What is it like to be the lowest of the low, the trash of the world? Perhaps worst life there is?! The homeless and the beggars on the street? Nope… Or perhaps, the prisoners in maximum security prison? Or the most hated/hateful criminals – free or not, who do unspeakable horribly inhumane things to fellow human beings? No. Paul described who they are in 1 Corinthians 4:9-13
9 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. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
Paul spoke of himself and fellow followers of Jesus. They were persecuted for their faith. Paul had a hard life after he met Jesus on the way to Damascus; after he obeyed Jesus to preach His good news. Once a persecutor, Paul became the persecuted, beaten, jailed, hunted, shipwrecked and criticized even by people inside the church. The Corinthian church was fighting over who’s the better leader – Paul, Apollos or Peter.
Paul repeatedly preached the wisdom and foolishness of the world against God’s standard. Followers of Jesus are like the gladiators in the arena – put on display for all creation to see – condemned to die – to a cheering crowd mad for blood. (v. 9) The paradox of being fools yet wise is fruitful living in the upside down kingdom of God… being strong in weakness and honored in shame. (v.10)
Paul was hungry, thirsty, poor, brutally treated, homeless… literally and figuratively… by the world’s standard, the hard life of the scum and garbage of the world (v.11). Yet, apostles did not give up. They worked hard. Being counter-cultural, they do opposite of what the world normally do. They bless when cursed. They endure persecution. They are kind to the unkind. This is what it meant to be the scum of the earth and garbage of the world (v.12). What a life! A life in the heavenly kingdom calls for the true follower to be wise in Jesus; fools to the world.
Application:
The Christian life is more than just being blessed with the favors and gifts of God. We are to be #grateful, #joyful and wonderful #witness of God’s #grace and #mercy. It’s against the norm of this world. The world watch what Christians do with a different standard. We are to turn the other cheek when people strike us on the face. We pray for those who curse us. We repay evil with good. We do not give up even when the way is hard.
It is indeed easier said than done. But with our eyes focused on Jesus, with the Lord at our right hand, we will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8)
