to do a marvelous work for HIM. The war, however, is waged on humanity against using these gifts. Instead, humans withhold resources in exchange for large prices, thus instituting a form of voluntary slavery, meanwhile keeping people from speaking about JESUS daily.

 

• GOD wants me to be free to speak about JESUS daily.
• GOD wants me to add self-control where I used to be free to sin.
• GOD wants me to place my self-worth in HIM rather than what humans think of me.

 

Valuing what JESUS did enables me to never become a slave to humans. I am not saying quit your job, rather revisit the value placed on the job. When my total self-worth is on material items and titles, I can quickly become enslaved by these things and worry ensues.

 

Placing my self-worth in the valuable price JESUS paid grows precious dividends in HIS kingdom. HE freely gives me people HE cherishes and provides food for me to give to HIS sheep. I am grateful I am free to speak about JESUS and I am governed by the self-control HE wants me to have.

 

• Do you feel trapped?
• Do you want to be free?
• Will you accept the freedom GOD wants you to have while remaining in fellowship with HIM by using your gift for HIM today?

Valuing the Gift

 

Valuing the Gift

1 Corinthians 2: ¹³ So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit. ¹⁴ Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis. ¹⁵ Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him. ¹⁶ As the scripture says,

 

“Who knows the mind of the Lord?
    Who is able to give him advice?”

 

We, however, have the mind of Christ.

 

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As the expert spoke to me about the car, all I could hear was “Don’t do this and don’t do that” or “Do this and do that.” I just wanted the car. After driving it for a while. Stuff started going wrong. The engine began overheating and the oil light came on. It cost a lot to get it fixed. I did not value the gift of experience he was trying to impart on me.

 

• Many times I did not value words from a gifted person.
• Many times I did not value the gift of wisdom because I was impatient.
• Many times I did not value experience because I just wanted the thing “I” thought was valuable.

 

Paul speaks candidly about spiritual truths. These words are wasted on those who do not value JESUS, rather they focus on human wisdom. Such a person does not understand the words of the SPIRIT because those words can only be valued on a spiritual level. The SPIRIT provides gifts that can only be received by those who believe in JESUS, who gives the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

• GOD says that I am able to judge the value of everything because I believe in JESUS.
• GOD says that I am able to receive the gifts HE has for me because I believe in JESUS.
• GOD says that I am able to teach HIS words because I believe in JESUS.

 

Human wisdom looks at the Word of GOD as nonsense. I mean, GOD can be explained away by human observation. After a while, humans become blind and depend only on what can be seen. BUT GOD blesses those who place their faith in HIM, especially when it does not make sense.

 

“Who knows the mind of the LORD?” “Who is able to give HIM advice?” No one. I am grateful GOD has accepted me into HIS family, placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me and has given me the “mind of CHRIST” so I can receive the gifts of the SPIRIT.

 

1. Do you see all situations through your own wisdom or lusts?
2. Are you worried because of what you cannot see or control?
3. Will you quiet down and ask GOD to open your heart to HIS spiritual truths so the HOLY SPIRIT can enter and teach you gifts that are unimaginable today?

Valuable

Luke 14: ²⁵ Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, ²⁶ “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. ²⁷ And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— ²⁹ lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, ³⁰ saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish’? ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.

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“Where are they?” I fretted, flustered. With no way to get in touch with the missing DJ I felt “my” reputation melting away. Fortunately I had other, non-DJ related events planned so it wasn’t so bad. After an hour passed someone came to get me saying they had arrived. I was just about to go on stage to lead the step show, but alas, I had to go help the late DJ unload the car. “I wonder if I should pay him!” I was furious.

• There were times when I wanted to be in the spotlight.
• There were times when I wanted to be the center of attention.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of “my” life so everyone could see what “I” could do.

JESUS says some very blunt words about being HIS disciple. I believe HE is not breeding hatred when HE states “hate everyone, even yourself.” I believe JESUS is speaking about prioritizing “value” in people.

• GOD wants me to value JESUS over any and everything I can.
• GOD wants me to see JESUS as all of the answers to any of my problems.
• GOD wants me to place JESUS over everything in my life.

Life is given from GOD. “My” life is not really “mine” rather it is GOD’s to do as HE pleases. Sometimes the sin in me rages war at this setup. I mean why can’t GOD just do XYZ in “my” life and things would be better. These words usually stem from my blindness towards who is truly in control.

GOD tries to show me over and over that HIS way is better and sometimes I accept HIS loving way. But there are times when I feel sad and lonely and I raise a fist at GOD, angry at HIS methods. GOD forgives my selfish blind times and picks me up anyway. HE is my priority over all.

• Is your life, “your” life or GOD’s?
• Do you think other people should be acting different or should you?
• Can you give your life to GOD to do as HE pleases so HE can be glorified?
• Will you change your expectations of GOD and allow HIM to rule the day while you offer praise to HIM anyway?