I have found many people are aware and identify with the INFANTS at Corinth, those still stuck on milk, and they don't see this as a problem. They identify with rewards being lost, but still being saved as though through fire. But if people really know the whole story about the Corinthian church, they would be much more concerned and actually distance themselves from the INFANTS.In this episode we will start with the end of the books and work backwards. Hindsight truly is 20/20. When you look at the danger the church was in and the warnings God gives to them, people tend to slow down in jumping to conclusions and firmly holding on to faulty beliefs. Working backwards we point out the following aspects of this church, including the most revealing at the end (or beginning of 1 Corinthians) where we find out the full disclosure of who these infants actually were and the danger.2Corinthians:ch13 - Previously stated a second time and now a third, Paul will not spare those who sinned and still haven't repented (carryover from ch 12)ch13- commands them to examine (test) themselves to see if they are even in the faith, unless the fail the test and are disqualified. Although Paul was being accused, he says that he does not fail the test even though there were those who were apparently claiming Paul was disqualified.ch12 - Paul says he is afraid that he will still find sin in the Corinthian church (strife, jealousy, tempers, disputes, slanders, gossip, arrogance ....ch 11 - Paul is afraid they will be deceived by the Devil, just as Eve, and accept a different Jesus, Spirit, and gospel that was preached to them, because they were currently accepting / tolerating these lies. He warns them against those who had come in and trying to be regarded as Paul in their preaching. Paul says they are false apostles, servants of the devil, disguised as servants of righteousness and not to listen to them.ch 10 - Paul says they will punish all disobedience once the church finally gets obedience (we will see there were many pockets of problems in the church)ch 7 - Paul pleads with them to make room in their hearts for them, that Paul didn't wrong anyone or take advantage. He says he does not regret causing them sorrow, because the sorrow was a godly sorrow that lead to repentance leading to salvation (this is a follow up from his first letter, but as we already saw from the end of this 2nd letter the problems still persisted within the church). He says we are to perfect holiness in the fear of Godch6 - He begs and urges the church to NOT receive the grace of God in vain. He says the church is not restrained by Paul, but by their own affections. He then commands them they must be separate and holy.ch5 - He warns against those in the church that take pride in outward appearance vs the inward condition of the heart. He says they are to become a new creation, to become the righteousness of God in Christ.ch 4 - Warns about those who are perishing because the veil still lies over their heartch 3 - Some of the Corinthians were referred to as a letter of Christ written not with ink, but the Spirit; not on tablets of stone, but of the human heartch2- need to be careful about the schemes of the Devilch 1- As God is witness to Paul's soul, he came again to Corinth NOT to SPARE them.1 Corinthiansch15 - Some needed to STOP being deceived, awake to righteousness, and STOP sinning, they had NO knowledge of God. Some also had a vain, worthless faith. To others he said they are being saved, IF they hold fast the word preached to them, unless they believed in vainch13- Some who speak in tongues, prophecy, have knowledge, know the mysteries of God, have all faith, give all their money to the poor, and willing to give their life .... He says their life is NOTHING and of NO PROFIT. I wonder why? Paul says he is NO LONGER an INFANT. No longer does he thing, (continued)
