I'm Only Human

“I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.  And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh.  For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in human way?” -1 Corinthians 3: 2-3 

There was this popular song that goes, “I’m only human, born to make mistakes.”  As a Christian in my younger years, I felt that I am but a helpless victim of being a human whenever I sin. Though I will not admit it before, it was but a perfect excuse to say that my sin is not fully my fault, but a default of my humanity. 

As I grow in faith, I realized that my sinful nature must no longer be my claim.  I have been alive again in Christ, and so even I am still in the flesh, God has given me everything I need spiritually to live in righteousness.

Paul reminded me of this fact when he spoke to the Corinthians about their infancy in Christ. He told them that he cannot address them as ‘spiritual people’ but as people of the flesh.  How did Paul classify these Christians in Corinth as people still living in the flesh? 

1.  "For you were not ready for it" v. 2

Paul had been patiently teaching them the elementary truths of Christ but is also longing and willing to give them more revelations so they can grow in faith. However, it seemed that these Christians are not yet ready for the ‘meat,’ for what is seen in the way they live. They have received the Spirit, yet their behavior dictates otherwise. 

Refusing to grow from the stage of Christian infancy is one way to reflect and question the proof of one’s salvation. If I am really called by God, why then am I aloof of the things of God? Why am I blocking the light brought into my soul?  Why am I not contemplative on the sentiments of the truths told?

Spiritual hunger is one measurement of maturity in faith - knowing that the Word of God will benefit one's life more than anything else. This hunger is a desire to know more of God not just in knowledge, but in readiness to be counseled, to be convicted of sin, and to an expectation to be changed by the Spirit.  

"Spiritual hunger is one measurement of maturity in faith - knowing that the Word of God will benefit one's life more than anything else."

2.  "Jealousy and strife" v. 3

When we have success in our doings, to whom do we give credit it? When everything else do not go our way, what do we do about it? How do we take it? 

Paul pointed out that to behave in jealousy and strife is ‘of the flesh’ and ‘behaving only in a human way’. He must be meaning to say that human nature (sinful nature) is in no way an escape to respond or act in a manner that displeases God. 

Believing that God ordains everything and knowing that He is aware of the situation of all, there is no reason for me to feel uneasy, insecure, and upset if things do not go my way. If I really trust God’s providence, I must battle with my anxiety and know that God is with me. If my brother lacks anything, then I must be more than willing to fill the void, for I myself have been filled willingly and graciously by God and others. If I am suffering, I will remember that God is my strength. Jealousy must be overcome with trust in the Lord that the state I am is where He wants me to be.  Strife must be overcome with love knowing that God has shown love to me even in my most difficult and loathsome self.

"If I really trust God’s providence, I must battle with my anxiety and know that God is with me."

Paul did not deny the spiritual gifts that the Corinthians received, however he reminded them that If success comes, it is not because they are wise with their dealings, but it's because of God’s mighty hand. Even if they have labored, the growth was not because of their work but ultimately because God brought growth -be it materially or spiritually. 

So then let it be a reminder for me, that through God's sufficient grace, I will continue to work out for my salvation on the foundation that the Lord Himself had laid upon for me. I may struggle in my humanity but His power is made perfect for my weakness.

Turning the World Upside Down

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“And when they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some of the brothers before the city authorities, shouting, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also,” Acts 17:6

To “change the world” - is the ultimate goal of a revolutionized mind. History tells us that many people brought in ideas that had uplifted things from the way they were. Some strived to change cultural views, others discovered new technologies, while a number of them pioneered genres in music, sports, and fashion. Change might have come, but it didn’t really come throughout the world. Influences might have been great but not too great to affect the whole world, in all its areas and all people.

Except for a time in history, when two men from Israel, namely Paul and Silas, came to Thessalonica for a purpose that would change the world, not just in their time, but through all time.  They were marked as “men who have turned the world upside down,” (Acts 17:6) which proved to be true at a later time, despite having the statement’s initial intentions to mean in a dissentient way. Both Paul and Silas were early converts of Christianity, who with other disciples, traveled around the world for a divine purpose. 

Christians are called to make a difference in this dying world, which is to become salt and light in it. Corporately, as His church, we must take part in this calling. It would be hard, wearisome, and could be lingering, too. Take the case of Paul and Silas, they were driven out, threatened, and mocked when they took a step of faith.  But God has come before any persecutions they would ever encounter. He promised that He “will be with them always.”  Certainly, He had prospered their mission despite opposition.  Soon enough, people in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria have come to know the faith.  And as these Christians live and die for their faith, the gospel was preached and believed to the ends of the earth. 

