The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 9 February 2020 – TOPIC: FOLLOWING CHRIST SHEEPISHLY
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DATE: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2020
(Septuagesima)
TOPIC: FOLLOWING CHRIST SHEEPISHLY
READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1-13 (NKJV)
1. Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
5. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.
6. Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.
7. For who makes you differ [from another?] And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive [it,] why do you boast as if you had not received [it?]
8. You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us — and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!
9. For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
10. We [are] fools for Christ’s sake, but you [are] wise in Christ! We [are] weak, but you [are] strong! You [are] distinguished, but we [are] dishonored!
11. To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.
12. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;
13. being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
THE MESSAGE:
In today’s Scripture, Paul indirectly uses his life experience to advise the Corinthians to stick to the right Christian lifestyle, to be faithful, humble, non-judgmental, and true Christians who would bless when reviled, endure when persecuted, and entreat when defamed.
This lifestyle implies following Christ sheepishly, following Him faithfully and steadfastly, doing His will without complaining or doubting, being humble like Him, allowing God to be Judge in all situations, blessing our revilers, enduring all pains and persecutions, entreating our defamers, and seemingly being “fools for Christ’s sake” (verses 10-13). Ironically, the truly wise Christians are those who are fools, like Paul, for Christ’s sake. As we prepare for the forthcoming Lenten Season, let us consider/evaluate our lifestyles and determine to follow Christ sheepishly for the eternal gains of doing so.
PRAYER: LORD, please grant me the grace to follow Christ wholeheartedly, to maintain a truly Christian lifestyle like Paul and make heaven at last, in Jesus’ name. Amen.