1 Corinthians 4:7-21 Humbleness And Tenderness

Paul also wanted the church at Corinth to understand humbleness.  "Paul discovered that his spiritual strength was the result of personal weakness.  strength that knows itself to be strength is weakness; but weakness that knows itself to be weakness becomes strength ... There is no place for pride in the ministry."

He also wanted them to understand tenderness.  "Paul did not take credit for their conversion ... Paul was the 'father' who stood by and assisted at their birth."

He had founded the family at their church and he was an example to the family of what a godly man should be.  He was also faithful to discipline the family, it said in my commentary.

"A child's will must be broken, but not destroyed.  Until a colt is broken, it is dangerous and useless; but once it learns to obey, it becomes gentle and useful.  Pride is a terrible thing in the Christian life and in the church ... Paul had been patient with their disobedience, but not he warned them that the time had come for discipline ... A faithful parent must discipline his children.  It is not enough to teach them and be an example before them; he must also punish them when they rebel and refuse to obey ... They were puffed up and even proud of their disobedience ... Those who will not govern themselves must be governed."

Father, I pray that our church will be obedient and not have to face what this church faced -- discipline from You.

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Corinthians 4:1-6 Faithfulness

My commentary sees three pictures of ministry Paul wants the congregation to understand.  The first is faithfulness.  "Ministers" literally means "under-rowers" describing the slaves rowing Roman galleys..  They were not the captains of the ship.

He also uses the term "steward" -- a servant who manages everything for his master but who himself owns nothing.  His sole purpose is to please his Master.  Stewards are judged three ways, Paul said.  First by men, which isn't important.  Second, by his own self-judgment.  "Sometimes we do not really know ourselves."  Third and most importantly, there is God's judgment, through His Word and by the ministry of the Holy Spirit -- the main reference is to the final evaluation before Christ.

There was also a threefold rebuke to the congregation -- judging God's servants at the wrong time (it shouldn't happen until Christ does it), by the wrong standard (not by their own personal preferences and prejudices), and with the wrong motive (not promoting division in the church).

Father, please help me to let go of past prejudices against anyone who has served You.  You are the only one who should judge them.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford

1 Corinthians 3 -- A New Insight For Myself

Back on January 2nd, I read 1 Corinthians 3, and God so spoke to me, about what my Bible study once was, about what had changed and what caused those changes.  About how He intended it to be and what He'll be doing soon, and how I must shake off what has over the years adhered to me in order to get to where He wants me to be.  I was blown away.  I hadn't realized just how out of shape spiritually I'd become.  He gave me a training plan. I decided I needed to camp out in 1 Corinthians 3 for a while.  

The primary question my commentary found for this chapter was:  "How do we know when the pastor and church leaders are really doing their job?"  (I'm not by any means saying that I doubt they are.)

It then mentioned how Paul pointed out two different kinds of saved people:  mature and immature (carnal).  "The immature Christian lives for the things of the flesh and has little interest in the things of the Spirit."  Paul wasn't thinking about the recently-saved Christians.   These were Christians who should have graduated out of the basics.

One mark of maturity is diet, going from milk to meat.  In my commentary Wiersbe believes "milk" represents what Jesus did on earth (Bible stories), while "meat" represents what He is doing now in heaven.  And I think we should agree that what He's doing now is more relevant to us today.  Wiersbe calls it "living on Bible doctrine instead of Bible stories.

Another mark of spiritual maturity is practicing love and seeking to get along with others rather than disagreeing and fussing as young children do, it said.  An immature Christian put into a position of leadership can cause disaster.

Unity of purpose is vitally important to churches.  We are to all be part of the harvest.  It certainly wouldn't do to have someone ruining the harvest by cutting down the plants before they are ready.  My dad sure got onto us for chopping down a cotton plant accidentally while removing a large careless weed!

Diversity of ministry was also mentioned.  God uses those who plow the soil, those who sow the seed, those who water the seed, those who hoe the weeds, and those who harvest the crops.  We each have parts we have a natural love to do, and usually those parts are matched with our God-given abilities.

Finally, humility of spirit is mentioned.  For all our work, we cannot tell a seed when to sprout.  God does that.  He is the Lord of the harvest, not us, and we have to have humility.  He alone deserve the glory.

Father please remind me often of these things as I interact with those You've placed me beside in our church.  Help us all to work together for You.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford