1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians, Chapter 4.

Many translations of the bible split this into two simple sections: v1-13 and v14-21.

v1-13
This section is all about the ministry of the Apostles. If you’ve been following along with the previous blog posts, this has been a reoccurring theme from the beginning. (DRAMA!)

However, Paul makes some amazing points throughout these verses.

In verse 4, Paul states, “I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.”
We are all sinners. And we know it. Nobody is perfect, and we all make mistakes – no great mystery there. But sometimes we forget just how imperfect we are. Paul is reminding us that even if we don’t always recognize our own faults – that does not mean we are perfect.

Not only will we recognize our own faults, but realizing that we’re not perfect keeps us from judging others as well.

Only God can be our true judge, only God knows the motivations of our heart.

v14-21
The second section is titled “Fatherly Admonition.” While it’s true that we all sin, how we go about working to fix that is extremely important.

The history of the church is full of situations and examples of “Christian” people wounding others while trying to pass judgment on others people.

As Christians, we want to call people to a righteous life. We want to share the love of Jesus Christ and show people how to leave by his teachings. In verse 14, Paul is making it very clear that he’s not just trying to upset people. He’s not just passing judgment. He’s trying to help people as a parent helps a child.

If a child was about to lick a wall socket or set fire to the family pet – it’s a parent’s job to stop them. To protect them. In the same way, Paul is trying to take care of his “children.” Verse 21 identifies the two ways Christians can operate: “with love” or “with a stick.” He asks rhetorically, but his intended answer is clear: we are to act out of love. We are NOT to try to motivate “with a stick?”

What would it look like to lead by love? What would be different?

I do apologize for taking so long in getting this post up for you guys, next week’s post should be ready by Monday.

Never forget the ways to a closer relationship with Christ:
1.) Prayer
2.) Read the Bible
3.) Ask Questions!
God Bless!