But how did they do it? The whole book of Acts narrated it all. However, chapter 17 pieced it into two initial but major tasks:

1. Proclaiming Jesus is Christ.  The Scriptures say that for three Sabbath days, Paul reasoned with both Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica, "explaining and proving to them that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead,” and that this Messiah was Jesus. People were expecting a Messiah, but a very different one from what God has prepared. They were expecting a great and glorious king, but not someone who will have to suffer and die. But as Paul establishes through the Scriptures that this suffering and triumphant Messiah is Jesus (RSB commentary), many were persuaded and believed. From that moment on, Jews and Gentile God-fearers, including "leading women”, became those earliest Christians who joined Paul in this gospel quest. 
   
   
2. Standing against all ungodliness. Paul’s zealousness in proclaiming the gospel was not restricted to that task alone.  But it was also tied with admonishing wrong beliefs and practices of religion. Paul even went as far as feeling provoked (Acts 17:16) on the idolatry of Athens.  Sadly, getting “provoked” to unbiblical practices nowadays is negatively received even in evangelical circles.  Most Christians dispose of tolerance even to those absolute, obvious disobedience, which then they interpret as the more “Christian way” than laying down reproof and correction. Paul expressed an unambiguous point when he brought up Athen’s idolatry.  His tone is straightforward.  He has but one clear objective, and that is to turn their eyes to Jesus. His provocation was turned into an instant gospel-preaching session.  He did not delay and withhold anything.  He toppled their objects of worship brazenly and proved their “wise quotes” (v. 28) untrue unless it is directed to the Lord of heaven and earth. He did not play safe— never ever.  Instead, he was always discerning and deliberate. He delivered God’s message for what it is. 

Are we called to change the world? No. But just like Paul and Silas, we were called to proclaim the gospel that brings salvation to mankind. The world may be subject to vanity (Romans 8:20) but the message that we have brings hope for future, eternal glory to a spiritually dead damned soul— there’s no other change in the world ever more needed than that!  This is the mission and purpose of every Christian. It is not simply a challenge but a command to obey. Our Lord has given us the power to perform this task (Acts 1:8). So it is not whether you can do it, but will you do it? Will you join us in turning this world upside down?

A Year of Tribulations

Now that a new year has come, our hopes are renewed for a better life. We think of prosperity, for smooth relationship paths, promotions, and pleasant ministering experiences. We humbly ask God to favor us this year and to bring good things in our way. As Christians, we know no other means more fitting than depend on God and faithfully hope that He would look upon us with mercy. 

When we look to the future, all is but vague hues of expectations and aspirations. The details of our lives are so uncertain. It is only but natural to hope for beautiful things, but these hopes become wrong when it eventually translates to entitlement. It seems as though, when problems, sufferings, and persecutions come, God is against us. And instead of looking to God more eagerly, we look the other way. We dissolve in sorrow and waste away in our anxieties. 

Acts 14:22 reads, 

“…strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” 

Christians are called to go through tribulations as we enter the kingdom of God. It was not an unsettled and ambiguous statement of Paul, but rather an incontestable reminder for us to be prepared. However terrifying this may be, this passage is afloat of two encouragements for us.

1. A Determined Path. 

When tribulation comes to us, we are instinctively distressed about it. But when we look into this passage, we know that tribulations were already set upon Christians to walk into as we live our faith in Christ. If we suffer in this life and approach it in the attitude of Christ, it is almost as if we see ourselves walking with Christian in Pilgrim’s Progress through that "straight path" to Celestial City. So in one way, we may be distressed but we also rejoice in suffering and persecutions knowing that we are in the path where God wants us to be. Only true Christians would understand this state of emotions.

2. A Determined Destination. 

This is the greatest comfort and joy we must hold onto. Our journey might be hard and full of defiance, but the Lord had already gone before us - not only that but He had set our destination. 2 Corinthians 4: 17 says, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Our future dwelling is in heavenly realms with our Lord God. And "He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4). We will behold God’s glory and enjoy our fellowship with Him and His saints forever.

Today’s future must prepare us for tribulations. But let us not shrink back for we are also assured of God's grace. Paul charges us to “continue in the faith” for he knew that God is the One who will sustain us throughout our journey. May it be our encouragement that every step we take brings us nearer to our ultimate future- our future glory with Christ our Lord.