How seriously should a modern day Christian take the words of the Apostle Paul? In some ways, this man seems extreme and unrealistic, in other ways, he is compromising and practical. To fully understand Christ, one cannot neglect to take into account the words of Paul. Although the applicability of certain ideas has transformed over time; some apply to different people and others apply to the same people in different ways. The book of 1st Corinthians contains numerous examples of Paul's advice.
In the beginning of the letter, Paul appeals to all of the Christians to agree with one another. This strong suggestion seems difficult. If two groups diverge on an issue, hopefully at least one of them has a more accurate view of the truth. The whole situation becomes bogged down when the truth needs to carry on, but the groups cannot come to a compromise about the truth. The example of the pivotal issue of the process of salvation is a major cause for division, leaving some Christian's consciences bitterly sensitive.
Powerful condemnation comes down from Paul in his accusations that a group of Christians are too worldly. They are quarreling and full of jealousy. This same type of behavior is pinpointed in modern churches by preachers and yet the mischievous actions continue. This is where Paul tells the Christians that he wanted to give them a fuller understanding of the Gospel, but that they were still stuck on needing to feed on the essentials of the Christian faith. The milk-drinkers, babies of the faith, needed to grow up, and chew on the tougher doctrines of Christ. One needs to move behind reveling in sinful behaviors and focus on works of charity.
In the middle of chapter three, Paul makes a perplexing comment. He tells those that think they are wise by worldly standards, they are deadly mistaken. Paul tells them to become fools be the world's standards and then the will be wise before God. Some modern day Christians put more faith in man-made teachings then in the lessons of God. The debates will rage on about evolution versus creation, abortion compared to choice, and heterosexuality and homosexual actions; these conflicts might be resolved much quicker if people had more faith in God than in their own theories.
Skipping a chapter, Paul starts bringing judgment down on a man that has had sex with his father's wife. This type of behavior is morally repugnant to most people; as many in the past as I would think in the present. Although, in some cases, contemporary culture almost seems to approve of any and all types of sex. Certain groups even lobby for the rights to have sex with children or animals or multiple people at the same time. Sexual sin has always been one of the most troubling areas of human behavior to regulate. The Old Testament is plagued with examples of otherwise godly men that had concubines, some numbering into the hundreds.
Paul continues on this tirade, asking that Christians not even eat with people who are sexually immoral, or greedy, slanderous, idolatrous, drunk or swindling. Paul admits that a Christian cannot refrain from eating with these types of people who are unbelievers, but Paul is clear that followers of Christ that are taking part in this behavior need to be exempt from the community. This high standard seems unreasonable today; maybe Christians have fallen too far from the mark. Possibly, this standard was set so high, just as Jesus asked followers to be as perfect as the Father who is in Heaven.
In the beginning of the letter, Paul appeals to all of the Christians to agree with one another. This strong suggestion seems difficult. If two groups diverge on an issue, hopefully at least one of them has a more accurate view of the truth. The whole situation becomes bogged down when the truth needs to carry on, but the groups cannot come to a compromise about the truth. The example of the pivotal issue of the process of salvation is a major cause for division, leaving some Christian's consciences bitterly sensitive.
Powerful condemnation comes down from Paul in his accusations that a group of Christians are too worldly. They are quarreling and full of jealousy. This same type of behavior is pinpointed in modern churches by preachers and yet the mischievous actions continue. This is where Paul tells the Christians that he wanted to give them a fuller understanding of the Gospel, but that they were still stuck on needing to feed on the essentials of the Christian faith. The milk-drinkers, babies of the faith, needed to grow up, and chew on the tougher doctrines of Christ. One needs to move behind reveling in sinful behaviors and focus on works of charity.
In the middle of chapter three, Paul makes a perplexing comment. He tells those that think they are wise by worldly standards, they are deadly mistaken. Paul tells them to become fools be the world's standards and then the will be wise before God. Some modern day Christians put more faith in man-made teachings then in the lessons of God. The debates will rage on about evolution versus creation, abortion compared to choice, and heterosexuality and homosexual actions; these conflicts might be resolved much quicker if people had more faith in God than in their own theories.
Skipping a chapter, Paul starts bringing judgment down on a man that has had sex with his father's wife. This type of behavior is morally repugnant to most people; as many in the past as I would think in the present. Although, in some cases, contemporary culture almost seems to approve of any and all types of sex. Certain groups even lobby for the rights to have sex with children or animals or multiple people at the same time. Sexual sin has always been one of the most troubling areas of human behavior to regulate. The Old Testament is plagued with examples of otherwise godly men that had concubines, some numbering into the hundreds.
Paul continues on this tirade, asking that Christians not even eat with people who are sexually immoral, or greedy, slanderous, idolatrous, drunk or swindling. Paul admits that a Christian cannot refrain from eating with these types of people who are unbelievers, but Paul is clear that followers of Christ that are taking part in this behavior need to be exempt from the community. This high standard seems unreasonable today; maybe Christians have fallen too far from the mark. Possibly, this standard was set so high, just as Jesus asked followers to be as perfect as the Father who is in Heaven.
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