My brother in Christ, how are you today? Is our Daily Devotional helping you to keep the Kingdom of God on the course? I hope it gives you inspiration for the day. Always remember that you are a disciple of Jesus. In this confusing world, don’t be fooled.
Devotional for Today, January 27
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! (full text at 1 Corinthians 4:1-13)
So today, January 27, we read from the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. We see that Paul is also joking. He says to the local Christians, with a bit of irony, “Oh yes, you have already become great stars. You are the best. Better even than the apostles.”
But Paul ends the joke with a moral: “I wish that all this were not just a false image of your own making, but that it were the truth.”
Devotional for every day here: Daily Devotional
But in this text, we also note that there are two paths.
Don’t run away from Hardship
One path that the Corinthian Christians would gladly take. It is to avoid difficulties. They would prefer to take the easy way to the goal, avoiding the uncomfortable topics of the cross and the suffering of Jesus. They would like the gospel to be like a cream or a drug.
Anyone who wants to pick and choose only the pleasant, ear-pleasing things from the Gospel of Jesus is denying the truth.
The second way is that of the Apostle Paul. He says one must also experience hunger, thirst, and persecution to achieve high ideals. Fear and worry are experienced in the name of truth.
Share the Grace of God
That is why Jesus invites us to share our lives. He shared his life with others until his death. And he invites us to make the keyword “share” characteristic of our lives: to share trust, hope, and time.
Don’t be fooled
For Paul, people’s criticism of this issue is irrelevant. In the same way, many people today criticize Christians and say that the Gospel of Jesus is outdated and out of step with the challenges of the modern world.
They say that today, the first thing to do is not to worship God but to care for the poor and minorities to fight discrimination. Also they try to convince us that it is not necessary to live according to the teachings of the Gospel. And they say that positive thinking is enough for a happy life, God is not needed.
God Determines Everything
But Paul responds very clearly to such propaganda: “The Lord is my judge.” God will have the final and decisive word. And people’s opinions will vanish like a mist. (1 Corinthians 4:3-4)
And you, my brother, take note of this position of the Apostle Paul. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And only His Gospel is true. You are a disciple of Jesus, don’t be fooled!
Prayer for Today
Lord Jesus, my Savior, I want You to be the center of my life. I want to be Your person, filled with the Holy Spirit. Make me strong to share with others the grace I receive from You. Make me courageous, so I am not afraid to share my life with others. Let me proclaim Your Gospel not only with words but also with my whole life. You are the Lord, and I praise You. Amen.
Also read: Devotional for January 26
