GROW UP
The stark rebuke on the Corinthian Church recorded in 1 Corinthians by the Apostle Paul is a strong reminder of our positions in Christ.
Converted and saved, the members of the Corinthian Church were once leading paganistic lifestyle which is so abounding in the culture in the City of Corinth. Instead of having a victorious transforming life – the Corinthian Church never let go of their past lifestyles and thinking, which so much of it, is of the flesh.
Evidence from the Scriptures shows that they were :
Divided amongst themselves, not united
(1 Cor 1:12, 3:1-6)
Having immoral lifestyles and even tolerating immorality (1 Cor 5:1-2)
Suing each other in lawsuits (1 Cor 6:1-5)
Lack self control (1 Cor 9:24-27)
Treating each other without Love (1 Cor 13)
In fact, the above is only the few examples of the many, which can be understood from 1 Corinthians.
What struck me most is the comments Paul made in 1 Cor 3: 1 – 4. He rebuked the Corinthians for being ‘carnal’, ‘babes in Christ’ and ‘behaving like mere men’ as they were allowing envy, strife and divisions to become rampant into the church!
‘And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.’ 1 Cor 3:1. Paul was telling them straight in the face that he can’t talk to them like an adult because they were childish, immature and never grew up. Despite receiving the Gospel of Christ, converting to Christianity, their hearts never grew, never transformed, never matured.
Are we like that? Somehow I do see evidences of such in us. Please read the following in Singlish : ‘Why they go out, never ask me along? I don’t friend them already’, ‘I don’t like this guy, better ask the rest don’t friend him.’ ‘Wah, you dao me, I dao you back’ , ‘I feel so sad, nobody love me, cos no one come and talk to me’.
Isn’t such thoughts and related type of thoughts immature? Isn’t it childish? If we can’t even think and handle things maturely, what makes us think we will be able to mature in Christ and even do great things for God? Jesus can only talk to us at our immature level and that’s about it.
If you think this message is for other people, think again, it’s for YOU. Settle yourself first.
Think back a bit, have we really matured since we accepted Jesus? Have we really pursued His heart and yearn, desire and strive to be more like Jesus? Have we really fallen in love with His Words?
Or are we still playing games and toys like small kids in the playground?
Let’s all grow up. Please.
Pastor G
20th April 2009
