with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️The Apostle Paul in.this chapter gives an illustration of the history of Israel whom God delivered from Egypt. All were in with Moses, all crossed the Red Sea and drank fromthe Rock that followed them. But all disobeyed the Lord and all fell in the wilderness because of unbelief except for Caleb and Joshua who entered the promised Land. The Apostle points out that they were ensamples to us if we do not believe, we will.not make.it to the promised inheritance. The warning is to us Christians that idolatry, self-satisfaction that results in moral laziness, lack of control over sinful desires and sexual immorality will lead to destruction and death. All things are to be done to glorify God, so whether we eat or drink, let do that to glorify God and not to satisfy the sinful nature. So, as Christians, we can not drink the cup of devils and the cup of the Lord together.
*1️⃣1 Corinthians 10:1-12: The Israelites examples of faith and unbelief as God left them to die in the wilderness.*
⏹️Even when Israel were highly favored, to them were the promises, to them were covenant and blessings of the Lord. The Lord said to Abraham, *"In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, To your seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates"(Genesis 15:18).*
⏫All had been solemnly consecrated to Moses and to God, and had been under the divine protection and guidance, yet they displeased the Lord and sinned against Him,, did not obey His laws and all perished because of unbelief. The scripture says, *"And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did on the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses""(Exodus 14:31).*
⏫They enjoyed the privileges as provided them by God, they all ate the spiritual food manna , the food of Angels they drank from the Rock, Christ who was always with them but many were overthrown because of rebellion in the wilderness. The scripture say, *" He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he"(Deuteronomy 32:4).*
⏹️Their desire for forbidden things which were injurious to faith and body, their desire for food offered in sacrifice to idols led them to sin and ruin. They lusted after flesh and God granted them their desires and the consequence was a plague which destroyed multitudes. The Apostle John says, *"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world"(1John 2:16).*
⏭️The Apostle here reminds those of faith that sin is destructive, desire of lawful things as did Israel, lust of the flesh, sexual immorality and many evil desires will make a stumbling block to our faith and salvation, it does not matter for how long we have walked, baptized or fellowshipped with the Lord. The Apostle says, *"Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck"(1Timothy 1:19).*
*2️⃣1 Corinthians 10:13-22: Christians must flee idolatry, sexual immortality and partaking of idol sacrifices and fellowship in devilish festivals. God has offered us a way of escape for He will not suffer his servants to be tempted beyond their strength.*
⏹️In every temptation, God has made a way of escape, God is faithful to provide a way out of temptation. All diabolical temptations, evil communications such as come from Satan, who tempts us by soliciting to sin and by suggesting blasphemous thoughts, feelings,fears and doubts are all covered in the Scriptures and provided for us to find a way of escape. The Apostle Peter says, *"The Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust to the day of judgment to be punished"(2 Peter 2:9).*
⏹️The Apostle encourages us to flee from idolatry, flee from fornication and adultery, flee from dishonourable, pernicious, and abominable things, flee from all
appearance of evil, flee from partaking food sacrificed to idols, flee from idol temples, flee from any form of idolatrous worship which both defile the body and the conscience, flee from such partaking of the table of devils. The Apostle says, *"Abstain from all appearance of evil"(1Thessalonians 5:22).*
The Apostle John says, *" Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: but he that does evil has not seen God"(3 John 1:11).*
*3️⃣1 Corinthians 10:23-33: Not all are permissible, even lawful things should be done not to offend the conscience of others.but be a good example of faith.*
⏹️Every true and genuine Christian will seek the good of others, never do things to hate, grieve and weaken the faith of others that their conscience may be offended and grieved. The Apostle says, *"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption"(Ephesians 4:30).*
⏹️So, whether we eat or drink through the grace of God and partaking of every creatures God has given men to eat for their goodness, and.enjoyed by thanksgiving, that should glorify God in heaven. The Apostle says, *" Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God"(1 Corinthians 10:31).*
*🅰️Appeal*
Nothing must be done, be it worship, feasting, eating and drinking against the glory of God, and the good of our neighbours. Nothing should be done by us to offend any other being or person, be it Jew or Gentile or the church of God, everything should be done to glorify God. The prophet Isaiah says, *"And shall say, Cast you up, cast you up, prepare the way, take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people"(Isaiah 57:14).* Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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