Temptation Is Common to Mankind (1 Corinthians 10:1-13)

Apostle Paul gave a warning for the danger of disqualification for the prize and so in order not to run to run the race aimlessly like a boxer beating the air, he wanted to make his body to his slave by striking a blow to it (1 Corinthians 9:26-27). And he gives an example that there are many who were baptized into Moses and yet perished in the desert. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). When King David found himself guilty of abusing power he repented and confessed that what the Lord God was pleased was not to bring numerous offerings and sacrifices but to bring a broken spirit and contrite heart before him (Psalm 51:16-17). We’ve been saved and made righteous by the grace and mercy of the eternal Father in heaven, so it is forbidden for us to boast by any means. Rather, in fear and trembling we continue to work out our salvation, because it comes from the Father, not from the flesh (Philippians 2:12). So, the Father disciplines and tests every child of him to bear the fruits of the Spirit.

“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)

Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites triumphed over the Egyptians that God sent the ten plagues which forced the Pharaoh to let the Israelites go off the country with no conditions. On the day of Passover, the angel of death killed all the firstborns of the household of Egypt but passed over the household of Israel whose house was sprinkled by the blood of animals in their doorframes. When they were led into the Red Sea, the Lord God opened the way in the Sea and they passed through it on foot as dry land. In this way, they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Baptism is the symbol of born again. They all passed through the Sea and departed from Egypt toward the land of Canaan which God promised to go in and possess to their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Egypt is the symbol of the world, so crossing the Red Sea means that they’ve been cut off from the world. During the wilderness wanderings forty years they all ate manna and drank from the rock that was Christ. The Lord faithfully fed them with the spiritual food and drink to sustain their lives. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them. In fact, only two, Caleb and Joshua were allowed to enter the land but all their bodies were scattered in the desert.

“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.’ We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.” (1 Corinthians 10:6-10)

These things not only occurred to themselves in the wilderness living forty years but also are occurring to any people who set their hearts on evil things as the Israelites did. They are given for us as examples. God is forever love, which means he does not change but remains the same always in judging whether right or wrong. James says that God does not change like shifting shadows (James 1:17). He is just and faithful forever and ever. There is no compromise, bend, or twist in his judgment. God is light and there is no darkness or confusion in him. He neither turns to the right nor to the left even a bit in making his judgment. The Book of Hebrews warns against the continuous rebellion and unbelief of the people who were once baptized into Moses but hardened their hearts and refused to enter God’s rest and perished in the wilderness.

“So, as the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the wilderness, where your ancestors tested and tried me, though for forty years they saw what I did. That is why I was angry with that generation; I said, “Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.” So I declared on oath in my anger, “They shall never enter my rest.”’” (Hebrews 3:7-11)

They committed idolatry by making the golden calf and before it they sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry. It occurred when Moses went up to Mount Horeb to receive the Ten Commandments and stayed on the sacred mountain forty days. They also committed sexual immorality with the Moabite women which aroused the burning anger of God and killed twenty-three thousand of them by plagues. The plagues stopped only when they purged out the sin of sexual immorality by putting to death of both an Israelite man and a Midianite woman whom the man brought into the camp of Israel by a spear (Numbers 25:8). They were beaten and destroyed by fiery snakes because they provokingly complained that they had no food and no water and the manna was loathsome and worthless (Numbers 21:4-9). It was a challenge and test of Christ whether God would respond in judgement. Korah and some others rebelled against Moses and Aaron and the Lord burned anger against them and destroyed them by opening the mouth of the earth and swallowing them up with all that belonged to them (Numbers 17:32-33).

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12)

As God acted against them who committed idolatry, sexual immorality, test of Christ, and grumbling against the leaders, so does he against anyone who commits these things against the Lord God of havens and the earth. These things are given as examples and written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. It happened in ancient days and has been happening throughout the centuries and centuries. Now it’s time for the culmination of the ages has come as Apostle Paul says in the Epistle to the Romans Chapter 13.

“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Romans 13:11-14)

If the hour of salvation was nearer and the night was nearly over in the first century, how much nearer our salvation and how much nearly over the night in the twenty-first century. Our God is patient and long-suffering for he does not want anyone to be perished. But in due time, the appointed time of God will come and there will be the end of time for individual and for the whole world. “My times are in your hands,” says the Psalmist (Psalm 31:15). Moses says, “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority,” says our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 1:7). Also, the Lord says, “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves comes out, you know that summer is near.” (Matthew 24:32) As a matter of fact, the things happened in the wilderness occurred repeatedly in the first century as well as twenty-first century. There have always been rebellion and disobedience against God ever practiced and exercised by the people of unbelief. However, God is delaying the coming of the Day of the Lord for he wants them not to be eternally condemned.

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

This is one of the most stunning statement for the fallen race and one of the hardest truth for the race to accept. Here temptation can be worded as test, the testing of faith. No test has overtaken anyone except what is common to mankind. What a marvelous revelation and truth to the race! Everyone shall agree that when they are in temptation they believe there is no one else tempted than them. But the Scripture says it is not. All temptation is common to mankind. In fact, it’s been declared ever since Adam fell, eating the forbidden fruit of the tree in the Garden, not for the curse of man but for the great recovery program of man, the only way to the Father.

“To Adam he said, ‘Because you listened to your wife and ate fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, “You must not eat from it,” Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.’” (Genesis 3:17-19)

No one can escape from toiling and sweating all the days of their lives. But God is faithful and he will not let anyone to be tested beyond what they can bear. Many think that it is not true either. When they are in temptation they think that it is already beyond they can bear. That’s the outcry of humanity everywhere around the world, even those who are in Christ Jesus. No Scriptures say that when tempted be panicky and bewildered like something shouldn’t be happened have happened. Rather, it says exactly the opposite. “Rejoice in the sufferings,” says Apostle Paul (Romans 5:3). “Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of all kinds,” says Apostle James (James 1:2). Peter says, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.” (1 Peter 1:6)

No testing of faith in any form is enjoyable and pleasant, let alone to rejoice and be glad, but painful (Hebrews 12:11). The reason to rejoice and be glad is because we know that the testings of faith produce the fruits of the Spirit, perseverance, character, hope, and the genuineness of faith. In fact, behind trial and test, there is the love of God kindled and poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Apostle Peter says to the saints in the trails of every kind, “These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of great worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Our God is compassionate and merciful. He is the Shepherd and the Father of all who is in need. He is faithful and he will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear. Remember he is the Creator and Maker of humanity. He knows better than we know how much we can bear. Once Peter saw Jesus walking on the water. He said, “Lord if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” The Lord said, “Come.” Then he got down out of the boat and walked on the water. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. (Matthew 14:28-31). Our Lord Jesus knew Peter more than he did how much he could bear. When Peter cried out, Jesus immediately helped him out, reaching out his hand. “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing,” says the Psalmist. (Psalm 23:1)

There is one more promise in the stunning revelation on temptation and test. When we are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that we can endure it. Here a way out is our Lord Jesus Christ. As promised, the Father sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts when delivered from the evil one by the blood of Christ. He indwells within us and never leaves us nor forsakes us ever (Hebrews 13:5). That much we have confidence in approaching the throne of grace for we’ve been made peace with him through the faith in Christ. What a help, what a release even when tempted and tested! That mystery of God has been revealed now, which was hidden for ages and generations, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:25-27)

Prayer: Thank you Father for teaching and revealing the truth on temptation and test of our faith in Christ Jesus. Though temptation and test are unavoidable and inevitable, we shall not forget that the love of God is behind of every kind of trials through which we may produce perseverance and the genuineness of our faith after tested and tried. Thank you Lord for teaching there is no temptation has overtaken us except what is common to mankind. In Christ’s name. Amen.

July 21, 2016

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

The Danger of Disqualification (1 Corinthians 9:19-27)

Our Lord Jesus Christ didn’t claim his rights to be honored and respected but gave up all the rights and further obeyed the Father even to the point of death for the sake of the gospel. It is the way to life through the cross of Calvary where our Lord Jesus Christ became nothing. There is no other way to enter into eternal life except through the way of the cross where all the facades and pretenses are nakedly exposed and revealed. God sees and knows all, so he cannot be deceived. What he accepts is the blood of the Son Jesus Christ only because it not only reveals the deep things of humanity but heals the wounds and scars of man to be blameless and holy before God. However, unless we accept the way of the cross, we shall not enter into true freedom in Christ.

“Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)

Apostle Paul said that although he had the rights to be supported and to have a family he didn’t want to use them but gave up for the sake of the gospel of Christ. Further, he is saying that although he is free indeed and belongs to no one but Christ the Lord he wants to make himself a slave to everyone to win as many as possible. This is exactly what our Lord Jesus did that he did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). He who was God in vary nature did not consider equality with God something to be used for his own advantage, but made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant for all mankind (Philippians 2:6-7). Although he was the Judge of all when the people hurled their insults at him he did not retaliate and when he suffered he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to the Father in heaven who judges justly (1 Peter 2:23).

To the Jews Apostle Paul became like a Jew to win the Jews. What does it mean? He was a Jew but said he became like a Jew. The Jews received the law through Moses, so they were under the law. To be like a Jew means to become like under the law though he himself was not under the law, so as to win those under the law. The Jews circumcised every male child on the eight day by the law. For example, Apostle Paul let Timothy to be circumcised after he was converted. His mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek. Paul circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area (Acts 16:3). He didn’t have to circumcise him at all because the salvation doesn’t lie on the physical circumcision but on the circumcision in heart. But he did it because all knew that his father was a Greek. That’s what it means to become like a Jew though he was not under the law.

To those not having the law he became like one not having the law though he was not free from God’s law but was under Christ’s law so as to win those not having the law. What does it mean? Those not having the law indicate the Gentiles who did not receive the law of Moses. For example, there is no food restrictions for those not having the law. There are very strict restrictions for the Jews on food so-called the kosher diet. Besides, there are many appointed feasts and festivals like New Moon and Sabbath day. These are equivalent to Christmas celebration and Sunday service to modern Christians. There are none of those religious feasts to the Gentiles.

The people in the city of Corinth and almost every elsewhere around the world enjoyed the meat which was presented to the idols in the pagan temples without being guilty of conscience. However, it bothered a great deal to some Christians, especially new converts who seriously thought that it was given to the idols. But Apostle Paul argues that idols are nothing in the world and there is no God but one and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. 

“So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that ‘An idol is nothing at all in the world’ and that ‘There is no God but one.’ For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many ‘gods’ and many ‘lords’), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” (1 Corinthians 8:4-6)

Our Lord Jesus says that all foods are clean and never defile people but what comes out of a person does (Mark 7:14-19). It is perfectly okay to eat any meat whether it was presented to the idols. However, it is also better not to eat it in the presence of the weak in the faith for the sake of the gospel. Now, Apostle Paul is free and not guilty of conscience at all in eating like those not having the law. Yet, he is not free from God’s law but is under Christ’s law. What’s does it mean? It means that God sees and knows our hearts. God is interested in not what to do but how to do. As a free man in Christ, he may eat the food presented to the idols and may not eat it. Both are right and acceptable to God.

That’s what it means that he is not free from God’s law but is under Christ’s law. The Scripture says whatever we eat or drink we shall do for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Likewise, whether becoming like those not under the law or not, we shall do for the glory of God because no one can escape from the judgment call of God. Christ’s law is superior and higher than anything in heaven and on earth because without him nothing has been made that has been made. He holds everything together in order and harmony and is before all things (Colossians 1:17). He is above feasts, food, religion because in him all things were created.

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

Here, Apostle Paul is giving a practical example in expounding what is the most supreme thing to remember and never forget as a free man in Christ. We’re like runners who are running to get the prize. Anyone who runs to get the prize shall run in such a way that only one gets the prize. So, everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training like Olympians go into strict training four years long. They go into strict training to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. It gives us true hope kept in heaven, which does not perish, spoil, or fade away (1 Peter 1:4).

So, Apostle Paul is saying that he does not run like someone aimlessly. He does not fight like a boxer beating the air. That’s all waste. Instead, he strikes a blow to his body and make it his salve so that after he preached to others, he himself will not be disqualified for the prize. Life is never like playing a game. Rather, it is a serious business, resulting in either life or death. Aimless numerous punches are useless and ineffective but one aimful blow does the work effectively. What does it mean by striking a blow to his body and making it his slave? It means that the preachers and teachers of the Scriptures shall not only teach them but also obey them. Otherwise, they will be disqualified for the prize.

