We have been made as the filth of the world… —1 Corinthians 4:13
These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that we are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or “filth of the world.” “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration— being “separated to the gospel of God…” (Romans 1:1).
“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…” (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interests and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, “I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.” And you don’t have to— you can be saved by the “skin of your teeth” if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is “separated to the gospel….” Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like ‘the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.” A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that the worst and the vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but “to reveal His Son in me…” (Galatians 1:16).
Journal DJR
Good morning Lord. So I’m not to think it strange, the fiery trials that may come my way as in 1 Peter 4:12. How then am I to think of them? I can think I am privileged to “Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…” (Colossians 1:24). But to be honest, that thinking seems to be too far a stretch for me in the midst of a trial. How about an attitude of “Curiosity?”
Curiosity is a good first step. I can work with that and it won’t shut down your ability to hear my voice and move to those next levels of thinking. Staying curious requires that you have not already come to a conclusion or judgement about an issue. Curiosity is a good starting place for hearing my voice or feeling my nudges. Then it is up to you to be obedient. That’s when the faith kicks in. You dont even need faith until you hear me tell you something which isn’t “logical” … like step out of the boat, or something out of your comfort zone, like, “go pray for that person.” So live curious and connected and ready to obey. It’s the way I lived. It’s the best way to live.
Click Image for John White's Original Vision For CO2's
