The Book of First Corinthians.
Chapter 4
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ,
and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.
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.
5 Therefore 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.
6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit,
so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying,
"Do not go beyond what is written."
Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
7 For who makes you different from anyone else?
What do you have that you did not receive?
And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?
8 Already you have all you want!
Already you have become rich!
You have become kings--and that without us!
How I wish that you really had become kings so that we might be kings with you!
9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession,
like men condemned to die in the arena.
We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.
10 We are fools for Christ,
but you are so wise in Christ!
We are weak, but you are strong!
You are honored, we are dishonored!
11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty,
we are in rags,
we are brutally treated,
we are homeless.
12 We work hard with our own hands.
When we are cursed, we bless;
when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly.
Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children.
15 Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ,
you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.
17 For this reason I am sending to you Timothy, my son whom I love,
who is faithful in the Lord.
He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus,
which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.
19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing,
and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have.
20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.
Questions to Ponder: Who is Paul speaking to? Why is the church instructed to, "not go beyond what is written"? Has God entrusted you with secrets things? Do you feel like your faith is being tested? In what ways? Are you blessed with monetary wealth and currently live as a king? Or are you being persecuted for your love of God and experiencing the loss of family, friends, and work because you are actively sharing the gospel? Do you love your enemy and respond with kindness even though you are being attacked or have you adopted "worldly behaviours" and respond with angry or revenge?
My Prayer: O Lord, teach me how to obey your commands to love my neighbour and my enemies. I am so quick to angry and frustration - please heal my heart and sanctify my soul. I pray that you will give me the strength I need to withstand future persecutions - that you will equip me to bless others - even as they curse me - and that I can learn how to respond in kindness when my enemies rise up against me and slander my name. Thank you for entrusting me with your secrets and choosing me to serve you. I am forever your humble servient. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
My Prayer: O Lord, teach me how to obey your commands to love my neighbour and my enemies. I am so quick to angry and frustration - please heal my heart and sanctify my soul. I pray that you will give me the strength I need to withstand future persecutions - that you will equip me to bless others - even as they curse me - and that I can learn how to respond in kindness when my enemies rise up against me and slander my name. Thank you for entrusting me with your secrets and choosing me to serve you. I am forever your humble servient. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.