Spiritual Reasoning

Introduction

The book of 1 Corinthians is a very practically focussed book.

It is full of answered questions and problems that seem to have come up in Corinth.

They questions and problems run a spectrum and so we don’t have one over arching theme except perhaps unity.

This isn’t a book that contemplates grand sweeping truths but rather one that applies those truths.

But Paul doesn’t just answer the questions, he shows them how to arrive at conclusions.

So that even if our questions aren’t identical, the reasoning provided here gives us the path to answer a continuing variety of questions.

Spiritual Wisdom & Worldly Folly

Follow the word wisdom through Paul’s argument (1 Cor. 1:17-2:13).

Now consider the word foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18-2:14).

This is not a matter of it being overly complex or even of it being overly simple (cf. 1 Cor. 5:2).

The world frequently says, “it’s as simple as this...”

But then they also refer to Biblical truths as too simple minded.

The point is not intellectual degree of difficulty, it is who knows best.

The world’s wisdom is not always lofty, it is often very very low.

This isn’t a matter of whether you use your head, but how you use it (1 Cor. 2:14-15; 10:25-27; 4:3-4).

Our efforts at growth can often be misguided because of this (1 Cor. 3:4-5).

Case Studies

How should we settle disputes between brethren (1 Cor. 6:1-11)?

This doesn’t mean that we never have any business with the legal system.

This DOES mean that men of wisdom within the church should be more active and competent to settle disputes with the education that God’s word gives them and they should be MORE capable than earthly judges.

How should we handle the complications of marriage (1 Cor. 7)?

Paul is talking here about difficult marriages, not ideal ones.

In that case the ideal is to avoid it all together.

But there are worse things than a less than ideal marriage.

But if you are in one, here is how you must conduct yourself.

If you have gotten out of one, here is how you conduct yourself.

The world would just say, do what makes you happy (that is worldly wisdom).

This chapter is much more complex than that but it is godly wisdom.

What about meat offered to idols (1 Cor. 8-11).

Just because you know something, that doesn’t make that the only consideration.

Consider how this is going to affect the people around you.

Consider what its like when you expect others to forego liberties for YOUR sake.

Consider that you aren’t as unaffected as you think you are.

After all of that, here are some fine distinctions to keep in mind.

What about spiritual gifts (1 Cor. 12-14).

Don’t be competitive about the gifts you have.

The way you treat each other will be of eternal importance while your spiritual gifts will pass away.

Now let’s think through what the point of these spiritual gifts is and how best to use them in an assembly.

What gets in the way of that purpose and what exalts and helps that purpose.

Conclusion

God doesn’t just give us conclusions.

He shows us how to draw conclusions.

Even when the conclusions are firm, there is a path to get there that is important.

Sometimes we think we are on the same page but when pressure comes, if we are taking different paths, we may not keep arriving at the same place.

So it is important that we not only concern ourselves with agreement in practice, but actually work to think the same ways (1 Cor. 1:10).

God doesn’t call you to come and follow a limited set of simple instructions and don’t worry about the rest.

He calls you to transform your whole life from the inside out. The way you think, act, and live.

So if you want a quick and easy way to rid your life of guilt, don’t come, but if you would surrender to a transformed way of life both mind and body, then come and answer the Lord’s invitation.