In 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to a church out of order and out of sync with God. He greets them knowing that God is faithful to complete the work He has started in them, but there are issues that need to be addressed. There are times when rebuke and correction are necessary. Sin left unchallenged will continue to grow. Paul's first and primary concern is division — not sexual immorality, drunkenness, or other sins that had arisen in the church. Division starts in the heart and results from walking in the flesh and relying on ourselves rather than being Spirit-filled and Spirit-lead. Holy unity comes when we fully surrender to Christ, doing all things for His glory and put others above ourselves.

As Saul, Paul was an up and coming leader, a man of ambition and recognition; but when he came to Christ, he came humbly — not seeking recognition or followers. His focus shifted from himself to bringing glory and honor to Christ. The church is to be built upon the foundation and person of Jesus, not on the personalities of men. Paul lived in a place of complete dependence upon God. Many of us, if we were honest, trust ourselves more than we trust God. Some of us will even lean on Christ a little bit, treating him like an assistant or consultant, wanting Him to help us help ourselves. Spiritual wisdom comes when we fully surrender all control to God. The ways and plans of man are contrary to God, and in His love He will thwart our plans in order to bring us to the end of ourselves.

It is God's desire that we all come to spiritual maturity, but many Christians today remain spiritual infants — depending on others to feed them rather than feeding themselves, crying and whining to control others, not working or reproducing. Satan, sin and self are the biggest hindrances to spiritual growth in our lives. God gives us a desire for spiritual maturity, but we cling to sin or strive for victory in our own strength. It is God who brings the growth. God doesn't want our flesh to take any part in the victories in our life. He alone gets the glory. Jesus doesn't come into our lives to be our helper or assistant. He comes to be Lord and Savior, taking complete control and authority. Many of us are living with far less than God has planned for us because we don't have the faith to be fully surrendered to Christ.

In Genesis, God's creation had become corrupt, so He had to destroy it. In the New Testament, what was meant for God's glory — the temple and the priests — had become nothing but dead religion, so it had to be destroyed. Jesus came to establish a new temple. We are God's dwelling place — His holy habitation. Scripture is very clear that the Lord will destroy that which destroys His temple. This doesn't mean that God is out to get us, rather he wants to cut off those things that corrupt what is holy. Jesus wants to “scrape off” all those things in our lives that defile His temple.

Paul was pointing out to the Corinthians that as a body they had taken on the culture of their society. They were affluent and materialistic. Paul wasn't saying that the things they possessed were evil but that they had become self-consumed. Their own desires were their first pursuit. They were lacking a love for others and therefore lacking an impact on their city. Paul went on to describe his life and the life of a true disciple. It wasn't so much that he shunned the comforts of this world but that he was so focused on God's kingdom they weren't a thought in his mind. He has laid down his life for the Gospel and it was evident in the very way he lived his life. Paul was so confident in the single focus of his life that he told the church at Corinth to imitate the way he lived.

Earlier in 1 Corinthians Paul was dealing with unrighteousness, tolerance of sin and a lax attitude toward holiness, but now he turns his attention toward dealing with excessive self-righteousness. Legalism is subtle and can seem like holiness, but it is just as sinful as sexual immorality and other sins. Self-righteousness is born out of self-love and loathing of others — seeing other Christians as average, subpar and not pleasing to God. The legalistic believer is concerned more with performance and appearances — creating lists and rules of holiness that aren't found in the Bible. When we become self-righteous we depend more on our own performance and potential rather than Christ's finished work on the Cross. Trust in Jesus' cleansing blood. It is Christ, and Christ alone, that sets us free from our sin.

In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul is addressing the issue of eating food offered to idols. In the U.S. this isn't a topic we really have to face, but many Christians around the world are persecuted because of it every day. As Americans though, there is still something to be learned from these verses. Much of the American church has become idolatrous in that many come to church each Sunday for what they can get out of it, rather than giving their all to Jesus — expecting nothing in return. We put God's blessings in front of God Himself. Also, in wanting to be accepted by the world, much of the church has become like the world, rather than being transformed into the image of Christ. Today, compromise is presented as “Christian liberty” — saying, “We are strong, mature, sophisticated believers. We can handle the temptation.” We should no longer have any interest in our former associations. Instead, we should be living in full obedience to the Word of God — longing to keep our Spirit-led conscious clean, pure and holy.

When the church comes together it should be for the building up of the body of Christ. Sometimes we make church about us and what we can get out of it. We should be peacemakers — no division in our hearts, no holding on to grudges or bitterness — that desire to use our spiritual gifts, services and activities to serve others. No one person has all the gifts, so we must work together to continue the mission and ministry of Jesus in the Earth.

Paul instructs us to pursue love and desire spiritual gifts, not just allow or tolerate them. The church is called to use our gifts to build up the body and to bring the lost to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We're all called to be Holy Ghost preachers and prophets — proclaiming the Word of God in love so that it brings holy conviction.

In 1 Corinthians 16, Paul sees the church through the lens of Christ, not focusing on their failures or shortcomings. He writes that the church is generous to the needy — giving of their finances and belongings to help those that are less fortunate. The church is loving and involved in each other's lives. We're not only ministered to, but God also uses all of us to minister to others. Finally, we're to be devoted to the service of the Lord, helping in ministries that serve the church. The wellbeing of the church hinges on the members of the body being actively involved in giving, loving and serving, not just attending as spectators.