Dear Cornerstone family,
For the last several weeks in our study of 1 Corinthians, we have addressed a number of difficult matters. Over the next several weeks, we will address several more difficult matters including sexuality, marriage, and singleness.
As we faithfully submit ourselves to the Lord’s teaching on difficult matters, it’s wise for us to remember that there will be times when something written in the Scripture or spoken from the pulpit will strike a tender place in our heart. Our hearts may be tender because the subject raises difficult memories or experiences, or revisits old wounds, or draws to mind unfulfilled hopes and dreams. Whenever that happens, please don’t avoid God’s teaching on the subject. Instead, strengthen your faith by praying through the difficulty remembering these three truths:
Everything your Heavenly Father speaks to you, he speaks in love (Romans 8:35, 37-39). As hard as the Lord’s instruction may be at times, imagine how much harder it would be if God was silent. Consider how discouraging it would be if the Lord was quiet on the matters that cause you the most pain. One of the evidences of Lord’s profound love for you is he addresses controversial, difficult, or sensitive subjects. He loves you enough to speak the truth in love to you.
God’s Word is designed for your profit (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Every single word of the Scripture is written for your benefit. The words that lift you up and of which you return to often as well as the words that bring conviction and of which you’re tempted to shy away from––both are custom crafted from the hand of God for your edification (Heb. 4:12).
Any pain you experience in the process of receiving God’s Word is designed for your healing, growth, and future glory. God is single minded in his mission: “After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 5:10-11). Receiving God’s Word with this mission in mind will help you gain from the Word all the benefits he intends for you.
With these words in mind, let’s prepare to worship the Lord.
Your servant,