For example, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who vehemently opposed the Son of Man in the first century. Jesus says to them that they refused to come to him to have life regardless of diligent studies of the Scriptures. “You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.” (John 5:39-40) They prayed and fasted regularly and taught the people of Israel to follow the laws of God. Yet, they did not even lift up their fingers to help others. They are the hypocrites. The Lord Jesus warns them, saying “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.” (Luke 11:46)

The reason Apostle Paul strikes a blow to his body to make it his slave is that there is nothing to count on the flesh, the seat of sin. The desires of the flesh is always against the desires of the Spirit. It is the lump of pride and self-righteousness. It never obeys the law of the Spirit at all. That’s why our Lord Jesus died on the cross when the Father made who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Prayer: Thank you Father in heaven for teaching us the truth that there is nothing we can count on our flesh which is always against the Spirit. It’s not the physical circumcision but the circumcision in heart that is acceptable to God who sees and knows our heart. So, may we obey Christ Jesus, striking a blow to our body to make it our slave and thus may we not be disqualified for the prize. In Christ’s name. Amen.

July 13, 2016

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.

Give Up the Rights (1 Corinthians 9:1-18)

There were accusations against Apostle Paul by someone in the church of Corinth. They accused him that he was not an apostle because he didn’t belong to the band of the Twelve. These accusers were poisoned by the false teachers and prophets who got jealous of Paul. Some zealous Judaizers smeared into the churches and taught them that they must keep the Law of Moses literally, saying, for example, “They must be circumcised to be saved.” In his defense, Apostle Paul says that he did not use his rights as an apostle and the gospel worker in order not to hinder the gospel of Christ.That's the message of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ that he gave up his life in order to save the world.

“Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 9:1-2)

After Jesus was ascended into heaven and went to the Father, the church was growing powerfully in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and the gospel was spreading to the cities and towns and villages in other countries. Apostle Paul was persecuting the churches in the name of Mosaic Law, attempting to root out the Nazarenes who were following Jesus of Nazareth and his teachings. But the Risen Lord Jesus met him on the way to Damascus with the great light and made him blind until Ananias prayed for him. He was indeed freed in Christ from the power of darkness and confusion by the power of God. He couldn’t make himself free regardless of efforts and beatings, but was made free by grace and mercy in Christ and called to be an apostle, his chosen instrument to proclaim his name to the Gentiles.

“But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.’” (Acts 9:15-16)

At least ten years after the Damascus experience Apostle Paul began his teaching and preaching ministries for the Gentiles in the church of Antioch. Then the Holy Spirit set apart for him Barnabas and Paul for the work to which God had called them (Acts 13:2). He preached the gospel of Christ in the cities and towns in Asia Minor, Macedonia, Achaia, and Rome, being persecuted and suffered for the sake of Christ Jesus the Lord. In his second missionary journey, he arrived in the port city of Corinth with fear and trembling since wherever he preached the gospel he received strong oppositions and beatings and imprisonments.

And the Lord Jesus strengthened him not to be afraid but to keep on speaking and not to be silent because the Lord was with him and no one was going to attack and harm him and because the Lord had many people in this city (Acts 18:9-10). He met Priscilla and Aquila who migrated from Rome and worked together for the gospel of Christ. That’s how the church in Corinth was built and established on the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The city was full of secular and worldly businesses and idol worship practices just like any other cities in the United States and around the world. However, the message of the cross of Jesus Christ penetrated the hearts of the people in Corinth powerfully and effectively that many Gentiles and Jews believed in Christ Jesus. Here is Paul’s own words about the changes of the Corinthians by the power of the Spirit of God.

“Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

Paul’s preaching and teaching of the gospel of Christ was mightily working among the people in the whole region of Achaia by the power and guidance of the Spirit in the midst of oppositions and resistance. The people who were converted and changed were the seal of his apostleship which proves that he was sent by the Lord Jesus Christ. What’s Paul’s defense? How does he defend for the false and wrong claims against him?

“This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink? Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who lack the right to not work for a living?” (1 Corinthians 9:3-6)

Paul’s accusers said that he couldn’t be an apostle because he wasn’t one of the Twelve. He didn’t marry nor received the support of food and drink from the church. What he is saying is that he and Barnabas have right to food and drink and to marry just like other apostles did. But twice he says that though he has all of these rights for food and drink and for marrying he did not use his rights (1 Corinthians 9:12, 15). That’s the key for his defense. Now he explains the reason why he has right to collect his living from the gospel.

“Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: ‘Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.’ Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 9:7-12)

Surely soldiers and farmers do not work at their own expenses. This is common sense and standard practices wherever people trade in this world. They work to receive the pay for their labor as reward. The Law also says the same thing. In fact, the tribe of Levites didn’t receive any land property to possess. The priests severed in the temple and offered the blood and offerings to the Lord. And they were allowed to receive the share from the offerings by the tribes of the people. It shall be done by the Law of Moses, saying “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”

Apostle Paul planted the seed of the gospel of Christ in the people of Corinth and labored for preaching and teaching them. He sowed spiritual seed among them, which is the word of God. Through the labor of Paul they were purified, washed, and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit of God. In return, he could receive the material support from them. Other apostles did receive the support from the church, so could Paul. But he did not use this right. On the contrary, he put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. He labored for making tents at night for food and drink in order not to be burden to the church of Corinth and elsewhere.

“Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)

Just as the priests in the temple get their food from the temple and share in what is offered in the temple, so do the gospel workers receive their living from the gospel of Christ. Where in the gospel did our Lord Jesus Christ give such a command? It may be given to Apostle Paul because he was taught and revealed by none other than the Lord Jesus Christ. He testifies in the Epistle to the Galatians that he did not receive the message of the gospel from any other apostles, nor was he taught it but received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.

“I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)

Another case may be found in the gospels that when the Lord Jesus sent out his twelve disciples he commanded them not to have any bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals for the worker deserved of his provisions. “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep. Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave.” (Matthew 10:9-11) So, it was perfectly and completely acceptable for him to receive the support from the church, even by the Law of God.

“But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast. For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me. What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge, and so not make full use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:15-18)

Paul says that he did not use any of these rights not because he wanted to claim his rights but because he wanted to keep on giving up his rights. This is his boast. His boast was not from his apostleship at all. He preached the gospel simply because he was compelled to. Some might wonder that preaching must be voluntary, not obliged. But it is both true, voluntary and obligatory. It is voluntary because God is pleased with obedience not sacrifice. It is obligatory and compelled because anyone in Christ is a great debt which cannot be paid by any means of humans but has already been paid by means of the blood of Christ. That’s the reason Apostle Paul says, “Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”

If voluntarily, what is the reward? The reward of the preaching the gospel is to offer it free of charge, not making full use of the rights as a preacher of the gospel. What is it? It’s joy, yes the joy of heaven from the Father above. That’s the reward, the heavenly joy and delight of sharing the good news of the glorious gospel of Christ Jesus our Lord. The Epistle to the Hebrews tells so pertinently that our Lord Jesus Christ endured the sufferings of the cross for the joy set before him.

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:2b-3)

Our Lord Jesus endured such opposition from sinners for the joy set before him. The joy of Jesus doesn’t mean only the resurrection from the dead on the third day. It includes the joy of the resurrection, but not everything. The joy means that everyone who believes in him shall be saved and fulfilled through his death on the cross because the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ is the only way to life, the true and eternal life (John 14:6). He had no reason to die because he was sinless. But he died and shed his blood, taking up the sin of the world in our place. Apostle Paul describes in the Epistle to the Philippians how our Lord Jesus gave up his rights to be honored and glorified even though he was the only One who deserved to be as the Designer and Maker of the heavens and the earth and everything in them.

“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:6-11)

When the Son Jesus Christ made himself nothing by being made in human likeness and obeyed the Father to the point of death, the God of the heavens and the earth and the Father of glory honored the Son and exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name and is able to save anyone from the power of darkness and confusion. That’s the joy and pleasure of God that he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all (Romans 8:32). That’s also the joy of preachers and teachers who are called and entrusted to expound by his own glory and goodness.

Prayer: Our heavenly Father, thank you for teaching the truth of the cross that the Lord Jesus Christ gave up all his right, honor, glory, and power for the joy set before him that he would save anyone who believes in him whom the Father sent. Although our Lord Jesus was sinless and no reason to die, he came to the earth as a servant in the likeness of man and shed his blood and died in our place. Thank Jesus the Lord who gave up all the rights in order to save the sinners of the world. In Christ’s name. Amen.

July 1, 2016

© 2015-2016 David Lee Ministries – All Rights Reserved.