Imagined Spirituality

The Corinthians had a high opinion of their spiritual maturity and standing in the Kingdom. They actually believed that they were more spiritual and insightful than the apostle Paul. Their self-confidence was based upon external accomplishments and experiences. Paul sets out to show that external things do not guarantee spiritual life and health, no matter how stunning and spectacular they might be. It makes no difference what exactly the Corinthians were looking at in their own experience that made them so self-confident, for whatever it was, Paul dwarfed it by the experiences of the Exodus generation. In this way Paul warns the Corinthians that externals mean nothing without true faith. The danger for us all is that we like to grasp onto externals and say that because the external is present it means the reality is present too. When we exalt externals, we undermine true faith, that is, we undermine a sustained, vibrant relationship with the Lord. Imagined spirituality does not feast upon Christ by faith, yet feasting upon Christ in our hearts is the goal. God warns His true children and they heed His warnings.