Has CORINTH Entered YOUR Local Church Assembly?

[WISDOM]

Many of us Christians read our FATHER's Word daily (I might be stretching it a bit here!), yet don't take the time to get a better understanding of the Christian world at the time of the writing. When you or I do so it becomes rather surprising as to how much the world HASN'T changed much between now and then. Geographic and atmospheric changes have come about etremely noticeably, BUT unfortunately the hearts of professed Christian men/women have not changed at all! Particularly in the areas of morality, doctrinal and spiritual thinking.

Let's take a moment to look at the city of Corinth. It was the most important city in Greece, mainly because it was located on the most important travel route from North to South, and it was noted for commerce, culture, and idolatry. The Apostle Paul visited there on his second missionary journey, AFTER he had met with seeming failure in Athens (Act 18:1-17). When he left Corinth, the church was extremely gifted in spiritual things (1 Corinthians 1:4-7). However, the Corinthians were greatly tempted by the wickedness in their city. Hmmmmmmm.....sounds familiar, huh?

Paul traveled to Ephesus from Corinth, and according to Acts 19, he stayed in Ephesus three years, during which time he wrote the church at Corinth an explicit letter about fornication (1 Corinthians 5:9). Now, this letter WAS NOT preserved. The church at Corinth then wrote Paul a letter, asking him several questions about church doctrine and practice. In "1 Corinthians", Paul answers these questions and also rebukes them for their sins.

You can search up and down....in and out of the Bible, and you will find no other letter or "epistle" in the New Testament that deals so SPECIFICALLY with local church problems. There are no "perfect" christian church on this planet anywhere! You and I may think ours is the "one", but that changed once we arrived there! The fine Corinthian church, which was one of the treasures of Paul's labor, was decaying because the worldliness of the city had gotten into its midst....listen to what the HOLY SPIRIT speaks....It was alright for the church to be in Corinth, but it was spiritually fatal when Corinth got into the church! Big difference! Line up this thinking with your place of fellowship. Has the world system's "way of thinking" infiltrated YOUR church?

Great churches are ALWAYS destroyed FROM THE INSIDE, NOT THE OUTSIDE, and this church is an excellent example of this truth. The common wicked practices in Corinth had crept into the church. There were divisions among the members. Christians were going to court with Christians before heathen judges (instead of settling disputes within the church). Behavior at the communion table was disgraceful!! How many times today have YOU gone in and taken communion KNOWING you hate the brother or sister sitting in front of, across the aisle or even worse, RIGHT NEXT TO YOU??!! Hey, this finger is not pointing at you only, but also at myself. See, I've acted that way before also! Our FATHER knows, so there is no sense in lying about it! In addition, many of the Corinthian believers were drunk PRIOR to taking communion!!

But that's not all in Corinth.....women of the church DID NOT observe standards of modesty...hmmmmmm, how we dress says alot about us. Notice I did not say what to wear or what not to wear. But it appears that many of the women of Corinth did not maintain their dignity. Of course we don't have this problem today in YOUR or MY church, right?! In Corinth the church membership was arguing over marriage issues AND spiritual gifts.

Paul addressed the divisions ("some followed Paul, some Cephas....some Apollos......") AND (drum roll please) CLIQUES within the church. Nothing hurts the witness and effectiveness of a church like little "political parties". It does not matter whether or not you are Baptist, Methodist, Pentacostal, Lutheran, Holiness, Non-Denominational, etc...it happens in every church. Hopefully the "ringleader" IS NOT YOU!

What about known adultery/fornication going on in YOUR church? Ohhhhh, a subject we don't want to talk about. Well guess what? Our FATHER has a lot to say about it, so it must not be that "taboo" a topic. And yes, it DOES occur in the local assemblies, and has destroyed a many fellowships. In Corinth one of the men in the church was living in adultery with his step-mother. But listen....the worst thing WAS NOT that it had happened, but the church seemed to think little of it and made NO ATTEMPT TO CORRECT the situation (1 Corinthians 5:1-2). If you ever read this you'll see that Paul tells the Christians there to come together and exclude this man from their fellowship. They certainly weren't helping the man by ignoring and condoning what he was doing. EXCLUSION could also be the only way to keep the infection from "spreading" and affecting many others. Think about YOUR church you now attend. Does this go on and is known by you and others, yet you say, "I'm not getting involved". Let me ask you this....do YOU ever think about your fellow brothers/sisters in CHRIST who may become victims to this? Our FATHER's Word says, "You're in the world, but not of it".

