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January 27, 2023

What God Requires

Joel Bengbeng   |   Read 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

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Lectionary Week
January 23–29, 2023
Scripture Overview

We must beware of counterfeit gospels. According to one current counterfeit gospel, we deserve God’s favor based on our deeds or intellect or status. The readings for this week remind us that this is false. Yes, the Israelites offer sacrifices, but they are first and foremost called to show mercy because they have received divine mercy. The psalmist asks who can stand in God’s holy dwelling and so provides a list of ways to live morally. Ultimately no one can stand before God on merit alone. Paul reminds the Corinthians that human wisdom is foolishness compared to the wisdom of God, and thus we should not puff ourselves up based on our intellect. Jesus teaches that those who may seem insignificant in the eyes of the world are great in the kingdom of heaven.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Micah 6:1-8. How have you let down God? What changes can you make to recommit to your relationship with God?Read Psalm 15. Consider the notion that the requirements for dwelling with God are in how we treat our friends and neighbors. How does this change the ways you seek God?Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. When have you seen God’s work in the world in a way that is antithetical to human standards?Read Matthew 5:1-12. How do you maintain a poverty of spirit in your relationship with God? How does this help you to serve God and others?

Respond by posting a prayer .

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

26 Look at your situation when you were called, brothers and sisters! By ordinary human standards not many were wise, not many were powerful, not many were from the upper class. 27 But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise. God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong. 28 And God chose what the world considers low-class and low-life—what is considered to be nothing—to reduce what is considered to be something to nothing. 29 So no human being can brag in God’s presence. 30 It is because of God that you are in Christ Jesus. He became wisdom from God for us. This means that he made us righteous and holy, and he delivered us. 31 This is consistent with what was written: The one who brags should brag in the Lord!

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

I belong to an indigenous community that inhabits the mountains and hills in the northern part of the Philippines. Our ancestors were labeled as barbaric, demonic, ignorant, and foolish by Spanish and American colonizers and missionaries. Many of our people still suffer discrimination from the lowlanders. But even in our...

Almighty God, create in us hearts wide enough to accept and love without discrimination as shown by your Son Jesus Christ. In his name we pray. Amen.


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