Scum Christianity

“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things” (1 Cor. 4:11-13).

I wonder if we are better off for not having to deal with the persecution that Paul did. The immediate American response would be, “Of course we are.” We have many bumper stickers and songs that ask God to “bless America.” And I doubt that many who sing or stamp that phrase mean genuine contrition and repentance. It is hard to draw the line between the church and the world these days, if it can even be done. I know Jesus can do it. But we Christians are often so fond of the world and the world is so fond of the world that it is hard to distinguish.

Just cite one example from your life this week that set you apart from this world. TV choices? We have to do better than that. Community service? Sadly, I believe large corporations encourage a concern for the poor better than what is called the church. Love for other people just like us? Even lawyers have friends.

How about loving people who cannot repay us? (cf. Luke 14:12-14). How about a love that is other-worldly? (cf. John 13:35). How about the power of the Spirit of God in our lives? (I Cor. 4:20).

I think the biggest thing in my life that affects my ministry to the world and the church is what I think of other people’s opinions. I like them. I want to be thought well of—or at least I don’t want to be seen as a freak. I want to not disturb the class, or not seem too urgent or too godly. I don’t want to be so “heavenly-minded that I’m no earthly good.” If you’re saved, you know how I feel. You probably feel the same.

Here is the challenge from the text: Are you prepared to become like the scum of the world? When people hear the hard things you say and believe, are you ready for the ridicule? If you have true and hard things to say, you will be ridiculed. But most of us know little of the belittling of the world. We talk too little and fit in too much.

Today I read of a Greek philosopher who is respected in ancient philosophy. He masturbated in public. He lived in a barrel. He urinated on critics. And yet he is respected.

But you, simple Christian, for your belief in a kind and dangerous Savior (if you will stand up and believe it), you will be mocked. For telling the world that the problem is not out there, but it is in here. We, all of us, are the problem with the world. With more education and more government (the world’s solutions to its problems) we will not become better. The sinner will become more sophisticated in his sin, and the lack in governors for the governors presents quite a problem. There is no hope for the human race but Jesus.

All paths to human happiness are built on Jesus. Everything else is sinking sand.

I have one last question: Is He worth it?