Beyond the Gospels: Corinthians

Today's Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:9-16
[Click above to read the passage online.]

Paul continues his discourse on authority and God-ordained order in the church.

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;

for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman.

And all things are from God.

1 Corinthians 11:11-12 ESV

Men and women inextricably linked in reflecting God's image to the world. Woman came from man, but now every man comes from a woman. However, the most important point: All things are from God.

As Creator, God established order for His purpose and His glory.

Who are we to question or turn upside down what He brought into existence?

Every time we mess with His created order, we dishonor Him and minimize who He is in the eyes of the world rather than glorifying Him as we are called to do.

The church seems to be lacking in true fear of the Lord. For this reason, I believe we take His ways and Word too lightly. We've forgotten who He is.

In chapter four of the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar, who took Judah into exile, gives a national proclamation recounting his personal experience with the Most High God. Nebuchadnezzar's testimony reveals that God, in His grace, brought him to a right understanding of who He is and who he was before Him. 

At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven,

and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High,

and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion

is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation

to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,

and he does according to his will among the host of heaven

and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand

or say to him, "What have you done?"

Daniel 4:34-35 ESV

All inhabitants of the earth account as nothing... He does according to His will... none can stay His hand... or question His actions.

This is the foundation for a proper fear of the Lord. This is an understanding that protects us from neglecting His Word and His created order.

Where do you stand when it comes to fear of the Lord?

Or do you find yourself face down on the floor before Him?

Father God, bless me with a proper fear of You.

I do not want to forget who You are or who I am before You.

For the Lord is God, and he created the heavens and earth

and put everything in place. He made the world to be lived in,

not to be a place of empty chaos. "I am the Lord," he says,

"and there is no other."

Isaiah 45:18 NLT