1 Corinthians 3 The Passion

The Church, God’s Inner Sanctuary

¹⁶Don’t you realize that together you have become God’s inner sanctuary^[i] and that the Spirit of God makes his permanent home in you?^[j] ¹⁷Now, if someone desecrates^[k] God’s inner sanctuary, God will desecrate him, for God’s inner sanctuary is holy, and that is exactly who you are.

True Wisdom

¹⁸So why fool yourself and live under an illusion?^[l] Make no mistake about it, if anyone thinks he is wise by the world’s standards, he will be made wiser by being a fool for God!^[m] ¹⁹For what the world says is wisdom is actually foolishness in God’s eyes. As it is written:

The cleverness of the know-it-alls
becomes the trap^[n] that ensnares them.

²⁰And again:

The Lord sees right through
the clever reasonings of the wise
and knows that it’s all a sham.^[o]

²¹So don’t be proud of your allegiance to any human leader. For actually, you already have everything! It has all been given for your benefit, ²²whether it is Paul or Apollos or Peter the Rock,^[p] or whether it’s the world^[q] or life or death,^[r] or whether it’s the present or the future—everything belongs to you! ²³And now you are joined to the Messiah, who is joined to God.

COME, Saviour Jesus, from above,
Assist me with thy heavenly grace;
Empty my heart of earthly love,
And for thyself prepare the place.

2 O let thy sacred presence fill
And set my longing spirit free,
Which wants to have no other will,
But day and night to feast on thee!

3 Henceforth may no profane delight
Divide this consecrated soul;
Possess it thou, who hast the right,
As Lord and Master of the whole.

4 Wealth, honour, pleasure, and what else
This short-enduring world can give,
Tempt as ye will, my soul repels;
To Christ alone resolved to live.

5 Nothing on earth do I desire
But thy pure love within my breast;
This, only this, do I require,
And freely give up all the rest.

A morning blessing

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Verse for Thursday

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The Problem with Pride

Bible in a Year:

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Proverbs 16:18

Today’s Scripture & Insight: Proverbs 16:16–2

People who achieve an extraordinary level of fame or reputation while they are still alive are often called “a legend in their own time.” A friend who played professional baseball says he met many people in the world of sports who were only “a legend in their own mind.” Pride has a way of distorting how we see ourselves while humility offers a realistic perspective.

The writer of Proverbs said, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (16:18). Viewing ourselves in the mirror of self-importance reflects a distorted image. Self-elevation positions us for a fall.

The antidote to the poison of arrogance is true humility that comes from God. “Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud” (v. 19).

Jesus told His disciples, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28).

There is nothing wrong with receiving accolades for achievement and success. The challenge is to stay focused on the One who calls us to follow Him saying, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (11:29).

Lord Jesus, give us Your humility as we interact with others today. May we honour You in all we do and say.