November 24, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in selections from 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:
1 Corinthians 4 (NIV)
The Nature of True Apostleship
1 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me............Continue Reading
What a privilege it is to be a servant of Christ and may our actions and words cause people to recognize that…and may we not wish to be regarded as anything else. And with Jesus as our judge, assessor of our lives, we don’t need to be concerned about the assessments that other people make of us….what freedom is found in that! And what a day we have just celebrated that reenforces that all we have has it’s source in someone else…God mostly and past generations as well. How thankful we can be for all we are and have and trust God to add or subtract as He sees fit. And once again I am struck by the sacrifices Paul and the other apostles made for the gospel of Jesus and for the church. May whatever reputation we have amongst people not be based on compromises we make, but be based on the kind of people God would want us to be….likely a balance of being respected and yet rubbing people the wrong way….
I have lived through chapter 4. Terrible few years. People were following a charismatic leader instead of Christ. I called it out. And was alone for a few years. The church became divided and its doors were shut 150 strong to 0. Because people were looking horizontal not vertical. Love verses 3-5. I care very little what man thinks. I only care if I’m doing the will of my father. And he will judge and expose the hearts of all. I hope it’s not a big screen for everyone to see. Yikes. What a wretched man I am. But I have been saved!!
1Corinthians 4
Pride is a struggle for many or dare I say all of us in one way or another. Whether it be we forget God and think we can go it alone or when we do so much for God we think that makes us better than those who do less. Paul is showing them there is honor in humble service and the benefits reaped are no those of riches or recognition but rather the glory we bring to God. This world may despise and reject us for what we believe or what we speak but as long as we are right in God’s eyes that is our prize.
1 Corinthians 4-6
1 Corinthians 4
1 Corinthians 5
Satan and our flesh can even use service to God to cause someone to be puffed up. Sometimes when someone says, “oh, that’s great that you do that, thank you for doing that.” I really don’t know what to say. “God told me to,” still doesn’t sound very humble.
I think we might begin to see more and more that we will NOT be praised for our good works, or that good will become evil and evil good. It’s all getting twisted.
“For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.”
This chapter made me think of the “we are just unworthy servants” verses….
“And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ ”
I guess that would be a good one-line answer to praise for good works. “We are just unworthy servants doing what is our duty to do.” Of course, there is joy in serving the Lord….not just duty.
We really don’t have anything to boast about, all that we have has been given to us by God. Therefore, God is the one to be praised for all that we have. It sounds harsh the way the apostles were treated. They are a good example for us when we are persecuted for our beliefs. They endured it humbly, and they did not lash out in anger at the ones doing it to them. Paul did not want to shame the people, shame is something that can render someone useless to do the things of God, but giving a warning will allow for them to heed it and act accordingly. The Corinthians are to listen to the apostles and ones they appoint as teachers, not the ones who are preaching for their own benefit. Paul is consistent in what he teaches to all the churches, and he sticks to the message of the way of life in Christ Jesus.