The Set-Up
Earlier this spring, I competed in my first weightlifting competition. One of my friends was also supposed to compete. She wasn’t able to, unfortunately, but she still came to support me and the rest of my team.
To say this friend of mine is a beast is an understatement. She is absolutely jacked. Throughout my training, she had been a huge source of motivation for me. Knowing that she was there to watch me encouraged me, but also kind of terrified me. When we worked together, her nickname with the students was “Drill Sargent,” so hopefully that gives you an idea of her intimidation factor.
Sure enough, when I got out on stage, she was as close as she could get without actually being on the stage. I didn’t do well in my first attempt, and as I walked off to regroup, she was right there, telling me to get myself together and do better. To anyone watching, I’m sure it seemed super intense and aggressive, but I sincerely appreciated it. She knew I could do better and was pushing me to do so.
I like to think that this was Paul’s attitude toward the people of the church in Corinth. He knew they were struggling with a lot of different issues – they lived in a culture that was well known for its partying, drunkenness, and promiscuity. But he also knew they were “called by God to be His own holy people” (1 Corinthians 1:2).
If anyone understood the tension between living by society’s standards and living according to God’s standards, Paul did. He was beaten, arrested, and imprisoned for preaching the gospel. He knew how hard it was to live a life set apart for God instead of following the world. Even though there are times his words to the believers at Corinth seem harsh, it’s because he knows they can do better. He knows they have a higher calling than the one they are living.
Passage to Read
Reflection Questions
What do you think it means to be “called by God to be His own holy people”?
It might seem that because of all their issues, the people in the Corinthian church weren’t true believers, but Paul says they were made “by means of Christ Jesus.” What do you think this tells us about Paul’s audience?
1 Corinthians is a letter Paul wrote addressing the issues of the Corinthian church – he basically calls them out for their sins and shortcomings but also points them in the right direction. How can we apply this to our own lives?
Prayer Idea
Thank God for making you holy through Christ Jesus. Confess to Him that you have weaknesses and shortcomings, and you can’t overcome them without His help. Ask God to reveal any specific issues to you that you need to work through.