Each of us has a call on our lives to go into the world and make disciples. If we call ourselves followers of Christ, then we need to be actively following Him where He is calling us. Are we walking in this calling? To truly walk out the call God has placed on our lives we must obey His commands, looking at our lives to see where they don't align with His Word.

Paul was pointing out to the Corinthians that as a body they had taken on the culture of their society. They were affluent and materialistic. Paul wasn't saying that the things they possessed were evil but that they had become self-consumed. Their own desires were their first pursuit. They were lacking a love for others and therefore lacking an impact on their city. Paul went on to describe his life and the life of a true disciple. It wasn't so much that he shunned the comforts of this world but that he was so focused on God's kingdom they weren't a thought in his mind.

Paul addressed the issue of authority at the church in Corinth. There were those who had misused authority to take advantage of others. Scripture teaches that those with true authority are those who are under authority. God uses others to speak in to our lives showing us areas that haven't been surrendered to the Cross of Christ. God has given us all spiritual wisdom. This wisdom is born through embracing the Cross in surrender and humility.

It is God's desire that we all come to spiritual maturity, but many Christians today remain spiritual infants — depending on others to feed them rather than feeding themselves, crying and whining to control others, not working or reproducing. Satan, sin and self are the biggest hindrances to spiritual growth in our lives. God gives us a desire for spiritual maturity, but we cling to sin or strive for victory in our own strength. It is God who brings the growth. God doesn't want our flesh to take any part in the victories in our life. He alone gets the glory.

In 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to a church out of order and out of sync with God. He greets them knowing that God is faithful to complete the work He has started in them, but there are issues that need to be addressed. There are times when rebuke and correction are necessary. Sin left unchallenged will continue to grow. Paul's first and primary concern is division — not sexual immorality, drunkenness, or other sins that had arisen in the church. Division starts in the heart and results from walking in the flesh and relying on ourselves rather than being Spirit-filled and Spirit-lead.

In 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to a church out of order and out of sync with God. He greets them knowing that God is faithful to complete the work He has started in them, but there are issues that need to be addressed. There are times when rebuke and correction are necessary. Sin left unchallenged will continue to grow. Paul's first and primary concern is division — not sexual immorality, drunkenness, or other sins that had arisen in the church. Division starts in the heart and results from walking in the flesh and relying on ourselves rather than being Spirit-filled and Spirit-lead.

In Genesis, God's creation had become corrupt, so He had to destroy it. In the New Testament, what was meant for God's glory — the temple and the priests — had become nothing but dead religion, so it had to be destroyed. Jesus came to establish a new temple. We are God's dwelling place — His holy habitation. Scripture is very clear that the Lord will destroy that which destroys His temple. This doesn't mean that God is out to get us, rather he wants to cut off those things that corrupt what is holy.

Much of the spiritual activity in our lives — the "God stuff" — often feels like pushing boulders uphill or spinning plates. We are doing so much work in our own strength while trying to also manage all the "other stuff" in life. This divided mentality is works-based, and it leaves us wearied, discouraged, and often feeling guilty. Jesus doesn't want us to live this way. He calls us to live in His grace, to live all moments as holy moments. He calls us to live in his 'Shalom', His peace. Christ makes the mountains low and straightens our path. We don't have to push uphill.

As Saul, Paul was an up and coming leader, a man of ambition and recognition; but when he came to Christ, he came humbly — not seeking recognition or followers. His focus shifted from himself to bringing glory and honor to Christ. The church is to be built upon the foundation and person of Jesus, not on the personalities of men. Paul lived in a place of complete dependence upon God. Many of us, if we were honest, trust ourselves more than we trust God. Some of us will even lean on Christ a little bit, treating him like an assistant or consultant, wanting Him to help us help ourselves.

The problem with serving is that we don't always want to do it. A true servant heart comes when we identify with the greatest servant of all, Jesus. We must understand the judgment seat of Christ. He is not out to punish us, but wants to commend us for our service here on Earth. When we have this understanding there is spiritual fruit that will be evident in our lives. A servant doesn't care about reputation. They care more about what God thinks of them than what others think. A servant does not become frozen with self-doubt and introspection.