The Apostles and Us

 

 

CSB17 1 Corinthians 4:⁹ 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, both to angels and to people.

 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 respond graciously. Even now, we are like the scum of the earth, like everyone's garbage.

 ¹⁴ I'm not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.

 ¹⁵ For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don't have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

 ¹⁶ Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

 

As I read this passage as part of a daily Bible reading group I am in, the Lord convicted me.

Often a part of me, a sinful part, wants to have the first place, to seek honor and respect and praise from people. But the apostles were treated like people in last place.

I often crave comfort, safety, ease, and worldly security. But the apostles faced constant danger. They suffered in many ways – even to the point of sometimes lacking food, water, shelter, and clothing.

We often seek ease and prosperity, they accepted hardship and poverty.

And yet, Paul was not writing this to shame us nor to complain about his own difficulties. He was writing to warn us against the temptation of shrinking back from God’s work for the sake of seeking comfort and safety. He was concerned that we might be more worried about our temporary needs than we are focused on following Christ. He was urging us to imitate him.

Why would Paul urge us to imitate him in a life that brought so much suffering and danger? Because Jesus is worth all that. Jesus is worth suffering for. The gospel is worth sacrificing for. God’s truth is worth facing danger for. Paul has his eyes set on  heavenly rewards and eternal glory and he is concerned about so many of us who are settling for temporary comforts and short-lived pleasures instead.

Lord, help us, help me, to imitate Paul and the apostles, and to imitate you, our Lord Jesus Christ. Help us to seek treasures in Heaven, and not trinkets on earth. Strengthen us to be willing to lose our lives so that we may find them. Forgive us for wanting to join the sinners at the front of the line instead of your most faithful servants at the back. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Hebrews 13:16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others . . .