1 Corinthians 4:1-5 says...
Today's verses are 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, which read,
v.1, 2 - Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
Paul's name, along with others, has been used as a tool of Satan to foster pride in the church among the Christians that has caused divisions. He is still working on this issue. Paul labels himself as a servant and a steward and not a savior or a status symbol. The word "servant" literally means "under rower." It is a working position on the ship of a slave who is not even on deck rowing but with the crew that is under the deck rowing unseen. He is willing to take any position under Christ and in that position he is also a steward. He has a responsibility to unlock the mysteries of God by telling them about Jesus Christ.
A person who does such a thing needs to be found trustworthy. Trustworthy implies more than just words but the whole of life. You have seen and heard this person's actions and words and they measure up to be someone who is trustworthy. You have spent some time with them or you are well-read of their material in many different avenues to say that they are trustworthy. What they are speaking to you is in line with the way they are living. These are the type of people Paul is saying to the Christians in Corinth that they should be getting instruction from, willingly humble and trustworthy in life.
v.3, 4 - 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.
Paul is doing a comparison here. It is not that he is above being examined by the world or by other people but in comparison to being examined by Christ, those human examinations are nothing. I would think that many of the human examinations of Paul would be for him to stop in the face of persecution or to tone down his message of Christ to attract more followers.
Paul also examines himself and is not aware of any wrong doing by his own assessment at this time but his own examination is inferior and under submission to the examination of the Lord. The Lord does examine us and His evaluation is to mean more to us than any other influences in our lives. What God thinks and says and does matters above all else in the life of the Christian.
v.5 - 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.
I think this is a great verse in regard to the church in Charleston last week that received a storm through a man who shot and killed 9 in a Bible study/prayer service. What is coming out of the church is not judgment or condemnation but forgiveness and a calling to repent. What we do know as sin is based upon the Bible and we know what we need to do with sin and that is to repent and confess that Jesus is Lord. That is what that young man needed to hear from the church and God would take care of the rest.
God will disclose at the proper time the good and the bad of our hearts. If someone is a servant and steward of God in the most trustworthy sense, they will be rewarded. How much greater will that reward be coming from the One whose assessment and evaluation is above any that man could give?
As Christians, many times we have valued the praise and evaluation of man over the praise and evaluation of God. Man's opinion has been the guiding factor rather than the Word of God. I fear that this is about to happen again in our country through the Supreme Court. We are relying on polls to guide us and not the principles of God's word. A country can do this but the Christian, no matter where he or she lives, can not.
"Lord, we repent of all the times that we have allowed the thoughts and opinions of man to stop us from obeying You and Your commands. We repent of seeking man's approval as a greater reward than following Your trustworthy word. To be an under rower of God has more benefits than being the captain of the world's ship and a responsibility that is greater with telling the world about You and not ourselves. Amen."
Pastor Adam
v.1, 2 - Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
Paul's name, along with others, has been used as a tool of Satan to foster pride in the church among the Christians that has caused divisions. He is still working on this issue. Paul labels himself as a servant and a steward and not a savior or a status symbol. The word "servant" literally means "under rower." It is a working position on the ship of a slave who is not even on deck rowing but with the crew that is under the deck rowing unseen. He is willing to take any position under Christ and in that position he is also a steward. He has a responsibility to unlock the mysteries of God by telling them about Jesus Christ.
A person who does such a thing needs to be found trustworthy. Trustworthy implies more than just words but the whole of life. You have seen and heard this person's actions and words and they measure up to be someone who is trustworthy. You have spent some time with them or you are well-read of their material in many different avenues to say that they are trustworthy. What they are speaking to you is in line with the way they are living. These are the type of people Paul is saying to the Christians in Corinth that they should be getting instruction from, willingly humble and trustworthy in life.
v.3, 4 - 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.
Paul is doing a comparison here. It is not that he is above being examined by the world or by other people but in comparison to being examined by Christ, those human examinations are nothing. I would think that many of the human examinations of Paul would be for him to stop in the face of persecution or to tone down his message of Christ to attract more followers.
Paul also examines himself and is not aware of any wrong doing by his own assessment at this time but his own examination is inferior and under submission to the examination of the Lord. The Lord does examine us and His evaluation is to mean more to us than any other influences in our lives. What God thinks and says and does matters above all else in the life of the Christian.
v.5 - 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.
I think this is a great verse in regard to the church in Charleston last week that received a storm through a man who shot and killed 9 in a Bible study/prayer service. What is coming out of the church is not judgment or condemnation but forgiveness and a calling to repent. What we do know as sin is based upon the Bible and we know what we need to do with sin and that is to repent and confess that Jesus is Lord. That is what that young man needed to hear from the church and God would take care of the rest.
God will disclose at the proper time the good and the bad of our hearts. If someone is a servant and steward of God in the most trustworthy sense, they will be rewarded. How much greater will that reward be coming from the One whose assessment and evaluation is above any that man could give?
As Christians, many times we have valued the praise and evaluation of man over the praise and evaluation of God. Man's opinion has been the guiding factor rather than the Word of God. I fear that this is about to happen again in our country through the Supreme Court. We are relying on polls to guide us and not the principles of God's word. A country can do this but the Christian, no matter where he or she lives, can not.
"Lord, we repent of all the times that we have allowed the thoughts and opinions of man to stop us from obeying You and Your commands. We repent of seeking man's approval as a greater reward than following Your trustworthy word. To be an under rower of God has more benefits than being the captain of the world's ship and a responsibility that is greater with telling the world about You and not ourselves. Amen."
Pastor Adam
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