Apostles of Christ
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1 Corinthians 4:1-7
1. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4. I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5. Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God. 6. I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7. For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?
2 Corinthians 13:3-9,11-14
3. since you desire proof that Christ is speaking in me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful in you. 4. For he was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God. For we are weak in him, but in dealing with you we shall live with him by the power of God. 5. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you fail to meet the test! 6. I hope you will find out that we have not failed. 7. But we pray God that you may not do wrong -- not that we may appear to have met the test, but that you may do what is right, though we may seem to have failed. 8. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 9. For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. What we pray for is your improvement. 11. Finally, brethren, farewell. Mend your ways, heed my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13. All the saints greet you. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Paul has been away from the Corinthians for quite a while. He’s received reports that things are in pretty bad shape! Some of the folks in Corinth are claiming to have more authority than others—including the apostles. Some are claiming to have more knowledge and wisdom than others, and are holding Paul, Timothy and some within their community in contempt. Paul urges his beloved Corinthians to stop and think about how they’re acting. He reminds them that the gift of God’s grace and the knowledge of the risen Christ are gifts—not earned but freely given. For that reason, we are not to think too highly of ourselves. Instead we are to examine ourselves in terms of how we are using our gifts. And we are to love each other as family members—all of us children of God
If we forget the source of our abilities, we become cocky and arrogant. Paul reminds us that Jesus is the only one who deserves praise and recognition—he died in weakness, but rose through the power of God. If that is the source of Jesus’ power, which we claim to believe, then why are we bragging about ourselves? Even Jesus attributed His power to God! Are we above or better than Jesus?
Paul’s tone is one of frustration, disappointment, but with underlying love and urgency that the Corinthians get back on track. He doesn’t want them to miss out on the blessings available the those who are saved! He urges them to reconcile themselves to each other, submit to one another, and live lives acceptable to God, based on the example of Jesus Christ.
Tall orders! Paul knows and acknowledges that we will never be perfect! He doesn’t expect that and assures us that God knows we will never be perfect. But He does expect us to be good apostles of Christ, as Paul and the others are. We are to preach the Good News. If we do that as the focus of our lives, we won’t have time to focus on ourselves and how great we are! If we invest all our time and energy and expend all our giftedness on behalf of our brothers and sisters, we won’t have time to worry about the things of this world! We will be preparing for heaven—and bringing as many others along with us as we can possibly convert.
Like I said, tall orders! But if we look in the mirror of God’s love, and pray for the humility, strength and courage to live as true apostles of Christ, we will be rich indeed, “and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
I hope you spend your day figuring out how to be a good apostle of Christ—and then have the humility, strength and courage to live as one who is saved!
Mary
