Why do people care what others think of them? Because the opinions of others (en masse, or individually) can determine your social acceptance. So what? Is social acceptance “success”? Does it bring joy? Okay, okay, don’t think I’m heartless, I understand the feelings behind acceptance, but there are a few things to think about first.
Paul begins 1 Corinthians chapter 4, “So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God.” (1 Cor. 4:1) “Us” refers to the ministers Paul was writing about (Paul, Apollos, Cephas, etc.) Ministers are not to be thought of as arbiters of truth but representatives. Paul describes ministers as “servants of Christ” who are entrusted with the secret things of God. The word ministers literally means “under-rowers” which refers directly to the large Roman galleys. But they are not the captain, and neither are we.
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (1 Cor. 4:2) Oh! Okay, so God trusted the ministers with the ‘truth’ thing and the secret things of God, so I have nothing to worry about, right? Wrong. 1 Cor. 2:7 says, “No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” So all believers have the secret wisdom of God, by virtue of the fact they are believers. To one extent or another we are all trusted with things of God.
So if we’re trusted with the things of God, what does God want us to do with them? The only way a non-believer can know the secret things of God — like the rest of us — is through Jesus Christ. And we are called to be disciples of all nations in Matthew 28:19 to spread the Good News. “‘Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.” (Lev. 19:2b)
“I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.” Here’s where it’s easy to fall short in the Christian faith. You mean we aren’t supposed to care what others think of us? Yep, because in the End they will be judged by the same God. So don’t worry about what others think about you, we need to worry about what God thinks of us. The standards of the world and society pointless and full of vanity. It is the standards of God we should work to meet.
“As disciples of Jesus, being in relationship with Him must be our focus. When we allow others’ perceptions of us (or even our perceptions of their perceptions!) to control how we live, we are enslaved. We become entrenched in the ways of this world and do not live as citizens of heaven, which is another kind of kingdom altogether. Though there is a sense in which this kingdom of God is still future (Zech. 14:9; Acts 1:6-7), there is also a sense in which it is here now (Matt. 6:10; 12:28). As citizens of this kingdom, we are called to live in a way that reflects the reality of the kingdom of God. When we become overly concerned about our appearance, our spiritual reputation, our coolness, and our acceptance, we are living as citizens of this world rather than as ambassadors.” -Forgotten God: Reversing our Tragic Neglect of the Holy Spirit by Francis Chan and Danae Yankoski (p. 53-54)
It’s not easy but it’s necessary. After all, “For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Cor. 4:7) God gave us everything we have, we owe everything to Him.
Then Paul said something (again) that was surprising, “For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men.” (1 Cor. 4:9) Um, wow Paul, you make the Christian faith look so plush and easy! No, the Greek word translated spectacle gives us our English word “theater.”
Does this mean we are called to be fake for Christ? Absolutely not. It means you are on the stage. Actors also represent the character written in the play. They may not do the character full justice, but they give it every ounce of talent they have. That’s their job. And as Christians it’s our job to represent Christ with every ounce of every talent God gave us. If an actor gets on stage and plays “himself” doesn’t that make for a lousy play? And if every Christian was really representing Jesus, don’t you think the spectators might find out what the play is about? How much more powerful is the message of Christ when we do our duty!
But of course, this analogy only goes so far. Actors live plush lives with riches and are showered with goodies. Paul clarifies for us, “To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” (1 Cor. 4:11-13) Then a few verses later Paul says the truly scary part, “Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” (1 Cor. 4:16)
“Hey guys just here to let you know that I’m in rags I’m beaten, abused and rejected by man, but still in a good mood. And I really think you should imitate me.” He’s right you know. If we aren’t sold out for Jesus, what’s the point in living anyway? If Jesus is really our life, salvation, purpose and Lord, shouldn’t we be that crazy about Him? We should. And it’s because this is who Jesus is that we are not to worry about what the world thinks, why would we care? We live for something much greater than man. Greater than man can even comprehend.
We need to find ways to use our gifts to glorify God. We need to focus our days on pleasing God rather than man. Paul said, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.” (1 Cor. 4:20) Don’t just discuss, do.
This life is not mine to live
Judgement was never mine to give
We are trusted with the things of God
To do the things which he laudsHe will bring light to the dark
Good and evil will be quite stark
What do we have that God did not give?
With these gifts we must not be passiveThe drums are rolling
The procession is playing
It’s your turn, there’s no more delaying
You can almost hear God saying,
“Your death is near, why aren’t you praying?
Did you live for me or for yourself?
Did you live for others or for your wealth?
Can I say ‘well done?’
Or was ‘living’ too much fun?
I created fun as well as rest,
But it’s disobedience that I detest.”Here we are, the scum to the earth!
We are now, after our Christian rebirth.
From our sin we repent,
To the Christ we represent.
-Ben
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