02/03/2024 -“Becoming the ‘Filth of the World'” // “When we are slandered , we answer kingly. Up to this moment, we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.” 1 Corinthians 4:13
“These words are not an exaggeration. The only reason they may not be true of us who call ourselves ministers of the gospel is not that Paul forgot or misunderstood the exact truth of them, but that they are too cautious and concerned about our own desires to allow ourselves to become the refuse or ‘filth of the world.’ ‘Fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ…’ (Colossians 1:24) is not the result of the holiness of sanctification, but the evidence of consecration — being ‘separated to the gospel of God…’ (Romans 1:1).
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…’ (1 Peter 4:12). If we do think the things we encounter are strange, it is because we are fearful and cowardly. We pay such close attention to our own interest and desires that we stay out of the mire and say, ‘I won’t submit; I won’t bow or bend.’ And you don’t have to– you can be saved by the ‘skin of your teeth’ if you like. You can refuse to let God count you as one who is ‘separated to the gospel….’ Or you can say, “I don’t care if I am treated like the filth of the world’ as long as the gospel is proclaimed.’ A true servant of Jesus Christ is one who is willing to experience martyrdom for the reality of the gospel of God. When a moral person is confronted with contempt, immorality, disloyalty, or dishonesty, he is so repulsed by the offense that he turns away and in despair closes his heart to the offender. But the miracle of the redemptive reality of God is that that worst and vilest offender can never exhaust the depths of His love. Paul did not say that God separated him to show what a wonderful man He could make of him, but ‘to reveal His son in me…’ (Galations 1:16).”
Soli Deo Gloria!