In 1 Corinthians 1, the apostle Paul tells the Corinthian church that they should not be choosing sides and boasting about which traveling preacher they will follow. Some are saying they side with Apollos, others with Paul, and others boast but still separate themselves and say they are better than others because they are just gonna follow Jesus! After all of this talk about divisions among them, Paul seeks to get their focus back where it is supposed to be in their lives: on Jesus. He is the reason you have a relationship with Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:3031 NET) They were being arrogant and prideful and fleshy in their love of their preference. They loved Paul, or Apollos, or whatever, even to the point of boasting that...
Jeremiah 2:32, 33 NET Does a young woman forget to put on her jewels? Does a bride forget to put on her bridal attire? But my people have forgotten me for more days than can even be counted. “My, how good you have become at chasing after your lovers! Why, you could even teach prostitutes a thing or two! (Jeremiah 2:32, 33 NET) First Jeremiah tries to compare Israel to a bride, which is a real surprise after everything else he’s been saying so far. The really cool thing is HOW he compares her to a bride. Does a young woman forget to put on her jewels? What is the point of her jewels? To ornament herself, to make herself beautiful, to show off her wealth, or her inheritance, or her rich lover? How do you spot a bride coming from a mile away? Does a bride forget to put on her bridal attire? By her smile or the marriage license in the groom’s back pocket? NO! By her dress! The...