1 Corinthians 10:18-22 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?… I know of but one provocation that is commendable — the "provoking one another unto love and to good works." All others are to be shunned; and most of all that which provokes God. My text is in perfect accordance with that expression, "Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God." We "provoke the Lord to jealousy" — I. BY A WORLDLY SPIRIT. All through the Bible separation from the world is enjoined. God's Church is a peculiar people. But alas! it has become almost the common practice to aim to get rid of all that could be considered peculiar. II. WHEN THE OPPOSITION TO SIN AND HERESY CEASES TO BE MAINTAINED. "Curse ye Meroz." Why? Not because they had done any mischief, but because they were neutrals. Our Lord has said, "He that is not with Me is against Me." Oh! provoke Him not to jealousy. III. BY UNBELIEF. There are many of you that have had evidences which you could not controvert that you belong to God; but yet you have never owned it — nay, refuse to admit the fact, fear it is not for you. You reject the comforts: and this is "provoking God to jealousy." IV. BY LAXITY IN PRAYER. His kind invitation runs, "Draw nigh to Me, and I will draw nigh to you"; " Pray without ceasing." And what say our closets? V. BY DECLENSION FROM HIS TRUTH. This will follow laxity in prayer. Where the truth of God is undervalued, where the doctrines of God's grace are considered of comparatively little importance, we "provoke the Lord to jealousy." Nothing is more offensive in His sight than when "truth is fallen in the streets" and "cannot enter." (J. Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?WEB: Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? |
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