Job 8-10: 1 Corinthians 4

Good Morning Truth Seekers! Job 8-10 continues the accusations from his friends and Job defense. Job relents that he is innocent of any sin, and is in turmoil because he does not know why God is punishing him. Finally at the encouragement of one of Bildad Job questions God. Mistake! Especially after he give argument to why he should not take God on. I think that many times we all rush to judgement about why some is suffering. Suffering is not always a consequence of misdeeds. Good men suffer sometimes. Christ who was without sin is the poster child for that one. God is sovereign and if he deems it, so be it. I pray for the strength and faith to endure every trial and testing.

1 Corinthians 4 Paul makes it clear that the apostles are servants of God entrusted with the secret things of God. Therefore, the only thing he cares about is proving faithful to his calling to carry forth the good news. Paul accepts his imperfections and advise that God will judge him and all other men and only then will we know their hearts and motives. Paul's message to the saints at Corinth is that they have it much better than apostles. The apostles are under the microscope of the world and extreme hardship. I think that Paul is saying don;t envy him, he is suffering for the cause of Christ and that comes with a high price of sacrifice. Paul saves that he will deal with the gossips personally when he gets there.

I believe that with leadership comes criticism. Paul is pointing to the work and suffering as to say would anyone consider this gain. However, follow him and see his lifestyle and conviction to what he is preaching. I am discouraged at the number of people who can be so easily swayed against a good man by lies. Have not people heard of Stephen who was a honest man, but his enemies lied on him to justify their own desires? A lie is still a lie regardless of how many people repeat it.