August 17
1 Corinthians 11:1-16
When you read this passage how do you initially respond? Do you feel like this is a repressive passage? Do you feel confused? Let us consider how to think through passages like this. Paul pointed out two specific things, one applicable to us today and one that no longer is to ground the way the church was to live. First, he points to the role of men in leading the church and the family. He grounds this in the creation order. This is true for all times and all places. He secondly highlights things which seem to be functioning as cultural symbols (hair length and coverings) of the leadership principle. They were ways to live out God’s lordship in the city of Corinth in the mid-1st century. We will likely not show the transcultural principle of leadership in this way, but it is critical that we think through how to live out God’s teachings in our world, in our day.
Leadership is an opportunity to pursue unity, love, and God’s glory. Men may have specific roles to play as leaders, yet all of us are to lead in a way that reflects God's leadership. All of us are called to lead others to Christ, to lead others in mentoring relationships, and to lead ourselves in making decisions that honor God. Also, all of us are to walk in humility knowing Christ is our ultimate head, leader, and king.
Father God, help me to walk in humility as you lead me and seek to be a servant leader to others. Amen.
How can we determine which commands in Scripture are applicable to us today and which were only for a specific time period, under a specific covenant, or a specific location?
When you read this passage how do you initially respond? Do you feel like this is a repressive passage? Do you feel confused? Let us consider how to think through passages like this. Paul pointed out two specific things, one applicable to us today and one that no longer is to ground the way the church was to live. First, he points to the role of men in leading the church and the family. He grounds this in the creation order. This is true for all times and all places. He secondly highlights things which seem to be functioning as cultural symbols (hair length and coverings) of the leadership principle. They were ways to live out God’s lordship in the city of Corinth in the mid-1st century. We will likely not show the transcultural principle of leadership in this way, but it is critical that we think through how to live out God’s teachings in our world, in our day.
Leadership is an opportunity to pursue unity, love, and God’s glory. Men may have specific roles to play as leaders, yet all of us are to lead in a way that reflects God's leadership. All of us are called to lead others to Christ, to lead others in mentoring relationships, and to lead ourselves in making decisions that honor God. Also, all of us are to walk in humility knowing Christ is our ultimate head, leader, and king.
Father God, help me to walk in humility as you lead me and seek to be a servant leader to others. Amen.
How can we determine which commands in Scripture are applicable to us today and which were only for a specific time period, under a specific covenant, or a specific location?
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