1 Corinthians 4:12, Reviled and Persecuted!

1 Corinthians 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

The apostles suffered reproach, scorned, being criticised in an abusive and angrily insulting manner for the gospel’s sake. Yet, retaliated not. This was Christ’ lot on earth. Isaiah’s prophecised of the fierce persecution that came against Jesus in  Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. The disciples of Christ followed in His footsteps of suffering. Like Christ, the apostles did not fight back but suffered wrong.

The Corinthian church seemed to be at in a self-sufficient ease which the Apostle Paul is observing and he seeks to awaken them out of their lost of love for Christ and the message of salvation. This is sad. But this is also how the church is today. There is a lukewarmness in service for the Lord. Perhaps it is material ease and comfort, but Abraham was rich in material things yet he lived a separated life unto God.

Truly, when one is living the Christian life to its fullest, Christ tells His disciples to expect persecution – Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

May we be walking in the steps of Christ and the apostles in devotion and service. Amen.