Time to continue through the book of 1 Corinthians, as we look at 1 Cor. 4:6-13.
6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the saying: "Nothing beyond what is written." [b] The purpose is that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another. 7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn't receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn't received it? 8 Already you are full! Already you are rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and I wish you did reign, so that we also could reign with you! 9 For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: we have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; 12 we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world's garbage, like the filth of all things.
The Corinthian church, as Paul writes to them, is a hot mess. They've got more problems than the math portion of the ACT. In this passage, Paul addresses their pride. You see, they thought they were pretty awesome. They didn't realize that one of the possible causes for their division amongst each other may have been purely because they all thought they were really something. Paul questions what makes them so great, and then proceeds to switch over into some sarcasm.
He says, "already you are full, already you are full!" He then proceeds to ask when their reign as kings began, then how he wishes he could join them as rulers! Kind of typical, Paul and his sarcasm.
Continuing, Paul states some truth: people of Christ are at the bottom of the food chain for respect. Everyone is going to beat you down. Jesus has said it, and it's a point Paul gives a considerable amount of time to. It ain't easy to follow Jesus.
You will be ridiculed. You will be rejected. You will be unpopular and uncool. This is all fact. But we have back up.
Jesus intends to keep us strong. Through prayer and faith, we can find the strength to stay steadfast to the truth instead of crumbling under pressure. After all, it's only under intense pressure that diamonds are made!
Are you willing to let go of your pride? Are you willing to be a piece of garbage to the world? They say one man's trash is another man's treasure- are you God's trash or treasure?
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