1. Corinthians Chapter 3:18-4:7(Wisdom of God, and not boasting of gifts).

1. Corinthians Chapter 3:18-4:7(Wisdom of God, and not boasting of gifts).

Don’t deceive yourself. (A very good encouragement, if or when we do that we are completely lost, we manage to convince ourself about something that is not true and we lead ourself astray Paul encourage the Corinthians to stop doing that). For us it would be great if we are satisfied in Christ and don’t decive ourself, but as Paul writes another place have a right judgment not to high not to low, but true and right one. We would then avoid trying to deceive our self. (If we do our hope is in Jesus Christ finished work not ours – repent a look to Jesus again for forgiveness and life).

In verse 18 Paul states a warning form Isaiah 5.21 – Wow to the people that are wise in their own eyes… This is a point Paul has addressed almost form the beginning of the letter and will continue to do. Are you trusting in your own wisdom or the one your learned form the world or in God’s wisdom? If you think you are wise (in the world) you need to become a fool – before you become wise. (For us) Your wisdom needs to come from Jesus Christ and not you or your friends from the internet, sports club, job, political party, social-media commercials or country.  

Just like the fool thinks God and spiritual things are foolish, that is how God sees the worlds wisdom as folly! And if we stop and think about it is makes good sense. People wise in their own eyes, boast of the wisdom and sight they, have because God gave them eye and a brain – without them they could do nothing. (Example – Podcast) And think about God listening to people talk; about stars planets, we know so little and still, some speak like they are experts trying to show where are so smart and cleaver they are. (Podcast example) God in most cases is like someone listing to people having a conversation about a subject they know noting about but would state things as facts they have no idea about. I think God laughs/has pity on our arrogance and ignorance, or wisdom and think we are fools when following it.

As people think they have outsmarted God proved that there is no God, God knew all about it even before they did it, and God will catch them, and expose their folly, - there is no escape from God, everyone will bow to Jesus and confess he is Lord to Gods glory. (Who is the fool then?)  

God knows man is but a vapor a breath, and the thoughts of the wise is futile. That is why you should not boast in men… As Paul has written in chapter one; “you have all your need all is yours don’t boast in people, all is yours Paul Apollos Cephas, God’s word, death life all are yours, and you are Christs. (Not Paul’s or some other teacher) And Christ is Gods. -This is the main point don’t praise people; praise Jesus Christ for being his and worship; God that Christ is Gods. That is the right view of God and man,

4 Paul writes the way you should regard us is as servants and stewards of the mysteries of God. It is not Paul and Apollos or Peter that is God and that made wisdom and mystery, no God did. They are only servants of Christ. (Paul and Apollos follow Jesus’ example: Jesus Christ was a servant from God to point to God). Sharing and stewarding God’s revelation to the world by Jesus Christ. And wanting to be good stewards and faithful to God. And judged by God.

Therefore, Paul is not worried about or calls it a very small thing that he would be judged by them or any human. Paul reflecting don’t see anything at the moment to be judged, but that is not the important part because it is the Lord that judges Paul as he writes. (An encouragement to the Corinthians and us to life for God and not the praise of people – because God is the judge and the is true wisdom).

A waring against judging in a human way, - because God will do it in perfect way, The Lord will bring light and expose all things that was hidden in the dark, and what was in people’s hearts. A perfect judgment, in where God can give us praise for the job we have done in Jesus; well done good and faithful servant. (And or have our work burned away, because it was wisdom of the world and for own gain and following the purpose of our heart exposed). + God always knows our motives and what we are trying to do even when people misunderstand. We are laid bare before the word of God; God knows everything.  

Paul and Apollos had lived for the Corinthians, for their benefit, - to encourage them not to make up things that are not according to God’s wisdom, and what is written about God, so that they will not be puffed up with pride and arrogance against one another.  

And a very great point that Paul makes in verse 7. Can you boast if everything you have is something you have been given? Why are you boasting of your spiritual gifts or who baptized you, that was given to you? You did nothing to get it, the same with the work of the Holy Spirt that opened your eyes, that was a gift from God as was your body and brain, so was Paul and Apollos, and the other believers, you were not saved because you were so great and smart, and clever and worthy, - you did not get gifts to boast in them. Instead, they were to be used as Paul and Apollos had done to build up the church, and give God glory.

The same text will also lay us bare. – How do we praise God for all God has given us? Do we need to repent because we have not, and taken the glory ourself?

What do you have that you did not receive? If it was given as a gift how can you boast?

We can boast in the giver and give God praise, for all the gifts. But it is arrogant and unwise to boast in our mind, body, achievements, brain, wisdom, when the gifts are from God. It might be a path to becoming humble, that see all we have a gift from God. We are then free to worship God, not ourself, enyjoing all God has done for us, and Jesus Christ life and work, and use the power of the Holy Spirt to give praise to Jesus Christ, and that will give glory to God.

And celebrate that in worship, and follow Jesus’ example of humble and meekness, in fellowship and in the world. And show and point people to what Jesus Christ, Lord God, savior, redeemer has done.  That our focus becomes God and not us, and our boast and focus is God and not ourself. For our freedom and joy, and God’s praise. As Jesus is worshiped by the Holy Spirt.