a very small thing

But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court…but the one who examines me is the Lord.

1 Corinthians 4:3-4

If you’ve been a follower of Christ for a while, and you’re regularly spending time in the Bible (hope you are!), then you’ve likely experienced the truth of Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. It’s weird to think of a book being “living and active”—but this isn’t just any book. It’s God’s breathed-out Word. (Take a look at Psalm 119 for all kinds of goodness about how we should view and handle what God has to say.)

With this “living” document, have you ever been reading verses you’ve studied in the past (maybe even numerous times—for years) only to see a phrase or word you’ve not seen before? It’s amazing how the Holy Spirit opens our eyes to additional Scriptural truths as our sanctification walk progresses. This happened to me the other night during a teaching from a visiting pastor to our church.

I’ve read Corinthians (both letters) numerous times over the past 25 years—like all 13 books from Paul, these are instructive, inspiring, and convicting. But the first 5 verses of 1 Corinthians, chapter 4 “suddenly” had new stuff in there. My Bible underlining and circling revealed my initial focus on being a trustworthy servant of Christ and steward of God’s truth. But the other night, the Holy Spirit opened up verses 3 and 4 in a powerful way.

Based on the power of the gospel, we are completely transformed. Paul and the other New Testament writers make it clear that the Great Exchange gives us a new identity in Christ. We become children of God, royal, holy, righteous (1 Peter 2:9; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:21). And, with this understanding, Paul springboards into verse 3: “But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you.” Paul is basically saying, “I am free of your opinion of me!” How amazing is this revelation? How much time do we spend worrying about what everyone else thinks about us? Our culture, in fact, is all about the likes and comments. We perform to accumulate the accolades of people we don’t even know. But, as followers of Jesus, we don’t have to care about that. At all. 

“The one who examines me is the Lord,” Paul emphasizes. The only One whose opinion matters is God! And we have already been defined by Him, remember? So, as believers, we go from men-pleasers to God-pleasers (Galatians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4). We are free to focus on walking according to God’s Word, doing life for His glory as ambassadors of the Kingdom. Free from the accusations—and acclaims—of others, as we follow Jesus on the Narrow Path against the cultural tide. 

Free. Following, trusting, and pleasing God—in confidence (Psalm 56:11; Psalm 118:6; Hebrews 13:6). The mocking of the world? The not-so-subtle eyerolls we get? The outright persecution because we follow the Lord’s commands? Friend, join me in standing stand firm on this beautiful fact: it’s a very small thing. 

Lord, I love You and trust You—what can man do to me? Help me live for You, the Audience of One (Colossians 3:23-24), knowing that the judgments, taunts, even accolades of this world are nothing.