The Way - Day 066 (1 Corinthians 4)

Pastor Tom's Journal on Today's Reading:
1 Corinthians 4
So far, Paul used this first letter to the church at Corinth to warn them against being loyal to mere human men. It seems that some individual men in the Corinthian church had developed personal followings (1:10-17), which had caused division within the church; in fact, the people were plagued with "envy, strife, and division" (3:3) and had abandoned the basic spiritual truths Paul had taught them when he first arrived in Corinth (3:1-2). Rather than being faithful to a man, Paul invited them to be faithful to the message of the crucified Christ which had been given to them by God. In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul taught his readers that himself and other men were merely workers for God and the only foundation worthy to be built upon was Jesus Christ (3:5-11). Paul builds on this principle he began to teach in the third chapter by using his ministry as an illustration. He writes, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful" (4:1-2).
Paul viewed himself and his fellow workers as simple stewards of the truths of God and he considered faithfulness as the most important quality. He knew that God would be the final judge of the work he had accomplished and "bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts" (4:3-5) and if there was any praise to be given, it would be given by God. Since what will be accomplished can only be done in the strength and power of the Lord, there is no room for pride in the church (4:6-7). Using a hint of sarcasm, Paul begins to give false praise to the church at Corinth, who thought that they were spiritually mature (4:8-10); in reality, the Corinthian Christians were consumed with carnality, selfishness, and pride. Paul challenged them to, once again, be faithful as he had been faithful to the work God had given to him (4:11-16). In order to help them return to the ways of Christ, Paul wrote that he was sending Timothy (4:17); furthermore, Paul warned that if the Lord willed, he would also return to them so that he could assist in bringing them to spiritual maturity (4:18-21). Much like the church of Corinth, we tend to stray from the ways of Christ, but may we allow Paul's words to the Corinthians serve as a warning against unfaithfulness.

Dear God, keep me close to Your ways so that I may be found faithful in the work You have given to me.