Serving Christ in Healthcare Jake Olson

1 Corinthians 9

Just because knowledge might be true doesn't mean that it is complete or used lovingly. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. God would have us lay aside what we know we have as a "right" for the purposes of loving and building up others.

Paul's instructions on marriage are built upon the fundamental principle that our godliness is not based on the condition we find ourselves in but in our devotion to God. For this reason and others, Paul encourages us to remain in the conditions in which we find ourselves as believers.

1 Corinthians 6:12-20 reminds us that we are God's temple, doubly owned by God because he made and purchased us. We are to flee sexual immorality and strive to not be dominated by anything. Some things may not be sin, but are they helpful?

1 Corinthians 6:1-11 talks about lawsuits and begs the question of every believer: would you rather be wronged or defrauded rather than start conflict over what you believe you deserve? Our interactions with other healthcare workers demands an answer to this question often. When you are treated in a way you don't feel you deserve, do you start conflict and respond combatively to get what you "deserve" or do you suffer wrong for the sake of unity and peace?

In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul is addressing a specific situation of immorality within the church. His instructions can be extremely insightful for us on how we can engage with immoral people, even those who call themselves Christians, in our lives and workplaces.