What about marriage? Paul discussed this subject for the Christian. Notice what I said.....FOR THE CHRISTIAN. See...in Corinth, there were some in the church who tried to discourage marriage, while others said when one became a Christian, he should divorce his "pagan" mate. Paul was wise. He knew it would be hard to maintain normal family life in a place like Corinth (Modern-day USA, Europe, South America, Australia, etc) , but he wanted his fellow believers to try. And concerning being married to a "pagan", I love what he says in 1 Corinthians 7:16. Basically you are to stay with them IF they don't want divorce, and try to win them with a Christian lifestyle (not beating them over the head with a Bible!). Personally I feel that if a spouse is going through physical abuse you shouldn't stay in it.

Are YOU in a church where they argue or try to "outshine" one another through a display of the "Spiritual Gifts"? Well guess what? It didn't start with your church. Paul addressed this sharply to the Corinthian believers. From the beginning, divisions have occurred in the church over the meaning and use of gifts. As is often the case, in Corinth the dispute grew out of jealousy and pride. There was rivalry over the importance of various gifts, ESPECIALLY speaking in tongues. Paul reminded the Corinthians all gifts are from GOD, so there is no reason for one to be conceited about his/her gift. Unfortunately this has not changed in some areas of the Body of CHRIST today. Our FATHER gave the gifts to HIS church for specific reasons. Take a moment to read Ephesians 4:12.

What did you see? They're given for BUILDING UP BELIEVERS (not self).....STRENGTHENING THE MINISTRY (of which you and I are a part of)......and, EDIFYING THE CHURCH (the true church which is the spiritual blood bought believers who make up the BODY Of CHRIST on earth). Within your local assembly when considering the validity of ANY gift, it must be asked: "Does it do these three things?" Why? Because the gifts ARE NOT given to build up individuals BUT to build up the total Body of CHRIST! Keep this in mind....no matter what the spiritual gift or deed is, without LOVE (1 Corinthians 13) it is worthless.

One of the most beautiful things the HOLY SPIRIT has taught me through Paul's writings concerning my own local church is to continuously (and genuinely) express my deep love for all whom I fellowship with. Although some are carnal and selfish, our FATHER has commanded us to love them and encourage them to show their love for one another. The only way to kill church conflicts and problems is with the love the HOLY SPIRIT empowers us with. We are to be generous and forgiving to all who have wronged us, and granted, I know personally that this isn't always easy. Let's keep it real. Some people really can get on your last nerve, and almost make you forget that you're a Christian....ESPECIALLY some of your own brothers/sisters in CHRIST!! Hey, I'm just being honest and realistic here!! And many of you reading this know that I am telling the truth. We've learned how to "master" that little "plastic fake smile" whenever we want to hide our true feelings, haven't we??! This is why YOU and I have to depend upon a daily filling of the HOLY SPIRIT, so as NOT to get a filling of the world's way of thinking/doing.

You say it's too tough to act this way. Well listen, Paul had many difficulties and problems as he served our LORD/SAVIOUR. NOWHERE in the Bible are Christians promised we will be free from problems or sufferings. Sometimes you and I have to confront Christians friends or even leave a church. JESUS said in this world we would have tribulation (John 16:33). But our faith gets built up each time entrusting HIM to deliver us. Everything in Scripture must line up with how your church operates. But YOUR faith also gets built up in the same manner. (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Remember, our FATHER allowed JOSEPH to be sold into slavery, so HE could turn his dilemma into victory!

HE allowed DANIEL to be put into the lion's den that HE might deliver him!

HE allowed SHADRACH, MESHACH, and ABEDNEGO to be thrown into the fiery furnace that HE might deliver them!

HE allowed the Apostle PAUL to be shipwrecked that HE might save him!! (also read 2 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Our GOD is able to take care of us in the most terrible circumstances. Allow HIM to strengthen your faith, which in turn will allow YOU to strengthen your church and help all involved to avoid the mistakes made by the church at Corinth.

