It has been said that those who do not learn from history’s mistakes are bound to repeat them. Nowhere is this more true than in the church. All of biblical history has been given so that we may learn and live the abundant, godly life Christ makes possible.
The first part of 1 Corinthians 10 reminds us of that history. When God led his people in the exodus from Egypt, he was establishing the paradigm of salvation. All God’s saving work—even in our own lives—is like an exodus from slavery. In the original exodus, God led and fed his people. His Spirit, which was really the Spirit of Christ, was with Israel. And the same is true for us: The Spirit was given at Pentecost to lead and feed us—to guide us from our sinful past all the way to the Promised Land of the kingdom of God.
But look what happened in Israel’s history: Despite God’s very presence with his people, there was constant rebellion. The people complained and disobeyed to their own detriment. Paul says that history will repeat itself in today’s church if God’s people don’t actively follow his Spirit.
In Corinth it happened this way: Although the believers took communion and honored Christ, some were also engaging in their idolatrous past, taking meals in pagan temples which honored idols. These people wanted the best of both worlds. They even coined a little saying to justify themselves: “Everything is permissible.” In other words, Christ has led my exodus from slavery. I’m now free—completely free to do whatever I want.
Posted by Greg
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
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