A question of Timing
I am currently preparing a study on 1 Corinthians 4.
A bit that has always intrigued me is as follows:
It seems to me, upon a bit of reflection that the Corinthians had fallen for a mistake when it comes to timing. Correct exposition of other bible passages (like Ephesians 2) clearly leads to a correct assumption that Christians have by grace been raised to rule with Christ over the whole of creation.
But that is not what the present age experience should be like for the Christian. We can know this because the faithful in many parts are still being treated as sport for the world, and are still under intense persecution.
The present time is for proclaiming unashamedly the message of Christ Crucified. What this leads to is the potential for suffering like Christ.
Unfortunately, as a Christian in a stable denomination (at least within Sydney) and in a prosperous city, it is easy to forget what the time is for. Paul genuinely desires in the above passage to be able to say the time is for reigning, so he doesn't have to suffer any more, but he can't.
We are called in the gospel to serve a crucified (cursed) king. The king who took our punishment upon himself. The King has been vindicated (the resurrection), and he will be vindicated (the second coming). While we wait for that final triumphant vindication, honouring the king is not by living as kings, but by serving him with our lives.
A bit that has always intrigued me is as follows:
Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.
It seems to me, upon a bit of reflection that the Corinthians had fallen for a mistake when it comes to timing. Correct exposition of other bible passages (like Ephesians 2) clearly leads to a correct assumption that Christians have by grace been raised to rule with Christ over the whole of creation.
But that is not what the present age experience should be like for the Christian. We can know this because the faithful in many parts are still being treated as sport for the world, and are still under intense persecution.
The present time is for proclaiming unashamedly the message of Christ Crucified. What this leads to is the potential for suffering like Christ.
Unfortunately, as a Christian in a stable denomination (at least within Sydney) and in a prosperous city, it is easy to forget what the time is for. Paul genuinely desires in the above passage to be able to say the time is for reigning, so he doesn't have to suffer any more, but he can't.
We are called in the gospel to serve a crucified (cursed) king. The king who took our punishment upon himself. The King has been vindicated (the resurrection), and he will be vindicated (the second coming). While we wait for that final triumphant vindication, honouring the king is not by living as kings, but by serving him with our lives.
posted by Pete at
11:11 PM
