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June 29, 2017

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 1 Corinthians? Here’s today’s reading:

1 Corinthians 4 (ESV)

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

6 I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?… Continue Reading

*If you click “Continue Reading”, you will leave this page and navigate to “bible.com” where you can read the rest of the chapter. Be sure to come back to this page to share what God has revealed to you by commenting below. 

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This Post Has 4 Comments
  1. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

  2. “But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

    A warning to believers who take it upon themselves to judge the motives of another of Christ’s servants, and a hopeful expectation of righteous judgment for those believers whose motives ARE being judged. And I love Paul’s humility here, where he says he is not aware of anything amiss in his motives, yet he realizes this doesn’t acquit him. He awaits that day when the Lord returns to judge him. This is so hard for me when my motives are judged. I react instead with great defensiveness!

    Heavenly Father, forgive me for any judgment I make, even subconsciously, of the motives of a brother or sister in Christ. Put to death the ugliness and deception of any self-righteousness that may be alive in me. Like Paul does here and Jesus did before him, help me to not react in anger when I believe I am being wrongly judged, but to look forward to the righteous judgment that awaits us all when Christ returns. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

  3. One thing that has always struck me about 1 Corinthians 4, is the evident disdain by fellow-believers that is being projected on the apostles for the persecution and suffering they are enduring.

    ” 8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
    9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
    10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
    11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
    12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
    13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.

    This says to me that material wealth, health, and “blessing” does not necessarily equate to approval from God. As I am reading through the book of Revelation, I see that Jesus has nothing bad to say to the persecuted church of Smyrna.

    Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
    11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

    We should not interpret the prosperity of the American church as blessing from God. I fear that the accommodating nature of many evangelical churches (to supposedly draw people to Christ) puts a church in the lukewarm camp. As we stand for God’s word and the testimony of Jesus Christ, as John did….we should probably not be surprised if the approval we receive from God is persecution.

  4. Oh how easy it is to fall into a pattern of judging others, presuming why they are doing what they are doing and treating them with disdain if only in your mind. It is so easy to function from our perspective rather than the Lords. I share in Michelle’s prayer above!

    And don’t miss that Paul mentions that they have become a spectacle to angels. This is one of handful of verses that allude to our lives having influence in the realm of the angels. Us glorifying God and discrediting Satan’s accusation against Him. And may I do as Paul..when cursed, bless….when persecuted, endure…when slandered, answer kindly. That sounds like Jesus, doesn’t it. May He increase, and me decrease!

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