Paul finished his letter to the Romans by sending his greetings to many of his friends and ministry partners there. He also warned them about people who cause divisions among the people with false teachings. Paul passed on greetings from Timothy and others. He praised God and gave Him glory.
1st Corinthians
Paul made his introduction to the people of Corinth. He was writing to clear up some issues that had arisen about Christian life and faith there. Paul told them he was grateful for them. He told them they could trust God. By the authority of Jesus Christ, Paul asked them to be completely united, with only one thought and purpose. They were confused about who to follow and Paul reminded them that it was Christ himself who died for us. The message shouldn't be complicated. God saves those who believe. God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense (who would have expected the Son of God to be born in a stable or laid in a food trough for animals?) If you want to brag, do what God said in Jeremiah 9:24, and brag about Him.
Paul talked about how he was nervous when he first started preaching. But the Holy Spirit came through his words. The wisdom Paul shared is the wisdom of God, not the world. People who have the Spirit are able to judge what they hear, but not each other, because that is for God to do.
When Paul began teaching them, they weren't spiritually mature, so he had to begin slowly. He felt that they still hadn't left behind their worldly ways. Paul explained that it is God who makes us stronger spiritually, not human teachers. The foundation for our lives is Jesus Christ and some will add other things like gold, silver, precious stones, wood, glass or straw (or glitter). Each of us will be responsible for the quality of our spritual building on that foundation. If it isn't burned up, we receive a reward. If it is burned, we will lose it, but we will survive. Every one of us is God's temple, Holy. Worldly wisdom is nonsense in God's sight. Everything belongs to God, this world, life and death, the present and the future.
Paul asked the people to look on him and his companions as God's servants and stewards of the mysteries of God. Servants and stewards need to be worthy of trust. Paul admitted that his conscience was clear, but that didn't mean he was off the hook. All will be made clear when Christ comes again. Everything we have is a gift from God, what is there to boast about? Paul observed that though he was blessed spiritually, he and those with him had a lowly existence.
Tomorrow read 1Corinthians 4:14-7:40
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