1 Corinthians 4
I have often tried to help out with my
children’s sports teams. I’m not really coach material, but I like to assist if
I can. It is always a joy to help a child improve their skills or achieve something
they thought they couldn’t. However, the downside of coaching is that you often
run into players who think that they are far better than they actually are. These
players are often un-trainable because they already know it all … or at least
they think they do.
As Paul confronts the Corinthians he has
to confront them for having the opinion that they already know all there is to
know about the faith and they are living it perfectly. He is pushing back
against their pride and making them see that the Christian faith is not about
being honored, wealthy, powerful, or anything else the world would want.
He says, “This is how you should regard
us: we are servants of Christ and agents
of God’s mysteries.” In other words, he and his fellow works are clearly God’s
representatives to share the Gospel. And he probes the sore-point: “You think you are doing it all? You think
this is about power and prestige? You think this is about you? Let me show you
how God’s servants are regarded in this world!” He goes on to show himself uncaring
what others judge in him; God is his judge. He says he and the other apostles
are like men sentenced to death, a spectacle to all creation, fools, weak,
disregarded, hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, pushed around, reviled,
persecuted, slandered, and considered the scum of the earth. Yet they work hard
for the opportunity to share the Gospel, bless, endure, and exhort people to
believe in Jesus.
We, like the Corinthians might be more
interested in being rich and kingly (Verse 8 drips with sarcasm!), honored and
wise, and held in high repute. But this is not the way it is with servants of
Christ.
Paul is bursting our bubble here, too. He
is saying, “The world does not honor you? You face discomfort and difficulty
because of your faith? You are made fun of because of Jesus? Good! Because the
world wants nothing to do with Him, so they want nothing to do with you, His
servant.” Do not be ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for salvation
for all who believe – even people who want glory like us.
Lord, help me be humble and bear my cross as
Your disciple. Let me be unconcerned about the world’s judgment, and only
follow You. Amen.
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