1 Corinthians 4:1-5 (NIV)
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 expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
If Paul and his fellow workers for the gospel are not to be considered spiritual superstars, worthy of being followed in their own right, what are they? Paul provides a clear and simple answer.
Paul wants all of them to be considered simply as servants of Christ who have been entrusted with the secret things of God. This is not as mysterious and as impressive as it sounds. In 2:7-10, Paul identifies these “secret things” as the secret wisdom of God that the wise of the world cannot grasp, but that even the foolish in the church can understand because it is revealed to God’s people by His Spirit.
In 2:13-16, Paul testifies that it is precisely this wisdom that they preach and teach about in words provided by the Spirit, so that the truth works itself quickly into the hearts of those who are saved. Paul has been given a trust to carry this secret knowledge throughout the empire and to make it public, as have Apollos, and Peter, and all the rest.
Paul is not concerned with how he is perceived by people, and he doesn’t want or need their praises. He doesn’t work for any of them. Instead, he works directly for God. To God he is accountable, and from God he will receive either praise or condemnation for the way he has carried out his trust. In that final judgment, God will even bring to light things that no person even saw or noticed, but which didn’t give past God. So, Paul is on the job all day, every day, wanting with all His heart to please His God and Savior.
Father, I think that Paul was able to get so much accomplished precisely because he didn’t hunger for the praise and affirmation of people, so he never had to stop and think about how something would appear to others. He just obeyed and move forward, always looking for the next opening, the next point of obedience. He made some enemies along the way, but You weren’t one of them. Nothing mattered to him but being faithful in carrying out Your mission, Your calling on his life. Lord, help me to keep my own focus on You and Your calling for me, all day, every day, starting right now. Amen.