Seeking No Comfort or Credit

Text: 1 Corinthians 4:8-17 Theme: Paul warns us against arrogance and comfort in what God has given us. Key verses: “We (apostles) are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored!” (v. 10) “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly…” (v. 12-13) “I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children…you do not have many fathers…Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I am sending you Timothy…He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere… Some of you have become arrogant…” (v. 14-18) What God said to me: Dwayne, be very, very careful that you do not become too comfortable with all I have blessed you with. When you do, you will lose your edge and drop your guard. You may even begin to think that what you have you somehow deserve or worked to achieve. Paul was one of my greatest and most faithful servants ever to walk your earth. Yet, you see how little he received or desired creature comforts. Why do you think you should have it any better? Paul wanted the Corinthians — and the church in general — to see his consistent walk with his talk, how that Christ really was his only hope, joy, comfort and goal. Can you say that about yourself? Will my Son say that to you at the Judgement Seat? What I said to God: Holy God, I acknowledge my sin of arrogance before You. I have become comfortable and settled in my Christian walk. I have taken for granted Your amazing and undeserved blessings of health, material posessions, peace with others, and human freedoms. If all that was suddenly taken away, would I still praise You? Would I cling to You in new and deeper ways? Do I in fact depend on You as my one and only Source? I fear not… Help me and my family love You and You alone, above ourselves and our “creature comforts.”