2022_05_13 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- 1 Corinthians 3-4
We have been reading in 1 Corinthians about of the condition of the church in Corinth. This week, Paul calls the believers out for not living according to God’s Spirit but following worldly ways instead.
“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly-mere infants in Christ…. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” 1 Corinthians 3:1 & 3.
With the jealousy, quarreling and divisions in the church one may think that these worldly people were not Chrisitians. Yet Paul addresses them as ‘brothers and sisters’ in verse 1. These believers were aware of the things of God and even so, were living by the flesh in some very significant ways.
Paul helpfully outlines three categories of person for us:
- The person without the Spirit who has not accepted Christ (1 Corinthians 2:14).
- The person who is a believer and still following the world (1 Corinthians 3:1).
- The person who is Spiritual and has the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:15).
I’m guessing that we all would want to identify with person #3, not #2 from this list. Having the mind of Christ and living by the Spirit is a continual journey marked by an increasing awareness of God in every part of our lives. Commitment to growth and change is the key from taking us from living by the flesh, to having the mind of Christ.
Let’s take a moment now and ask God to help us reflect on our hearts through the following prayer of Examen. The Examen is a 500-year-old prayer practice that helps us to slow down, look up and ask for God’s power to transform us. It can be prayed at the end of each day, week or used in prayer whenever needed.
Prayer
Father, show us the condition of our heart in Jesus name…..
HONESTY- “God, have I been honest with myself and others this week? Have I spoken truthfully?”
HUMILITY- “God, have I promoted myself this week? Been self-pitying or looked for praise from others?”
LOVE- “God, have I thought of others and acted without my own personal gain this week?”
PURITY- “Have my thoughts and words been jealous, critical or distrustful?”
Spend a moment bringing these things to God in confession and thank him for his mercy and forgiveness.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead