Seen as the Scum of the Earth

Feb 3, 2021 at 6:17 AM

When we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment, we have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world. (1 Corinthians 4:13, NIV)

In Paul’s time, Christians were seen as garbage—worthless, despised by the world.

Strangely enough, I’ve never thought of “Christian” as synonymous with garbage. Quite the opposite. I’m proud to be a Christian and proud of the civilization built on Christian values. I often recount to family and friends the positive changes Christianity has brought to the world. Consider the changes it brought to modern China: many of the top universities and best hospitals were first established by missionaries and Christians. (Though, in the end, I find myself lamenting: times have changed, and things have been taken over.)

Even today, I can point to many examples proving Christians are not the scum of the earth. For instance, the moral conduct of most Christians is above the societal average, and many Christian families are happier and more harmonious.

I refuse to accept it! How can we be seen as garbage? How can we be rejected by the world?

Although Christianity and its associated civilization bring great benefits to the world, one thing remains unchanged from Paul’s time: the world is opposed to Christ. At its core, concerning Christ’s gospel, Christianity and Christians are still perceived as garbage—worthless, discarded by everyone.

If I continue to boast about the external changes Christianity brings to the world or the good behavior of Christians to prove “we are not garbage”, to debate with the world, or even to ingratiate myself with it, then I too become anti-Christ.

Christ’s gospel has set me apart from the world, making me different—not different in behavior, but in identity. Because of Jesus’ death, sinners are seen as righteous by God; our perspectives and values are different.

The Jesus whom the world despises, I must treasure as the most invaluable part of my life, to be sold for all I have to obtain this precious pearl. What the world considers precious and worth chasing, I must view as dung, avoiding it at all costs.

Lord, help me renew my “perspective”.

Gratitude:

1. Thank God for being the support for me and my family. Life has a lot of uncertainties, near-misses, and even dangers, but God is my support. When I pray to Him, I find peace in my heart. My daughter often has nosebleeds, as do many other kids around, but we’re still worried about illnesses like leukemia. When we’re anxious, we pray, and in prayer, we find peace (even when faith is weak, at least we gain temporary peace; daily peace for daily needs). Taking her for some tests today, praying for God’s protection.
2. Thank God for guiding us to start family worship. It’s simple: we sing a hymn, read a Psalm, and each shares their prayer items for the day (repentance, thanks, requests). Through worship, we’re enjoying family harmony and praying for adults and kids to worship God from the heart.
3. Thank Brant for inviting me to Clubhouse. It’s quite interesting. While I’m not keen or addicted to online socializing, I’m very interested in new products and novel experiences.