Led Astray

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[a] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.                                                                 I Corinthians 15:33-34

 

The power of peer pressure cannot be underestimated. There is a deep need inside us to belong. Many times we go along with others, not because of any personal investment in the right or wrong of what we are doing, but because of our need to be accepted by those we are with.

 

When our conscience tries to tell us one thing and we ignore it then we are listening to a voice that, for the moment, is louder. Over time we find the voice of our conscience gets softer and we may even find ourselves enjoying behavior that at one time was distasteful to us. This is a degradation of our moral character.

 

Paul tells us to wake up and stop going along in the sinful patterns our companions have drug us into. We need to ask ourselves, “Where is the voice of God in this?” If we cannot tell or cannot say with confidence that He is right beside us, then we need to stop what we are doing.

 

Society views us as innocent or guilty by association of those around us. We may need to find new friends; people of integrity. We become like those we spend time with. We should find someone we admire and hang out with them. People will assume the behaviors of our companions are ours as well.

 

My husband is a very friendly, likeable person. Many people think I am friendly and likeable, too, since I am married to him. The truth is that I had precious few friends before I met him. I am an odd duck with unusual interests and I find it hard to relate to people on my own. He is an invaluable help to me in social situations.

 

We should not be content with mediocre companions to go through life with. We need to make time to find the best; people who will improve us as a person and a follower of Christ. The opposite of what Paul says in this passage is also true. Good company builds good character.

Danger and Death

Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”                                          I Corinthians 15:29-32

 

Christianity is a risky business. When you stand with Christ, His enemies are your enemies. You are in danger. You are a target. Our enemies will come at us in any way they can. They will attack our livelihood, our reputation, our well-being. For some of us, they will take our lives. From the very beginning, disciples of Jesus have been killed for their faith and it will not stop happening until Jesus comes again.

 

However, there is no need to fear the attacks of the enemy. The simplest solution to the fear of martyrdom is to give our lives willingly. In another of Paul’s letters he speaks of being crucified with Christ (Gal. 2:20); in another he writes of giving his life as a burnt sacrifice (Rom. 12:1). The enemy cannot take what we have already given freely.

 

If our life is not our own then it matters little when it ends. We know that our life will not end until the time appointed by God (Heb. 9:27). What good does it do to fret over when that will be or how it will come about? Scripture tells us not to fear the one who can destroy our natural bodies, but rather to fear God who can destroy our body and soul in Hell (Matt. 10:28).

 

The secret to an anxiety-free life is to live every day as if it is our last. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow, but focus on the trouble that each day brings (Matt. 6:34).

 

Neither should we worry for our loved ones who have died. Our concern or actions on their behalf do not affect the inevitability of their own resurrection. When Christ defeats the final enemy of death, He does it for them as well.

 

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

I Corinthians 15:55

The Last War

Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. I Corinthians 15:24-28

 

There is a conflict raging, a war being fought every minute of every day. Our glorious King Jesus is attacking His enemies on every front in order to root out all who do not recognize His right to have power, dominion and authority over all things. This right to reign was given to Him by His Father, the Creator of all things. When the war is over and He has conquered the final enemy, death, Jesus will give His kingdom back to His Father in homage to Him. “For from him and through him and for him are all things” (Rom. 11:36).

 

When we face the enemies of Christ in our lives, whether it be sickness, loss, want or abuse, it helps to know that we have Jesus fighting on our side. Not only will he stretch out His hand to restore, but He also uses even the bad things so they work for good in our lives (Rom. 8:28).

 

In my own experience, one of the greatest benefits of life’s pitfalls is to remind me of my need for a Savior. When I am sick, it reminds me that I need a Great Physician to heal me. When I am betrayed or manipulated, it reminds me of my need for a Protector. It is a healthy realization that I am not invincible; I am not God.

 

Yet Jesus beckons me to join in His fight and bring restoration to this world in any way I can. Should I win a crown for anything I accomplish, I’ll lay it at my Lord’s feet, even as He will lay His crown down at His Father’s feet. And the righteousness and holy one shall reign supreme forevermore.