Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us!
How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ!
We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.

Who reigns on the throne of my life?

Some would say, honestly, “Me”. Others would dodge this question and say, “I just go with the flow.” And finally, some would say, “God does.” Most in the Corinthian church would have said the latter, I believe, based on Paul’s writings. They would have said the latter, but lived practically with “Me” on the throne.

Jesus famously said: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬)

Jesus later rebuked the Pharisees saying, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭42‬-‭47‬)

Paul describes the difference in appearance of a sold-out servant/follower of Jesus vs. one who merely gives lip service to his lordship, but keeps “Me” on the throne. Sold-out followers are seen as making decisions, at times, that the world seems foolish. They sacrifice everything, risk everything, and are weak, hungry, and hopeless. They work hard for the sake of the gospel. Because the truth is a light that points out the darkness of sin, and they preach the truth; they are cursed, slandered, and persecuted. Yet they return this mistreatment with kindness, blessing, and patient endurance.

Being a Christ-follower means self-sacrifice. It requires loyalty to God first. It means we care less about what others think about us. And that means we act in a way to honor the Lord first. And when we fall, we repent and get back on track.

It’s less about what we say, and more about how we operate and the values we hold dear.

Lord, thank you for this passage. It is so clear Paul wants us to understand that life with you is not a vacation destination, or a “Club Med”-type experience. It is all-out surrender, and it is real. It’s real in its power, and it is real in its sacrifice. Help me to stay focused on your Word and your Truth.