Principles for Christian Living

Studies in 1 Corinthians Series [43]1 Corinthians 16:13-14

May 31, 2015Pastor Paul K. Kim

FIVE CULTURAL TRENDS/INFLUENCES IN TODAY’S WORLD

• Trend#1: “Don’t worry, be happy.”

• Trend#2: “Keep your beliefs current and relevant.”

• Trend#3: “Play it safe and just go with the flow.”

• Trend#4: “Be strong in your abilities.”

• Trend#5: “Follow your heart in all things.”

In fact, when we listen to the church today, at least in the West, we are often left with

impression that Christianity actually has very little to do

with truth. Christianity is only about feeling better about

ourselves, about leaping over our difficulties, about being more

satisfied, about have better relationships, about getting on with

our mothers-in-law, about understanding teenage rebellion,

about coping with our unreasonable bosses, about finding greater

sexual satisfaction, about getting rich, about receiving our own

private miracles, and much else besides. It is about everything except

truth. And yet this truth, personally embodied in Christ, gives

us a place to stand in order to deal with the complexities of

life, such as broken relations, teenage rebellion, and job

insecurities. David F. Wells

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING AMIDST THE PRESSURE OF CULTURE

PRINCIPLE #1: Be WATCHFUL—rather than being in a spiritual stupor.

13 Be watchful... (v. 13)12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed

lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12

8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

1 Peter 5:8

One of the primary causes for the Corinthian problems was a state of stupor in their pride; so is ours in today’s world.

The only remedy is to wake up to our need by humbling ourselves before the Lord—to be vigilant in spiritual battle.

Jesus himself commanded us to watch and pray BEFORE we get into a situation of temptation.

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING AMIDST THE PRESSURE OF CULTURE

PRINCIPLE #2: Stand FIRM in the faith—rather than being tossed back and forth by the cultural waves.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith... (v. 13b)7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith...

Colossians 2:7a14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.Ephesians 4:14

Notice the article “the” faith—it is not any faith but the faith in Christ; but that we are to anchor in THE GOSPEL of Christ.

The remedy is that we become rooted firmly in God’s Word.

Hence, our conviction in the authority and sufficiency of Scripture as well as our daily intake of God’s Word is critical.

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING AMIDST THE PRESSURE OF CULTURE

PRINCIPLE #3: Act like men [with COURAGE & MATURITY]—rather than playing it safe and avoiding responsibility.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men... (v. 13c)6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of

them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6

 20 Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

1 Corinthians 14:20

The Septuagint [Greek translation of Hebrew OT] uses this word primarily NOT for style but for desired character traits.

The character traits are mainly courage and maturity.

Hence, this is applicable to all of us—it is a call for us to take courage with mature responsibility and prudence.

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING AMIDST THE PRESSURE OF CULTURE

PRINCIPLE #4: Be strong [IN THE LORD]—rather than in your own abilities.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. (v. 13c)

1 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:1

 14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner

being.Ephesians 3:14, 16

The command is to be actively passive—i.e., be strengthened in the Lord and by his might.

Hence, it is far from worldly self-confidence or self-reliance.

We are to be strengthened by the strength of God through surrendering and relying on the Holy Spirit within us.

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR CHRISTIAN LIVING AMIDST THE PRESSURE OF CULTURE

PRINCIPLE #5: Let all that you do be done in love—rather than merely following your heart.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love. (vs. 13-14)1 This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.

1 Corinthians 8:1b7 Love bears all things, believes all things,

hopes all things, endures all things.1 Corinthians 13:7

Notice the word, “ALL”—this means that love must never be an extra peripheral thing but an all-encompassing way of life.

Even the previous four commands must be DONE IN LOVE.

In the end, this is what Paul depicts to us: True spirituality embraces both toughness of truth and tenderness of love.

THREE PRACTICAL QUESTIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE

1. In what ways are you more convinced of your need for practicing these five principles for Christian living amidst the pressure of culture?

2. What would it mean for you to seek vigilance and stability in your Christian life?

3. What would it mean for you to seek maturity, strength, and all-encompassing love in your Christian life?