Daily Devotion with Pastor Tong Liu: Today's Passage

1 Corinthians 4:14-16

I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you, as my dear children. Even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

Paul has reminded us here that it is easy to be guardians, or teachers, on our spiritual journey to serve God, and that's why he said that "even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers."

Teachers like to pass on their knowledge. Chinese people in particularly value the transfer of knowledge and concept of being scholarly. We believe the knowledge is extremely important, so members of Chinese churches like to attend training sessions and Sunday school, thinking that as long as we are trained we are all set to go. The reality, however, is never that straight forward. It's easy to pass on knowledge, but it takes time and effort to pass on life. We often overlook the passing on of life, but the Bible clearly tells us that knowledge will only make us proud and arrogant. The more knowledge we have, the more we think we are capable; the more knowledge we have, the less we think of others. When we have a ton of knowledge inside, we think we are more spiritual, and it leads us to not only become more proud, but also make us judge and criticize others.

When a church is filled with teachers, it is may also be filled with criticism and judgment, because teachers like to stress on right and wrong. It's certainly important to differentiate between right and wrong, but it will not truly build up a life. Paul said that "even though you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers;" fathers treat others like their children; it involved sharing of life and acceptance. It's not just about right and wrong, but it's a connection that builds a relationship.

Fathers are entirely different from teachers. Teachers value what's right and wrong, but fathers value the relationship and understands that building up of life is a long-term process. May God help us, let us becomes fathers, not just teachers, in the church. Let us value the importance of building lives and relationships, so that the church may be filled with the love of Christ. We will only have no fear if we are in love, and we can only grow to maturity if we are in love. May God help us to become fathers in Him!

Pray with Pastor Tong

Lord, I ask that you once again have mercy on us. We often like to be teachers and we judge others on what's right or wrong, thinking that it makes us spiritual. Lord, we want to be the fathers who can pass on life and build up relationships, so that your will may be done. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!