Some years ago a popular pastor told his congregation that Christians need to “unhitch” themselves from the Old Testament. His plea to his church and his listening audience was to put their focus mainly on Jesus and the New Testament because that Old Testament can’t really be trusted. Truth is satan loves to live in the realm of half-truths. Pointing people to Jesus, while telling them to avoid His words in the Old Testament, is actually turning people away from Christ. The Apostle Paul implores the Corinthian church to not be ignorant of the Old Testament. They must study it, know it, and learn from it so they don’t fall in the same way ancient Israel fell.

The Apostle Paul lets us peer into his heart as he gives several reasons why he’s foregoing his rights in the gospel. He voluntarily served the church in many ways, and yet he said he will receive his wages. What are those wages? He goes into details as he explains the paradoxes of his life. Winning for Paul was everything, and he shows us his seemingly unconventional way of attaining that goal.

In Revelation 5:5 Jesus is referred to as, …”the Lion from the tribe of Judah.” Isaiah 53:7 says, “He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Jesus is both the lion and the lamb, humble and courageous, gentle and fearless. As Christians we do well to learn from Him and emulate Him. Balancing boldness and gentleness is no easy task. It requires much prayer and continual submission to the Holy Spirit. May the Lord grant His Church wisdom to be courageous and meek before Him in these last days.

The Apostle Paul continues on into 1st Corinthians Ch. 9 with the theme of Christian freedoms. The scene has the feel of a courtroom setting. Arguments ensue as the Apostle hammers the church with questions. They have withheld what was rightly owed to him, and their mouths have been stopped. What is the Apostle’s response? He gives an unforgettable answer that surely leaves most scratching their heads.

The Apostle Peter in his final letter shares several crucial reminders for Christians living in the last days. His warnings culminate at the end of his letter with the warning of the great and terrible day of the Lord. A day in which the heavens, the earth, and ungodly will all be destroyed. In light of all these things Peter asks the question, “What sort of people ought you to be?

The Apostle Paul dives into the topic of Christian liberties as he introduces the topic of food sacrificed to idols. The Corinthians had knowledge in this area, but because it was void of love they once again were puffed up with pride. Paul implores the church to go the extra mile and show concern and care for the weaker brother among them. The applications of the text are numerous, and found underneath them all is one word—love.

The Apostle Paul gives 10 reasons as to why he believes singleness is the better option for those who were a part of the Corinthian church. He makes it clear it’s not a command but a deep felt desire he had for them in light of the situation of their day. After sharing his heart, he closes out the chapter with the humble words, “And I think I too have the Spirit of God.”

Sandwiched between a chapter all about marriage the Apostle Paul directs the Corinthian’s attention to their true calling in life. Socioeconomic status, ethnic identities, relationship status etc. all pale in comparison to the true calling upon the life of a Christian—knowing God and keeping His commandments. Paul wants the church to major on the majors and minor on the minors. May God help His Church today to do the same.

The word distraction can be defined as, “A thing that prevents someone from giving full attention to something else.” In our pursuit of Christ it’s easy to get distracted in the day and age in which we live. With so many things vying for our attention, it can make it hard to get alone and spend time with God. The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages 1st century Christians to fix their eyes on Jesus; to look momentarily to the saints of old, but to spend a lifetime gazing at the greatest treasure Jesus Christ.

In Matthew Ch.22 an expert in the Mosaic Law comes to Jesus to test him asking, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus responded to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.” According to Jesus, loving God with every part of your being is the greatest commandment. One may ask, “What does that look like practically in my life?” Here’s how one commentary puts it, “..to be willing to give up the life to Him, and to devote it all to His service; to live to Him, and to be willing to die at His command.” In other words loving God with every part of your being means emulating Christ in every way, and taking up your cross daily to follow Him. The Apostle Paul echos the words of Christ as he refers to love as “the greatest” in 1 Corinthians 13:13. With so many great and important things in the Christian walk, may the church never forget that love is the greatest.