April 29. 1 Corinthians 4. Mark Seefeldt
Be a Fool!
Spiritual leadership tested and approved
There were apparently opinion leaders within the Corinthian church who were promoting following certain leaders over and against others. Paul earlier refers to the church as infants in Christ and that these divisions and quarrels were evidence of their spiritual immaturity. Some are even critical of Paul and were actively working to discredit him as an apostle and spiritual leader in the church.
These divisions have occurred within our fellowship of churches as well in recent history. We are certainly not immune to them. Church history is laden with factions and divisions, sometimes over rather petty issues.
In this chapter, Paul begins to defend his apostleship not by appealing to his authority, or by clever rhetorical arguments, but by his service and suffering.
“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. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.”
I would assume Paul’s detractors could not make such claims for themselves. Perhaps they were even living a relatively “comfortable” life in comparison. As Paul states:
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
Nothing but the cross
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2
Paul states the message of the cross is a stumbling block for both Jews and Greeks. It can be for me as well. When I would rather be liked and approved by people than God. When I find myself looking for ways out of service to God, my neighbors, fellow brothers and sisters. Living the message of the cross is rarely popular or easy even within religious circles. Perhaps that was at the heart of the divisions in the Corinthian church- struggling to maintain worldly power and prestige and the comforts that go with them. Let us be so warned today!
A Modern Example
In the early days of the Civil Rights movement in America, Martin Luther King Jr. was receiving criticism even within the leadership of the SBLC (Southern Baptist Leadership Convention). Even some within his own organization felt he was too radical, going too fast and far. They argued for a more patient and conservative approach. While MLK sat in the Birmingham jail he penned his now-famous letters. Below is an excerpt that I find relevant to the topic and prophetic in our day.
“Yes, these questions are still in my mind. In deep disappointment, I have wept over the laxity of the church. But be assured that my tears have been tears of love. There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Yes, I love the church. How could I do otherwise? I am in the rather unique position of being the son, the grandson, and the great-grandson of preachers. Yes, I see the church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists.
There was a time when the church was very powerful--in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being "disturbers of the peace" and "outside agitators"' But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were "a colony of heaven," called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be "astronomically intimidated." By their effort and example, they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests.
Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an arch defender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent--and often even vocal--sanction of things as they are.”
Let us be fools- Fools for Christ!!
The Nature of True Apostleship
4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 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 until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
6 Now, brothers and sisters, 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 be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 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 begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! 9 For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 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. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.
Paul’s Appeal and Warning
14 I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. 15 Even if you had 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 have sent 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. 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit.