Stand Out: Living for Christ in a Corrupt WorldSample

Let God be God!

3:18-4:5: In 3:18-23, Paul returns to the subject of wisdom. He tells the Corinthians that worldly wisdom is not sufficient to evaluate their leaders and teachers. Human wisdom is folly in God’s sight. He further says that believers belong to God, not to human teachers. Then, in 4:1-5, apostle Paul writes that servants of Christ must be regarded as stewards of the mysteries of God. They will be ultimately judged by Christ for their work. 

Our sinful nature is quick to judge and slow to love others. While we must certainly judge false teachings and sin (Mt. 7:15-16; 1 Cor. 2:15; 5:9-13; Jas 4:4), we must not judge others self-righteously (Mt. 7:1-2) or superficially (Jn 7:24). 

Some of the Corinthian believers were quick to judge apostle Paul (v. 3). But he writes that the Lord is his ultimate Judge (vv. 4-5). Sometimes, we too are quick to judge others “before the time.” However, the Lord alone knows a person’s heart. While we must confront those who are living in sin (5:12-13), we must not judge who is a better Christian or a better minister of God. Let God be God!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be slow to judge and quick to love others.