Bible Pathway - Nov. 27, 2011

Highlights:

Spiritual gifts (I Cor. 14:22-40). (1) Jesus resurrected (15:1-12); (2) First of many raised to life again (15:20); (3) Our resurrected bodies (15:35-49); (4) Total victory (15:54-58). Offerings for others on every Lord's Day (16:1-3).

The grace of God can protect a Joseph from Potiphar's wife in Egypt and can keep an Elijah in a kingdom where Jezebel was queen, but even the most godly Christians need to be on their guard against the worldly deceptions of the devil. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (I Pet. 5:8).

To the Christian who, of necessity, must spend much of his time with the people of the world, the following text comes as a warning against conforming to their standards. Be not deceived: evil communications (friends, companions) corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame (I Cor. 15:33-34). Influences of worldly associations and the temptations that follow can gradually weaken a believer to accept the standards of the world around him. That is why God has said: Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Eph. 5:11). Failing to turn from ungodly influences exposes one's unwillingness to take the Lord and His Word seriously.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (I John 2:15-17).

The pronouncements of the Scriptures on the Christian's proper relationship to the world are very clear. Many Christians today are so entangled with the world that millions never realize how radically they have missed the New Testament pattern of godly living. Compromise is rampant, but Scripture leaves no room for doubt or compromise.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord (I Cor. 15:57-58). PTL!

Thought for Today:

Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God (II Tim. 1:8).

Cross References:

For I Cor. 14:21: See Is. 28:11-12. I Cor. 15:3-4: See Hos. 6:2. I Cor. 15:25: See Ps. 110:1. I Cor. 15:27: See Ps. 8:6. I Cor. 15:32: See Is. 22:13. I Cor. 15:45: See Gen. 2:7. I Cor. 15:54: See Is. 25:8. I Cor. 15:55: See Hos. 13:14.

Word Studies:

14:10 signification, meaning; 14:11 barbarian, foreigner; 14:20 in malice be ye children, in doing evil, be as harmless as a baby; 14:27 by course, in turn; 15:9 meet, worthy, fit; 15:20 slept, have died; 15:33 evil communications corrupt good manners, evil companions or associations ruin or defile good character; 15:40 celestial, heavenly; terrestrial, earthly; 16:2 gatherings, collections; 16:13 stand fast in the faith, remain true to the Lord; quit you, act, be courageous; 16:15 addicted, devoted; 16:22 Anathema, Accursed; Maranatha, Our Lord is coming!

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Paul Gosar (AK) and Rep. John Runyan (NJ) • Country: Grenada (97,000) southernmost of the Windward Islands • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 61% Roman Catholic; 31% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Seek God in prayer with your whole heart and He will hear you (Jer. 29:12-13).

Memory Verse for the Week: Romans 6:15