Trying to live a Christian life in a world that riducules and opposes Christianity is a problem for many in our world today, but it is not merely a modern-day problem. In fact, the first-century believers in the city of Corinth struggled with living their faith in their world.
Corinth was the most important city in Greece during Paul's time. It was a hub of worldwide commerce, but the city was also filled with corruption, idolatry, and immorality.
Paul had founded the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey - Acts 18:1-17. He later wrote two letters that appear in the New Testament to encourage the believers to stay true to the faith in an ungodly world.
This first letter was written near the end of Paul's ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. The main purpose of this letter was to identify problems in the Corinthian church, to offer solutions, and to teach the believers how to live the Christian life.
First Corinthians proclaims the importance of Jesus in every area of the believer's life. Paul explained to the stumbling believers in Corinth that they had great power if they would only use it: "We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God" - 1 Corinthians 2:12.
They could live for Christ because they had "the mind of Christ" - 1 Corinthians 2:16. Paul went on to assert that Jesus is living out His life through the church. Paul told the Corinthians that all belivers are the body of Christ, each being a different "part" with individual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1--14:40. When believers discover their gifts and use them in ministry, Jesus works through them to help draw others to salvation in Him.
Living for Christ in an ungodly world may not be easy, but you are not left without help. Through the Holy Spirit, you have "the mind of Christ." With His help, you can stand strong.
God Bless,
Dan
Corinth was the most important city in Greece during Paul's time. It was a hub of worldwide commerce, but the city was also filled with corruption, idolatry, and immorality.
Paul had founded the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey - Acts 18:1-17. He later wrote two letters that appear in the New Testament to encourage the believers to stay true to the faith in an ungodly world.
This first letter was written near the end of Paul's ministry in Ephesus during his third missionary journey. The main purpose of this letter was to identify problems in the Corinthian church, to offer solutions, and to teach the believers how to live the Christian life.
First Corinthians proclaims the importance of Jesus in every area of the believer's life. Paul explained to the stumbling believers in Corinth that they had great power if they would only use it: "We have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God" - 1 Corinthians 2:12.
They could live for Christ because they had "the mind of Christ" - 1 Corinthians 2:16. Paul went on to assert that Jesus is living out His life through the church. Paul told the Corinthians that all belivers are the body of Christ, each being a different "part" with individual gifts - 1 Corinthians 12:1--14:40. When believers discover their gifts and use them in ministry, Jesus works through them to help draw others to salvation in Him.
Living for Christ in an ungodly world may not be easy, but you are not left without help. Through the Holy Spirit, you have "the mind of Christ." With His help, you can stand strong.
God Bless,
Dan
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