**2 Corinthians 13:14

[Only4Him777]

Wisdom,

I thank God for your post. You were very direct, yet spoke in love - edifying the Body. I hope that no one takes it as a personal attack because it may cause them to feel guilty. You are right, we have a fallen short and must continue to achieve to be as Christ like as we can.

What you have called out is a huge problem in our churches, though others may not want to accept it... it is there. The only way to bring light into the darkness is to expose the darkness.

If you are in a dark room long enough, your eyes adjust and you begin to think that there is enough light to be effective, while the darkness keeps growing. Like the frog in the kettle.

There is one thing that you said that I wonder if you meant it a different way...

Everything in Scripture must line up with how your church operates.

Did you mean that the way your church operates must line up with everything in scripture?

Again, thank you for your post... shedding light into the darkness, you are appreciated!

YSIC,

Alison :hug: :hug: :hug:

[traveller]

WISDOM Brother - you are a sight for sore eyes!! It's absolutely wonderful to see you here again! And I see that you're still listening to our Father.

Man-0-man - my day sure did brighten up!! WOOHOO!!!

[Snowdoove]

WISDOM~ Thank you for your post. It shows exactly how and what many churches are today.

What I would like to know is how does someone share with this type of church, that they are not complying to YHVH'S word?

To have this information is great, yet the ACTION of it would be GREATER.

Snowdoove

[ginakay]

Wisdom, AMEN to your post.

It is disturbing to know of things going on among some who attend church. I hesitate to call them believers because I don't really know. In the church I attend (which is fairly large) I hear the minister preach the truth and speak the truth in love over and over yet I know of some pretty sorry messes there among the lives of some of the attendees. Many are wonderful believers who live out their belief in their daily lives and I am so thankful for them.

[WISDOM]

Wisdom,

I thank God for your post. You were very direct, yet spoke in love - edifying the Body. I hope that no one takes it as a personal attack because it may cause them to feel guilty. You are right, we have a fallen short and must continue to achieve to be as Christ like as we can.

What you have called out is a huge problem in our churches, though others may not want to accept it... it is there. The only way to bring light into the darkness is to expose the darkness.

If you are in a dark room long enough, your eyes adjust and you begin to think that there is enough light to be effective, while the darkness keeps growing. Like the frog in the kettle.

There is one thing that you said that I wonder if you meant it a different way...

Everything in Scripture must line up with how your church operates.

Did you mean that the way your church operates must line up with everything in scripture?

Again, thank you for your post... shedding light into the darkness, you are appreciated!

YSIC,

Alison :hug: :hug: :hug:

Alison:

Let me first thank you for putting the credit for the post where it rightfully belongs.....with our FATHER!

Next let me thank you for responding and understanding that what was written was done so out of love and truth. These are two of our FATHER's main attributes. Personally, I don't believe in a "sanitized" gospel, and I appreciate your wholesome statement concerning the way others may take my thread. As Christians we should never "sugar-coat" the truth of the Word. I always try not to be hurtful to others, but I also never "water down" the truth, especially when it involves us making self-evaluations. You've heard the saying, "Don't be so Heavenly-minded that you're no earthly good". Sad to say many of our churches (and church-goers have become this way).

Incidently, you were very right. I did put the cart before the horse in that statement you noted. I will remember to take corrective action on it. I appreciate your honesty, and helpful insight. What you did is called "teamwork", and in the Body of CHRIST this is how we should operate. There ARE others who lurk and read for growth and understanding. We should try to be as clear as possible. Again, thank you sis!

[Work in Progress]

YAY!! Wisdom's back!

[WISDOM]

WISDOM Brother - you are a sight for sore eyes!! It's absolutely wonderful to see you here again! And I see that you're still listening to our Father.

Man-0-man - my day sure did brighten up!! WOOHOO!!!

So are you Sis! No, the pleasure is mine!! Oh yeah...you KNOW I'm going to listen to our FATHER when HE makes it clear HE wants my attention!!! *lol* It's great to be back, and returning to the Moderating team.

[eric]

Yup! Wisdom by name and wisdom by nature, Best post I've read all day Good to have you back at the helm again with the other mods.

GBY

eric.

[gypc]

Great thread Wisdom. I love the way you delivered this message.

This is a toughy but if we walk in love (his love) then we'll be led by the Spirit.

Bro Brian