Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Incorporated to be One Body

1 Corinthians 10:1-6

The Israelites in the wilderness received spiritual blessings and protection from Christ, just as born-again Christians do. These blessings and protections, Paul disclosed in the preceding verse, were insufficient to shield people from God's wrath for their own sins. As a result, God overthrew most of that generation of Israelites, who died in the wilderness. Paul now cautions the Christians in Corinth to learn from the Israelites' example. Their reaction, like the Israelites', should be to give up their desire to commit evil.

The Corinthians, it seemed, misread what many Christians today still misinterpret. They mistakenly assumed that their freedom in Christ—their emancipation from the law of Moses—meant they may indulge in immoral pleasures without fear of God's wrath. While Christians are rescued from eternal condemnation by God's mercy via trust in Christ, Paul wants them to know that the Lord will punish them in this life if needed

This scripture explains how God benefited the generation of Israelites who fled Egypt, yet they continued to worship idols. Many of them were severely punished by God, including being sent out into the desert until they died. Unless they, too, fall prey to God's wrath for indulging in idolatry, the Corinthians should use their example as a warning. Their trust in Christ does not exclude God from taking action against those who worship false gods. Nonetheless, such temptations are widespread, and God always offers a means for His children to avoid wrongdoing. As a result, we must avoid creating the impression that we support idol worship. In modern times, idol worship is not limited to serving a stone figure. It relates to anything that takes us away from our full devotion to or consciousness of God and His way.  "Will this honor God?" should always be what we ask ourselves first.

Prayer
Prepare us, Lord, to be stewards of Your Good News across the globe. Strengthen us so that we might be a beacon of Your truth to others. Send us your Spirit to lead us down Your path. Bless us with your wisdom to steer away from temptation and idolatry. May we honor You only in all our actions, words, and thoughts. Please provide us with more opportunities to learn more about You 

Thought for the Day
“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

Dr. Jomi K. Oommen
St. Johns Mar Thoma Church, New York 

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