But thanks be to God, who keeps giving us the victory through our Lord Yeshua [Jesus] the Messiah!  1 Corinthians  15:57, TLV

To Be Raised Incorruptible!        Wow! Paul’s first book to the Corinthians is saturated with references to the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy), the Prophets, and the Writings. Why? One reason is, well, he was a Jewish scholar. But mainly because most of his audience — his readers — were from a non-Biblical background, and as new believers their behavior was problematic. Divisiveness, sexual misbehavior, marriage problems, folks suing one another, disruptions during services, and the list goes on.

Um. Do these misbehaviors sound at all familiar?

Still, Paul addresses powerful messages such as this chapter. He explains the prophetic revelations of the resurrection.

… We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed—
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,
at the last shofar [ram’s horn/trumpet].
For the shofar will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we will be changed. (vss.51-52, TLV)

Not as ghosts or some aberrant being, but as we were truly meant to be. This is pretty heady stuff.

Here is an example of the challenges for those emissaries who went to the nations — the pagans, the Gentiles. These precious souls knew little to nothing of the very foundation of faith — the Torah, Prophets, and Writings.

“ … Therefore, I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God—but to write to them to abstain from the contamination of idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from ancient generations has had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in all the synagogues every Shabbat [Sabbath].” Acts 15:19-21, TLV

It was decided by “The Jerusalem Council” to not burden the new Gentile converts in Yeshua [Jesus] with the whole of Scripture (Genesis to Malachi), but to give them the basic Biblical truths as mentioned in the passage above. Then, gradually, as they attended Sabbath services they would learn more and more of the foundation of their new faith, from the books written by Moses — the Torah (Genesis through to Deuteronomy).

So, this chapter indicates that Paul has begun giving the new converts more and more of the foundation. He closes this chapter with a well-known benediction. A benediction we can all hold dear, that our victory lies with our risen Savior. Our Messiah has conquered death. And that’s worth dealing with the corruptible. Amen!

Think More About It

Do we sometimes try to inundate new believers with too much information? What basics do you begin with?

May we rejoice in helping the corruptible with the joy of the incorruptible, my friends.

Praying for Israel—Prayer Prompts

The Torah [Law] of ADONAI [the LORD] is perfect,
restoring the soul.
The testimony of ADONAI is trustworthy,
making the simple wise.
The precepts of ADONAI are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The mitzvot of ADONAI are pure,
giving light to the eyes.
The fear of ADONAI is clean,
enduring forever.
The judgments of ADONAI are true
and altogether righteous. Psalm 19:8-10, TLV

It’s important, I think, to declare the simple truths. Really, they might seem simple, but the reality is they are lifechanging. So, let’s speak these truths and rest in who our Abba is—even when things look so bleak. Amen? God bless you.