Accepting spiritual correction!

accepting authority but not following blindly!

There are two realities we can live in. Our reality right now: flesh, Devil, worldly, or we can choose to live in an alternate reality: Spirit, God, church. Where are you living right now? We should have our eyes fixed on the Lord and live our lives to glorify Him.

We are going to be looking at 1 Corinthians 4!

3 mindsets to accept spiritual correction:

1. willingness to accept authority!

   1. “This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 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. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will receive their praise from God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1-5

   2. Paul was a servant of Christ, not the church or his own life. He’s a steward in God’s house. He was given authority over the church, but he was also under the authority of God. The only persona who can judge a servant of God is God Himself! Paul’s righteousness comes from Jesus, not his personal life.

2. have a commitment to resist pride!

   1. “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, ‘Do not go beyond what is written.’ Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. 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? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! 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. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.”

      1 Corinthians 4:6-13

   2. The people at Corinth thought they had everything under control. Paul had to pull their egos down. Our position with Christ should drive us to humility, not arrogance. Paul is contrasting the way the people of Corinth think of themselves, and he serves the lowest of the low. The people of Corinth bough into the world instead of living like Christ; this is a trap many people fall into today. They didn’t want to believe what Paul said because they thought he was beneath them. If you’ve been blessed, don’t be arrogant, give thanks! “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

   3. We are called to live like Jesus, and that’s exactly what Paul did! Follow the example of Jesus, and stay humble. “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” Romans 8:16-17

3. have a humility that can receive discipline!

   1. “I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children. Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, my son whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church. Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline, or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?” 1 Corinthians 4:14-21

   2. Paul is trying to warn the people of Corinth. He is alike a parent disciplining a child. He wants them to follow his example of how to live like Jesus, but they do not want to listen to him. The people of Corinth could have known what they were doing was wrong, but the biggest change comes when you starting doing better. Humble yourself and receive discipline.

God tells us to come as we are, and this is true! God made you in His image, and He loves you so much! However, once we start our relationship with Christ, we CANNOT keep doing the same things! Change is essential and necessary. Don’t think too highly of yourself because I can promise you that you are not above God. Listen to the Holy Spirit God has graciously given you, and listen to/apply the spiritual correction.

I know there is a lot of scripture in this post, but I challenge you to actually read it and dive into it. The notes I give you are just summaries of the endless wisdom and love from our Father! Praise Him and live like Jesus.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

For even in your suffering you saw to the other side. Knowing this was our salvation, Jesus, for our sake you died.

“King of Kings” - Hillsong Worship