Don't Lose Focus . . .Good Suffering

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! To the present hour, we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. (1 Corinthians 4:10-13)

Paul, in writing to the Corinthian church, is attempting to to correct divisions within. There was immorality, oppositions to his teaching and to the apostolic doctrine. Yet even as Paul was attempting to correct them, he did it by humbling himself! This may have been a bit sarcastic from Paul as he was speaking to those whom he had introduced to Christ. Christians had been put on public display in Rome, even facing wild animals in the center of the Coliseum. Yet the Corinthians believers have forgotten their spiritual state and had become very comfortable in their lives. Even as Paul went through many trials, he was dependent upon the Lord for his needs. Here he reminds those whom he had taught not to forget whom they were. We cannot get so comfortable in our faith that we forget what Christ has done for us and that we are merely servants, slaves to our Master and King! Many times we need a good reminder of where we would be without Christ and those whom He had placed in our lives. A period of suffering . . . emotionally, physically, spiritually . . . can do just that! www.tsninthebeginning.blogspot.com