Daily Bread 1 Corinthians 4
Daily Bread 1 Corinthians 4
Apostles of Christ
1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Observation:
There is another verse from the bible that says, “To whom much is given, much is required”. As we discover the secret things of God, the Good News of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, it is both a gift and responsibility. This Good News is not meant only for us, but for all men, women and children.
Paul says he cares very little about how he is judged by the outside world, and not even how he judges himself, but how he stands in the eyes of God. Someone has called this having an “audience of one”. Paul says even though he internally feels good about himself that doesn’t mean he is necessarily innocent.
Paul also points out that we should judge nothing until the appointed time. When the time of judgment comes, I am sure there will be some surprises. Some ministries we might think would be the most honored might not be, and a ministry maybe that was scarcely known might be deserving of the highest praise. Paul’s heart was set on one thing: running a good race and reaching towards the goal of his heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Application:
Are you someone who craves the approval of your peers or superiors? Do you look more for the affirmation of the world or God’s commendation, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Paul reminds us not to get prideful or start reading our own “press-clippings”. Each day we should set our sights on serving the One who gave all of himself for all of us, despite being rejected by His own people. When we look for applause on earth, we have received our reward in full. And yet, if we serve for the sake of the One who have his life for us, we will find an inner joy and peace that goes beyond human understanding that the world cannot give us.
Without trying to lay a guilt trip on you would you be ready for Jesus to return if he were to come back very soon? There is a funny t-shirt I used to wear, “Jesus is coming back soon, look busy!” Although there is humor in that, we would do well to remember what Paul tells us today, “Those who have been given a trust, must prove faithful.”
Prayer: Jesus thank you for revealing to us the secret things of God. Thank you for sending us fathers in the faith like Paul, who have shown us how to serve you not to receive the approval of men, but out of a desire to honor you. Help us to imitate Paul, as he imitated You, In Your name, Amen.
Apostles of Christ
1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Observation:
There is another verse from the bible that says, “To whom much is given, much is required”. As we discover the secret things of God, the Good News of the grace of God in Jesus Christ, it is both a gift and responsibility. This Good News is not meant only for us, but for all men, women and children.
Paul says he cares very little about how he is judged by the outside world, and not even how he judges himself, but how he stands in the eyes of God. Someone has called this having an “audience of one”. Paul says even though he internally feels good about himself that doesn’t mean he is necessarily innocent.
Paul also points out that we should judge nothing until the appointed time. When the time of judgment comes, I am sure there will be some surprises. Some ministries we might think would be the most honored might not be, and a ministry maybe that was scarcely known might be deserving of the highest praise. Paul’s heart was set on one thing: running a good race and reaching towards the goal of his heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Application:
Are you someone who craves the approval of your peers or superiors? Do you look more for the affirmation of the world or God’s commendation, “Well done good and faithful servant!”
Paul reminds us not to get prideful or start reading our own “press-clippings”. Each day we should set our sights on serving the One who gave all of himself for all of us, despite being rejected by His own people. When we look for applause on earth, we have received our reward in full. And yet, if we serve for the sake of the One who have his life for us, we will find an inner joy and peace that goes beyond human understanding that the world cannot give us.
Without trying to lay a guilt trip on you would you be ready for Jesus to return if he were to come back very soon? There is a funny t-shirt I used to wear, “Jesus is coming back soon, look busy!” Although there is humor in that, we would do well to remember what Paul tells us today, “Those who have been given a trust, must prove faithful.”
Prayer: Jesus thank you for revealing to us the secret things of God. Thank you for sending us fathers in the faith like Paul, who have shown us how to serve you not to receive the approval of men, but out of a desire to honor you. Help us to imitate Paul, as he imitated You, In Your name, Amen.
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