1 Corinthians 9:1-2
You are going to face critics! You are going to face antagonism and pressure from people! You are going to have people who are going to attempt to discredit your testimony, purpose, and authority! How’s that for an encouraging way to start this devotional?! Sadly, it’s the truth. Over the years, I have had people tell me that I was “too young,” “too inexperienced,” “too simple,” “too liberal,” and even “too legalistic” to be a pastor. Do you know what I did? I kept going for Jesus, and so should you. One of the best things that you can learn to do is to “drown out the noise” in your life because it’s always going to be there.
Some of the Corinthians in their arrogance were beginning to question Paul’s authority and rights as an apostle (one chosen and “sent out” by God), so Paul gave his credentials to them: (1) He saw and talked with the resurrected Jesus Christ who declared him to be an apostle (Acts 9:3-18) (2) His ministry was supernaturally blessed, of which many of them were products. When you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are honoring God and in the middle of his perfect will, you let the evidence speak for itself. It eventually will.
When I came to Emmanuel, I was pretty young. In the first year, over a hundred people left the church. Did I panic? No. Did I get bitter? No. Did I retaliate? No. I simply “drowned out the noise” and kept serving, preaching, loving, inviting, and obeying King Jesus. So should you.
“Changed lives” was the evidence that God was using Paul. Does our faith have an impact on others? God wants to use YOU to lead people to him, to grow people in him, and to motivate people to serve him. So, the next time someone is critical of you, remember that person is not your audience…God is. If you are being faithful and committed to him, it really doesn’t matter what people think of you. In time, if you remain passionate and obedient, God will produce fruit in you. By his grace alone, that is what happened in my life. I praise him for his grace and strength that powerfully sustained me during those difficult times. Eventually, the antagonists will either leave you or they will support you. There is no in-between.
While Paul did take time to defend himself, he never allowed it to consume his thinking. If that would have happened, it would have distracted him from his mission to plant Gospel-preaching churches all over Asia Minor. Be faithful under pressure, even the pressure of those around you who claim to love Christ. In time, facts always overcome feelings and the “proof is in the pudding!”
Some of the Corinthians in their arrogance were beginning to question Paul’s authority and rights as an apostle (one chosen and “sent out” by God), so Paul gave his credentials to them: (1) He saw and talked with the resurrected Jesus Christ who declared him to be an apostle (Acts 9:3-18) (2) His ministry was supernaturally blessed, of which many of them were products. When you know without a shadow of a doubt that you are honoring God and in the middle of his perfect will, you let the evidence speak for itself. It eventually will.
When I came to Emmanuel, I was pretty young. In the first year, over a hundred people left the church. Did I panic? No. Did I get bitter? No. Did I retaliate? No. I simply “drowned out the noise” and kept serving, preaching, loving, inviting, and obeying King Jesus. So should you.
“Changed lives” was the evidence that God was using Paul. Does our faith have an impact on others? God wants to use YOU to lead people to him, to grow people in him, and to motivate people to serve him. So, the next time someone is critical of you, remember that person is not your audience…God is. If you are being faithful and committed to him, it really doesn’t matter what people think of you. In time, if you remain passionate and obedient, God will produce fruit in you. By his grace alone, that is what happened in my life. I praise him for his grace and strength that powerfully sustained me during those difficult times. Eventually, the antagonists will either leave you or they will support you. There is no in-between.
While Paul did take time to defend himself, he never allowed it to consume his thinking. If that would have happened, it would have distracted him from his mission to plant Gospel-preaching churches all over Asia Minor. Be faithful under pressure, even the pressure of those around you who claim to love Christ. In time, facts always overcome feelings and the “proof is in the pudding!”
Posted in Devotional