what we have received (d.chang ch. 4)

the first thing paul mentions is that we should be seen by man as "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God," which i think is pretty funny because a steward is kind of like an employee who spreads something or is in charge of bringing something to someone, and it says that we should do this with the "mysteries of God," which is something that we can't even grasp. we are chosen to bring to people things that we ourselves don't even know. we know of God's power, but it's still a mystery. it's still fresh and exciting, and that's kind of the way it should be.

so paul says that men should see us as servants of Christ, but then he says that it's still a really small thing what men see, because what really matters is what God thinks. paul believes this so much that he doesn't even let himself judge or justify himself, which is pretty amazing. he doesn't even care what he thinks about himself, just what God cares. so if he is dying and God says "this is the closest you've been to me. i love who you are," paul would be ecstatic, even in his misery. it goes back to really seeing yourself the way God sees you, and not letting you give yourself identity.

this becomes more and more apparent, because lately, i have been getting down on myself because i think i screw up too much and i have all of these character flaws and i'm not good enough. but what God is really saying is that i'm okay. He just wants my heart, and all of the things that i do or don't do aren't nearly as important as my heart. what He really cares about is whether or not my eyes are fixed on Him. and He's the judge, not me. He has the right to tell me who i am and i don't.

paul then talks about how we shouldn't be puffed up. He asks "For who makes you differ from another?" who makes us different from each other? who created us different? "And what do you have that you did not receive?" i can't think of anything. really try to ask yourself this. "Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" if the things that you have were a gift, then why do you brag about them like they are your own?

i read this part multiple times, but it was like the third time before i realized that this was my problem. i have been going through this pride thing lately where i think i'm better than other people, but this passage (v. 7) pretty much nails it. everything i have, i have been blessed with. but it's a gift, and it doesn't make me any better than anyone else. it's just the way i've been made. i can be proud of what i have been given because these gifts are good, but i have no reason to boast or be puffed up. i didn't do anything to prompt these gifts. i have received them. everything i have i received. i was put in this spot and i was given the way i look and think and talk and move.

from verses 8 to 13, paul, i think, is talking to the church in corinth how they are rich and full and rulers, but the apostles are kind of hidden away. they are fools and weak and dishonored and homeless. and he says that he writes this not to make them feel bad, but to warn them (v. 14). i guess to warn them from getting puffed up, though this is really just speculation. he could be warning them from forgetting everything that God has done, because when you are homeless and dishonored, you are also humbled. so the apostles (paul and company) are going through a lot and so they are forced to keep their eyes on God for peace and to provide, but these in Corinth who are strong and distinguished are not going through things like this, so paul could be telling them not to get lazy or spiritually obese.

the last thing paul talks about is that the kingdom of God isn't in word, but in power (v. 20). i think this says it shouldn't be about talking the talk or being puffed up or thinking that you are so great, but it's about power and authority. and this power and authority lies within Christ. he then asks them if, when he comes, they want him to come with a rod or "in love and a spirit of gentleness?" i feel kind of stupid, because i don't know what the answer is. i would think the answer would be a rod, so that whatever needs to happen will simply happen. spare the words, just go to power. don't worry about feelings getting hurt, just do what needs to be done.

1 Corinthians 4

We may be forced to be silenced, but on the inside we can shout for the Lord as loud as we want.

1 Corinthians 4:4(last part) - He who judges me is the Lord
This verse says that the only one who can judge people is the Lord. I mean think about it we are created by God and came from Adam and Eve, so we are brothers and sisters through Christ. and stuff like that we are close and familiy. so when this verse say "He" that means the only one.

1 Corinthians 4:7 - "For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?"
I like this verse cause I think it kind of shows my feelings about the world and people I know. (not pointing at fingers) that last part gets to me kind of. "Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?" whatever you get from God you don't have to brag about it. Or anything you get that people envys you for it, don't brag about it. that's pride and that's kind of bad guys. when you boast about something that should be boasted you fall into sin. So what if you got first place on a tournament and the other person didn't, you don't have to rub it in their face. Matter of fact you don't get up on their grill or get in their face about it. it's kind of like sportsmanship i guess. if you won something you just say "hey you did a good job out there. how about next year or a next time?" you don't have to get all mean about it and say something like "sucker you lost, i won. what you going to do now, go home and cry to your momma" No that's not what you do to people they are the same as you, you guys are brothers or sisters. you don't do that. Now those are just simple examples this verse is talking about something bigger than that.

1 Corinthians 4:10 - "We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!"
This verse i thought was kind of humorous. it kind of makes me think of that one verse that says those who risk to save their life will lose it, and those who risk to save my life will find it. There is a verse somewhere in the bible that says that.

Lord i pray that we get some rest cause it is very important. If we are created in your image, just an image and you rested on the last day then how important is it for us to get some rest and relax. I pray that we relax at least for a day and that it doesn't have to be a full 24 hour long relaxation, no break sort of thing. I pray that we get at least 24 hour relaxing time during the week just anytime, 24 hours total in one week. I pray that we all get that cause i can see that many of us need it. Lord i know you can do anything you want in anyway. We may not see you making room for us to get some rest, but it doesn't matter cause we still are going to praise you no matter what. you Lord will never stop getting praise from your children. Amen.

1 Corinthians 4

v. 3 - "I care very little if I am judged by you or any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me."
Paul brings up the concept of absolute justification - it's not our conscience that justifies us, or what we do or don't do. The state of one's soul is not relative to what they're thinking or feeling...

"...'Do not go beyond what is written'...for who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?" (v. 6-7)

So...onto a large tangent: Being content - living every second knowing that God delights in us - that's enough to get us through any obstacle and out of apathy. I don't need to strive for skills that make me useful in society or cool to others.

It's a paradox - only after I have accepted the truth of God's unconditional love will I bear much fruit, not the other way around (I think God deals with me very specifically on this). Only after I understand that His approval of me cannot be won or gained, but that I already have it, will I have the freedom to powerfully advance the kingdom and the grace to be completely faithful with what He's given to me. For those who have read The Final Quest, I'm thinking of the image of the soldiers who have swords but don't use them, so are taken captive...but that's another tangent.

Also, that deep relationship with God, knowing Him, is what gets us through v. 9-13 - "...God has put us apostles on display...We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ...We have become the scum of the earth..." ...I think fools for Christ are people so consumed by God, and so lost in God, that they don't care about what goes on around them as long as they're in His will. People able to bear reproach because they have their eyes set on God alone and not themselves or peripheral action.