Blessed Hope Bible-Presbyterian Church
500 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678106
The Apostle Paul explains to the believers in Corinth that God’s is in charge of advancing His work of saving souls and speeding them on in the journey of faith. It is God who by His mercy called him to this work. It was not on his own volition. It is God who directed and bring about spiritual progress in the work of the gospel.
The Apostle Paul knows that his name was used by those in the Corinthian church to sow discord and disunity by this deliberate attempt to form factions and create cliques. He reasons with them that ministers like himself are servants of God, entrusted with the spiritual mandate to fulfil the Great Commission. He serves his Master, Jesus Christ. They are to follow him as he follows his Master Jesus Christ.
The Apostle Paul is asking a rhetorical question. The answer is “yes.” Some believers in Corinth were indeed spiritually immature, unable to grasp the deeper meaning of Christian consecration involves sacrificial service and devotion.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
18 Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion. 19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God. 20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.
The Apostle Paul wisely observes the spiritual state of believers in Corinth by describes their tell tales signs of spiritual immaturity. He tells them unapologetically of envying and strife and divisions among them.
The newborn baby like the newborn believer is fed with milk so that it may grow. However, the child that has come of age like the older believer that has come of age must be able to eat meat for his spiritual nourishment. However, the situation is such that for some believers, observed the Apostle Paul, they are unable to take meat even though they have been believers for a time. What is the reason? Spiritually, these believers are not growing. A sad observation.
The Apostle Paul describes the Christians as carnal in that they are spiritually immature. It does not mean they are not saved. He uses the term “babes in Christ” to denote those who are not growing spiritually but are still spiritual babies. It is sad to see malnourished children who are not growing because of the lack of nutritious food intake. He is using this as an illustration to describe those who cannot accept the instruction that a spiritual man will need.
Acts 9:12-20 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
God’s Call to Christian Service
The call of God separates a man to salvation. The call of God also separates a man for Holy service for His Lord. The Apostle Paul was saved and commissioned by Christ, he met Christ on His eleventh and final appearance recorded in Acts 9:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 15:8 “And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time”, on the road to Damascus persecuting the early church two years after the Ascension (Acts 1:9). He confessed receiving the call to be the last Apostle of Christ and his unworthiness in 1 Corinthians 15:9 “For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.” He was a fierce persecutor of the early church. He witnessed the martyrdom of Stephen, for Saul, his Jewish name, was consenting unto Stephen’s death (Acts 8:1).
The mind of Christ finds its storehouse in the Word of God. The psalmist expressed this well when he speaks of the efficacy of God’s Word to guide him along life’s pathway – Psalm 19:7-14 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. 12 Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults. 13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. 14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.