May I be regarded as a servant of Christ and steward of the mysteries of God

You're scrolling through social media and you see something that makes you say "wow, so ignorant." You have disdain and shake your head because of how little that person knows about the world. 

Pause. Let's test our thoughts against Scripture. 

First off, if the knowledge that person lacks is something of pure biblical truth:

• "What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" (1 Cor 4:7b)
  Soul, humble yourself and recognize that any knowledge you have has been graciously given to you.
• If that person is a Christian: "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." (1 Cor 3:5-6)
  Be a servant unto your brother, water with truth. Pray God will grant growth. 
• If that person is not a Christian: "The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." (1 Cor 2:14)
  Pity the soul who cannot understand the truth of God. Pray for the Spirit of God which teaches men's hearts not through human wisdom. 

But if the "knowledge" that person lacks is extra-biblical about our world: (scare quotes because I know you all will disagree on what might fall into this category. Here are a few examples of what you might believe to be foolishness - a lack of understanding of structural racism, a lack of awareness of leftist media overblowing COVID, a lack of alarm at civil unrest and government power grabs, a lack of compassion for grieving families, a lack of education on historically racist policies and practices, etc.)

• "Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (1 Cor 3:18-20)
  Soul, let prideful thoughts against others about their lack of wisdom in extra-biblical matters serve as a red flag. Am I enjoying and pursuing the praise of other men who agree with me on these matters? Have I forgotten the utter depravity the Lord has brought me out of with His gracious hand? Have I placed my hope in earthly solutions, forgetting the victory in Christ?
• "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." (1 Cor 4:1) 
  Beware being regarded as wise in this world. Christ crucified is a stumbling block to religious people and folly to the intellectual world (1 Cor 1:23). May the world not look to us merely for wise opinions on earthly matters. May we be known as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Does History Have Its Eyes On You?

Christians in the US are in a moment of extreme opinions. Extreme variety: brothers and sisters who love and trust in the same Lord Jesus hold an amazingly wide array of opinions on everything from masks to social justice. Extreme intensity: brothers and sisters (myself included) feel deep emotion and righteousness in their opinions. Why? I think we recognize ourselves to be in a historic moment. We are dealing with issues of great importance and significance for generations to come. Because of this, I will be honest and admit that sometimes my opinions can be motivated in part by wanting to be “on the right side of history.” Or maybe I just want to be right, and proven right by history. Regardless, the truth is I don't plan to do anything incredible with my life, so honestly, history will quickly forget me. And even if history were to see me in this moment, I must not fear its judgment because history is men. Friend, do not fear men. Fear instead the one who has authority over your eternal soul. (Luke 12:5). 

Whose view of you are you considering when you act today?

In our Titus 2 study led by Becky Savastio, we have been taking a look at the brethren noted at the end of Colossians. These names are easy to gloss over, folks who just get a line or two here and there in the Bible. Tychicus. Onesimus. “Faithful ministers and beloved brothers” (Col 4:7,9). In the years and decades to come,  my end goal is not to be right about whether or not masks are a necessary discomfort or unconstitutional evil. No one, not even I, will judge myself based on how much I posted about social justice on my private Instagram account of a couple hundred followers. When I look back on 2020 in the years and decades to come, my sincere hope is that God would work in me to make me a faithful minister of His truth and beloved sister to His children. 

By His standard, and for His Kingdom. 

May I be known by my brethren for faithfully working for the Kingdom alongside them, encouraging their hearts and being a comfort to them (Col 4:7, 8, 11). I'd much rather continue on my way as what my fellow Titus 2 study sisters have deemed me "Zoom Nympha" (Nympha is mentioned in Colossians for hosting the church in her house) for a humble group of 10. I want to forget my own desire to be right and be recognized as right by a fleeting posterity, and instead strive forward until the day my Savior and King welcomes me into the eternal gates of glory. May I then be found wearing His robes of righteousness, to hear the words “my good and faithful servant.” 

Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on that eternal reward.