April 30, 2025 | 1 Corinthians 3:16-23

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DAILY READING

1 Corinthians 3:16-23

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REFLECTION

Church

By Todd Marti

This week’s readings have focused on individual believers becoming more Christ-like. Today’s reading continues that focus, but on a corporate level, as a/the Church.

That corporate focus is indicated by the Greek translated as “you” in verses 16 and 17; it is plural. See Youse, You Guys, Yous Guys, You Lot, You-uns, Yinz, You All & Y’all – 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.  Indeed, that is reflected in many English translations; they translate the Greek with plural references (“ye” in the King James, “you yourselves’ and “you together”  in the New International Version, “all of you together” in the New Living Translation). 

So what does today’s reading tell us about the Church? Two things jump out.

First and foremost, it shows that God desires the Church to foster ongoing, intimate, relationship with Him. Verse 16 tells us that the Church is where His Spirit should “dwell” “in” our midst. The Greek underlying those words communicates a rich relationship. To “dwell” is to inhabit, reside, settle, be fixed and operative in something. “In’ connotes mingling, being ingrafted, in fellowship and union with. God wants the Church to be the means for lasting, infusing, interaction with His people.  That sounds a lot like what Jesus was talking about in John 17:20-24. 

Also, the Church is to produce relationships between believers that transcend those found in the world. Verses 17 and 18 tell us that God desires that we exceed “the standards of this age” in our love. That’s consistent with Jesus’ instruction that we are to live so that people know us by our love for each other. John 13:35.  Its also consistent with the idea that we are to be mutually supporting parts of the same body, 1 Corinthians 12:7, 12-27; Romans 12:3-13,  and that we should “spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Hebrews 10:24. God does not want us to settle for superficial relationships, He wants us to go much deeper.

So what does this reading tell us about how we get there? Several things.

One way is through humility. We are to contribute to our Church communities without vanity or a puffed-up sense of our importance. None of us are too good to hang with and love on any other person in the church or to take on any task that builds them up. See verse 18 and James 2:1-9.

Another way is to ditch divisions and focus on the wonderful relationship we all share with Christ. See verses 21 and 22. We can’t let the tribalism of the culture at large or differences over such internal matters as worship styles or ministry focuses interfere with our relationships with our fellow members. What unites us—Christ and His love—is so much better than those things as to make differences over them immaterial. We are foolish to let those things get in the way of the loving relationships Jesus wants us to have with each other.

Finally, we are to fully engage in Church community. As verses 22 and 23 suggest, God wants us to make the most of what the Church provides in order to best distribute His love. That requires us to get off the sidelines and get involved.  Join a small group or jump into one of the many ministries at Mill Run and Lytham. Join in the prayer ministry that supports those in our midst who are hurting, rejoicing, or going through big things. Get involved with one of the external ministries UALC partners with. Those things build relationships that directly deliver the love God wants to flow through His church—don’t miss out on them.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for giving us your Church. Draw us fully into it. Don’t let pride, shyness, or differences hinder our giving and receiving all the love you desire to distribute through it. Help us to love each other fully. We ask this in Jesus all loving name.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

TODD MARTI

I have been connected to UALC since 2000 in various small groups and as a co-manager of the UALC Community Garden. I’m married to Kelly Marti, and the proud father of Sarah Marti. I am happy to be writing these devotions.

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April 29 | 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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DAILY READING

I Corinthians 1:26-31

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REFLECTION

The Perfect Need Not Apply

by Julie Ogg

Can you imagine a job description that went like this…if you find yourself to be foolish, weak, lowly, and despised, please apply within.  That would never happen!  It doesn’t make any sense in the world in which we live.  Who would apply for such a position?

God’s Kingdom has been called the Upside Down Kingdom or The Great Reversal and this passage in 1 Corinthians demonstrates why.  Paul makes it very clear that God does not base our worthiness on our merit but on Jesus’ finished work on our behalf.  As humans, we prefer to focus on our strengths, talents, achievements, and potential.  We are typically uncomfortable revealing our weaknesses except to a close few.  Imagine how freeing it could be to let down this pressure to perform when coming to our Heavenly Father and in the context of Christian community.  The world expects and rewards us when we have it all together but God embraces the totality of who we were and are knowing our deepest struggles and sins. He is not surprised when you fall short of who He created you to be.

Imagine what could happen if we lived like this was true.  Imagine the peace. Imagine the joy!  Imagine how we could be free to love others instead of judging while quietly despising ourselves for the same failings.  Imagine if we didn’t have to live up to perfection but could rely on someone who was, is, and will be perfect in every way and without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)  Paul wants us to realize that we bring nothing to the table when it comes to our relationship with Jesus.  We have no reason to boast.  Everything needed for our salvation is a gift from the One who created us and loves us.  He made a way for us to be in relationship with Him and with each other.  Verse 30 reads, “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God - that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.””

Pause and think about how your efforts to win God’s approval are weighing you down and creating a barrier in your relationship.  Confess the burden you’re carrying to Him and a fellow believer. Joyfully embrace the knowledge that Jesus covers you in His righteousness and you don’t have to hide!

PRAYER

Lord, let me rest in your finished work on the cross. Free me from trying to earn your love. Overwhelm my heart with your mercy and grace and give me freedom to extend that grace to others. Thank you for your sacrifice on my behalf. Help me to love you with my whole heart!

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JULIE OGG

I have lived throughout the Midwest, the last twelve years in Columbus with my husband, Dan, and dog, Lollipop. I love to cook, travel, read, garden, and spend time with our nieces and nephews. I am naturally drawn to the Old Testament, particularly the poetic and prophetic books. I am grateful to be a part of the community of believers at UALC.

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April 28 | Philippians 1:19-30

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DAILY READING

Philippians 1:19-30

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

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REFLECTION

Two Goals and Two Gifts

By Dave Mann

The Apostle Paul wrote these remarkable words to the believers in Philippi when he was in prison.  Most people in that time, who entered prison never lived to see the outside again.  So, Paul’s death was a very likely possibility.  The location of this prison could have been Caesarea or Ephesus, from which he did indeed exit alive.  Or, it could have been Rome, from which he went into heaven.

Read this passage again to gain another taste of the two goals between which Paul had to choose.

So that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death (v. 20).  Paul understands that we believers in Christ can give glory to God through Jesus both by living faithfully and by dying faithfully. 

For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain (v. 21).  If Paul lives, he is with Christ, partnering for the spreading of the gospel.  If he is martyred for the faith, he will be even closer to Christ – face to face with him in glory.

I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body (v. 23-24).  Paul does not know which he should choose – to die and go to heaven or to remain alive on earth to serve the Philippians and other young believers.  For Paul, both options have a lot going for them.

But there is one more verse that is truly astonishing.  Don’t miss the two gifts in verse 29.  For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.  Paul writes about two great gifts that God has graciously given to believers:

1. The gift of faith is to be forgiven and to believe in Jesus.

2. The gift of suffering for Christ’s name is to be joined with Jesus in this remarkable way as a martyr.

I doubt that, given our current life situation, any of us is likely to give our lives as a martyr for the faith.  But there are many locations in the world today where this is a possibility.  Nevertheless, we may have the opportunity to die to ourselves every day so that we might glorify Christ.  May Paul’s attitude rub off on us as we read God’s Word that came through him.

PRAYER

O Lord, I am amazed at the attitude of servanthood, martyrdom, and joy that you gave to Paul.  I desire that my heart learn from his.  May his heart be infectious, for Jesus’ sake, Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.

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