7/6/2025
"What are you so puffed up about? What do you have God
hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God,
why act as though you are so great, and as though you have
accomplished something on your own?
1 Corinthians 4:7
These are the words of Paul the Apostle, called by Jesus to witness to the Gentiles, writing to the church of Corinth that he planted on his second missionary trip. Corinth was a famous commercial center, but it was steeped in paganism and "infamous for its immorality." The church was growing, but with growth, problems and questions arise. I love Paul's words to the Christians of Corinth when he says in Chapter 2:2-3: "For I decided that I would speak only of Jesus Christ and His death on the cross. I came to you in weakness - timid and trembling." Paul was a Pharisee and a Roman citizen, tutored by Gamaliel, a great scholar and leading authority in the Sanhedrin. Paul once called himself a Pharisee of the Pharisees, and he once persecuted the church prior to his conversion experience on the Road to Damascus where he encountered the living Lord Jesus. Now, as an apostle he presents the gospel in a clear, honest, simply-spoken manner, as he himself was saved. Chloe from the church, one of the followers there in Corinth, had written Paul of the discord within the church prompting Paul's letter. It seems they were questioning the validity or qualification of who baptized whom into the church. Religion had somehow crept into the church, as it often does, so Paul is a bit frustrated at this point. Aside from Paul and this situation, this verses of scripture was posed as today's verse by Pastor Jack for our consideration. And, rightly so, as many today seemed to be puffed up considering themselves more learned about certain facts pertaining to the church, and it gets to be quite disconcerting. But then, as I have said, and as Solomon has said, "There's nothing new under the sun."
In considering this scripture, Pastor Jack asked the question "What is it that keeps you from seeing yourself as you really are, others from seeing you as you wish you really were, and God from helping you become what you would really like to be?" Ouch! No triple ouch! But thought-worthy no less. He suggests "pride covers your own sins; pride obscures the view of others; and pride hinders service for God!" I guess that's it in a nutshell, especially if you're trying to hide something, as we all have done, if we're honest. I know that there are things in my past that I'd rather not share with the world. But then, if there came a time when it may prove helpful to another person, then I would do it. In my blogs, and in my testimonies otherwise, I have become pretty transparent about things. I don't like to involve other people, ones who have caused me pain, as it benefits nothing. I'd much rather speak about God's mercy and grace, and His great healing power.
When I consider the initial scripture above from 1 Corinthians 4:7, I have absolutely nothing to be puffed up about, but, like Paul, I too, have determined to know nothing except Jesus and Him crucified. He is the Savior of the world, and He has transformed my life since day one. I just didn't begin to realize how much until perhaps the last 25 years or more. Before that, off and on, I did know, but my guilt and shame kept me hidden and alone. I still served God and worked in the church, but when I was home, all I could do was think about how much I had failed God. Now, here God was using this donkey, as He often does use donkeys. I'm sure you know a few. But, I still felt so unworthy, and whereas I knew He said He had forgiven me of all my sins, the devil made me doubt. I was great at helping others, but I couldn't get over it concerning myself. Thank God the day of "Get off your face!" came! And I did! God is oh so faithful. I know I write about this all the time, but a little extra testifying never hurts, ya know!
I'm not so concerned anymore about accusations, as I am with bringing Him the glory He deserves. I told my son that I was hesitant about publishing my book, because someone may recognize my name and have something derogatory to say about me. But then, someone always has something to say about some one. It's the way of the world, and it is exactly what Pastor Jack was questioning - pride covers, obscures, and hinders. So if someone is pointing fingers, then there are four pointing back at that one. This weekend, Pastor Jonathan presented the Harvest message for his dad in our series The Reluctant Evangelist, taking a look at the life of Jonah. Pastor Jonathan said that "God appoints circumstances (or storms) to bring us back" to where we should be, doing what God has said for us to do. In Jonah's situation, God "had prepared" a great fish to swallow Jonah. That would not be a hard one to miss as a sign! But in life many things happen, things that make us question why? Especially when harm is brought to the innocent or an unforeseen tragedy happens.
This weekend we became aware of flash floods in Texas after extended rainfall that rose within a short period of time to great height and flooded several areas killing many, including a Christian girls' campground in Kerr County. There are still 11 girls missing and a counselor, and others missing from other affected areas. Homes were unearthed, devastation everywhere, and damage to property and loss of lives in this catastrophic flood. Samaritan's Purse and other search and rescue organizations have been called in to assist. Prayer is being requested all over. On the 4th of July weekend, a time so many get away to enjoy family outings, and churches send kids to camps. Only God knows the whys of all things. We ask, we plead, we cry, some get so angry and feel betrayed, but God is not a God of wrath, and He loves all people. I pray that in offering comfort to others that it never becomes cliche to say "God loves you." Sometimes it is best to be there, provide hugs and reassurance of support and love, and listen and cry with a those who are suffering, who are grieving, and who are waiting for news.
It's always interesting the way my writing gets turned around when I am blogging. I always make notes, in case I get behind, as I did yet again, every time I get stumped about what to say. But when it comes time to rewrite and make sense of it all, including my journal notes, other events of the day seem more important, but I pray, relevant to the initial thought. We do, after all, owe God everything, and He owes us nothing. He already gave His all when He sent His Only Son to die in our place, to carry our guilt, shame, sin for a lifetime, and die in our place a horrible death. We owe Him everything.
The idea is difficult on any given day, but it is particularly hard at times as mentioned above. He tells us in His word to give thanks, regardless, give thanks. And we should, so we do! Blessed Savior, still our refuge, we give You praise.