To: God's church in Corinth and to all
On whom the name of Jesus call.
From: Sosthenes, and in his scrawl,
with grace and truth, Apostle Paul.
You're rich in gifts, filled to the brim.
Your strength from fellowship with Him.
But are you fighting with your brother?
Have no division with each other.
It doesn't matter who's your preacher.
We all are following one Teacher.
Our message, foolish to the lost,
To praise a man killed on a cross.
But man's intelligence turns sour.
We know the cross show's God's true power.
It pleases God for recompense
A way the world thinks don't make sense.
The world's made knowledge deified.
But God's wisdom was crucified.
Did God choose you cause you were great?
More likely so there's no debate.
When you succeed, don't be adored.
Let glory belong to the Lord.
I came in weakness, not with brains.
So all your faith in God remains.
We value wisdom, just not man's.
The secret wisdom of God's plans.
No eye has seen, no ear has heard
God's plans for those who love his Word.
Revealed by God, we know because
We know because the Spirit does.
It's not by senses we have learned.
These things are spiritually discerned.
But since there's jealousy and strife,
It's clear the flesh still rules your life.
God gave me seeds, told me to sow.
But only God can make them grow.
Once true foundation has been laid,
Accepting Christ, your debts are paid.
Then what you build, create, or birth -
The meaning of your life on earth.
Your work pours from your heart's desire,
And Judgment Day's refining fire
Reveals eternal quality,
Or worldly, base frivolity.
So if your work is for the Lord
You will receive a big reward.
But if, when judged, your works combust,
You will be saved, but only just.
A servant, then, is duty-bound,
And always must be faithful found.
Our mission is not to indict.
The Lord will bring the truth to light.
As motive of each heart surveys,
He'll give, as due, each soul his praise.
What's pride but misattribution?
Praising man for God's contribution.
You think that you know everything.
Who went and died and made you king?
The world gives Christians no regard.
God values what the world discards.
You're proud? There's sin. Do you not know?
A little yeast works through the dough.
Cast out immoral men and grieve.
- I don't mean those who don't believe.
But those inside the brotherhood.
If they love sin, throw out for good.
If Christian One takes Two to court,
Does that our claim of peace support?
Don't let disputes become prolonged.
Just do the right thing and be wronged.
You once were wicked, but were washed.
Makes ure all sin in you is squashed.
You're one with Jesus, therefore flee
All sexual immorality.
God bought you, and at quite a price
Your body isn't meant for vice.
It's good if you abstain from sex,
And live for God in all respects.
But if temptation seems to great,
Let every person find their mate.
So wife to husband, husband-wife,
Share bodies like you share your life.
No matter what your status is.
God called you, now your life is his.
The cares of life of most import:
Keep God's commands - for life is short.
Let's take a moment to speak of
What knowledge is compared to love.
While knowledge puffs your chest way out,
Love builds up someone filled with doubt.
Example on which can be chewed
Is idol-designated food.
You know that idols are not real.
But what's a weaker person feel?
They may see you and think it odd.
Unsure if you serve only God.
Your knowledge knows that food is fine.
But Love puts others first in line.
Be careful exercising rights
Does not for others cause more plights.
Now preachers have a right to pay.
But blessed if they preach anyway.
While athletes win a prize that rots,
Eternal life with God does not.
Know there are people God has saved,
But does not like how they behaved.
'Cause they love idols, booze, and sex,
Complains 'bout how God directs.
From them you see what not to do.
Look out for traps to fall into.
Though tempted by the flesh's sway,
Seek God and you can get away.
Flee idols and avoid their feasts.
Do not join demons with God's priests.
We have such freedom, all is God's.
All is permitted that him lauds.
The question ain't "Is this allowed"
But "Is it loving?", as you've vowed.
Keep customs of propriety.
Keep union nad sobriety.
When you commune as one big church,
Be earnest as your heart you search.
The Spirit has not any rifts.
There is one God, but many gifts.
Like wisdom, knowledge, mighty deeds.
Like prophesy, the faith one needs,
Discerning spirits, healing pain,
To speak in tongues, or to explain.
The Spirit works as he decides,
Through Christians in whom he abides.
You're in the body, not in charge.
Don't worry if your part is large.
Each part has its own part to play
'Cause God arranged it that-a-way.
What God has joined let no one split.
Share pain and joy when you're close knit.
Yet with all gifts from up above,
You still gain nothing without love.
Love is patient, love is kind.
Your past mistakes it does not find.
Love protects and perseveres.
It trusts and hopes, with truth it cheers.
Love does not seek itself the most.
It does not envy, does not boast.
Love never fails, is not provoked.
It does not need its ego stroked.
When all is known, we see the scope.
These three remain: faith, love, and hope.
To speak in tongues, to God you cry,
But prophesy with edify.
All sorts of tumult you must cease.
For God brings order, God brings peace.
Now don't lose sight of the main point.
Just as foretold, God did anoint
The Christ to die and be revived.
Appeared to hundreds now alive.
If this were not true, we'd be toast,
And Christians would be pitied most.
This life, if that's it, one might think
Let's party now, just eat and drink.
Don't be misled, bad company
Corrupts good character in thee.
For as in Adam none survive,
The risen Christ makes all alive.
The physical is made from earth,
And it has no immortal worth.
To live forever we must wear
The clothes of heaven Christ prepared.
Stand firm and never go astray.
Work for the Lord will always pay.
Collection for the saints who lead.
Protection for the servant, heed.
Stay strong, stand firm, and be on guard.
Have courage, and love when it's hard.
Devoted ministers are prized.
Such servants should be recognized.
All those who hate the Lord, dismiss.
Believers greet with sacred kiss.
© 2024 Jotham McCauley TheBibleRhymes.com