April 8, 2016

I Corinthians 16:1–24

April 02, 2013

Paul finishes his letter to the people in Corinth:
"Be alert. Continue strong in the faith. Have courage, and be strong. Do everything in love." (Verse 13–14)
A few verses later Paul also includes a warning:
"If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be separated from God—lost forever! Come, O Lord!" (Verse 22)
What a contrast of statements. What a difference in realities. What we sow we reap. What we receive in this life and the hereafter is a direct result of the choices we make.
 
Blessings—verses—Curses 

I've just went back and re-read Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26. You can read what I wrote about those chapters here: Deuteronomy 28; and Deuteronomy 28 (Continued); Leviticus 26; Leviticus 26 (Continued); and Leviticus 26 (Continued). Why would you ever choose to live on the "curses" side of the equation? The simple answer all boils down to one thing: selfish pride and a refusal to surrender to God's authority. The rich young ruler obeyed the horizontal (relationship-to-man) commandments (5–10), but he could not bring himself to surrender to the vertical (relationship-to-God) commandments (1– 4).

While someone is still alive there is always hope. 
"But maybe the people will confess their sins and the sins of their ancestors; maybe they will admit they turned against me and sinned against me... if these disobedient people are sorry for what they did and accept punishment for their sin, I will remember my agreement... I am the LORD." Leviticus 26:40–45
Hope.  Until the final breath there is hope.


Next Entry: II Corinthians 1:1 – 2:4

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