“All things are yours!”

In this season of Lent, its important to remember that the more we grow, it is to the glory of God and not ourselves. Furthermore, even though this is a season of external giving-up, it results in spiritual gain.

1 Cor. 13:16-23
“Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him; for God's temple is sacred, and you are that temple.
Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.”

Okay so, I really liked this reading from the Epistle today – it reminds me of God’s inward dwelling presence in us through the Holy Spirit; Which is another mental block against giving into temptation and succeeding in testing – we bring the presence of God with us wherever we go.

But not so fast, Paul smacks us back down to earth before we get too full of ourselves “Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight.”

I often think of the times when tempted we try to rationalize our disobedience or sin. I know I am taking this verse someone out of context, but I do try to get “crafty” with God when I make an excuse for what I did or am about to do that I know is wrong. With God’s presence comes God’s conviction. I also love that Paul declares “So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours!”

It reminds me that Giants in the Faith became that way because of God. Not that their efforts and lives shouldn’t be admired or modeled, but rather that it should not lead us either into false pride in ourselves, or even worse – the fear that we are worse off than a Paul, Apollos or Cephas and inferior. Yet the phrase “All things are yours!” reminds me of the parable in which all the laborers get paid the same even though they worked for different durations of time. It reminds me of Christ’s “So what is it to you?” rebuke to Cephas when Cephas got jealous that John was set aside to see the revelation.


In this period of time we make strides to obtaining “all things”. The body of Christ should not be a place of division or jealousy, but of joy, peace and sharing. Pray for peace and reconciliation – true humility and joy for me and each other and I’ll do likewise. God bless and keep you!