1 Corinthians 4:11-13 - Fightin" the Flesh

 

When Cowboys Get in Trouble - CM Russell

1 Corinthians 4:11-13

NKJV

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.  And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

 

NLT

Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we don’t have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home. We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We bless those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.  We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the world’s garbage, like everybody’s trash—right up to the present moment.

 

If we think about how poorly the apostles were treated by those that proclaimed Christ, we really have to examine ourselves today.  Are we all that different?  Are we treating our under-shepherds any better?  If I believe that what my pastor is bringing on Sunday, is from God…then why don’t I do what I am called to do?  If our pastors are plugged into God, then most likely they are talking directly to us with their message.  I know my pastor is always preaching directly to me….and I know that’s from God.  So, why do I struggle with pursuing my call?

 

I believe it’s because I am still capable of sin.  I am still in this flesh body, that is at constant war with the Spirit.  I am not condemned by my sin because Jesus is my savior and He paid that price already, but I’m still capable.  We have all the tools we need to fight our flesh, but it takes effort and perseverance to get beyond our flesh.  So let’s lean into that today.

 

Fightin’ the flesh,

cej