Scripture to Read: 1 Corinthians 4:10–13
As God used Paul to lovingly rebuke the believers in Corinth, we read in 1 Corinthians 4:10, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.” God points out the contrast between their fleshly thinking and how mature believers see themselves. God had Paul mention how his dedication to Christ made him and others like him look like fools. God used Paul to show how foolish it was for the believers in Corinth to think they were more spiritually blessed than the apostles. God had Paul share the struggles he and the other apostles faced as they served Christ in 1 Corinthians 4:11: “To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless.” God had Paul explain how he and the other apostles suffered. The believers in Corinth didn’t want to consider that they might suffer as Christians. When suffering and persecution are mentioned, many Christians today want nothing to do with that side of Christianity. God had Paul continue in 1 Corinthians 4:12–13, “and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; 13 when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.” This is what our Lord Jesus Christ did when He walked here, and He expects us to do the same, living for Christ no matter the cost.
Challenge & Application
What is the problem with an apathetic, comfort-seeking mentality as a Christian?
How has God challenged you to live wholeheartedly for Him and obey His Word?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!