Monday's Message: Defending his Stand

Defending his Stand: 

Critics, those who stand back and point out the flaws and mistakes of others while rarely making an attempt to build or create anything themselves.  No doubt, all of us have encountered unjust, unwarranted, and undesired criticism on more than one occasion.  If we are going to make changes and improvements to our lives and surroundings, we are most likely going to have to do so in spite of critical statements, critical reactions, and, worst of all, critical-judgmental glares. 

The Apostle rebukes the critics in the Church at Corinth in this passage. They were calling in to question his marital status and his right to accept financial support.  As it is with most situations in dealing with critics, when the truth was revealed, it exposed their desire to destroy someone and not their attempt to build up anything.  Consider this, when you are made aware of a flaw in a person’s character, Christ has given you a prayer request, while at the same time, Satan has presented you with a criticism.  Believer, whose offer will you accept?

I Corinthians 9:1- 12:

1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 

2  If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 

3  Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 

4  Have we not power to eat and to drink? 

5  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? 

6  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working? 

7  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 

8  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 

9  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 

10  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 

11  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? 12  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.