Friday 20 February 2015

Psalm: Psalm 113

Background

Paul's first letter to the church at Corinth was written inresponse to a request from members of one Corinthian household(that of Chloe - 1 Corinthians 1:11) to help sort out thedivisions in their church. In the first part of the letter,chapters 1-6, Paul spends time condemning some of the practices inthe church which are, frankly, un-Christian.

But it's clear that, in the letter that Chloe's household hassent, there are some specific questions that they want answering(1Corinthians 7:1). So now Paul moves on to address these. Havinggiven some advice to husbands, wives, and widows (and, beingsingle, Paul acknowledges he is not the world's greatest expert onmarriage - 1 Corinthians 7:6-7), he now moves on toanother topic.

Paul wants to make it clear that we shouldn't think that bychanging something in the circumstances of our lives makes us anycloser to God. If we find ourselves in situations that simply aretoo difficult to change - because of family ties, or economiccircumstances - then we should not be overly concerned. Elsewhere(Galatians 5:1-6) he sets out that what reallymatters is faith in Jesus working through love.

He points out that in all circumstances we can serve Christ;even slaves can transfer their loyalty so that they feel slaves ofChrist (verses 22-23) - Christ himself bought them for a price fargreater than any paid by a human master. (In Galatians 3:13-14 Paul speaks of Christ payingthe redemption price to set people free.)

To Ponder

• In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Paul speaks of givingthanks in all circumstances. In what ways is this realistic orunrealistic?

• Should Christians aim to 'better themselves'? Why or whynot?

• What difference do you think it should make to thecircumstances of our lives when we become Christians?