Become like “the rubbish of the

“When slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things. To this every day.” 1 Corinthians4:13

This isn’t a dramatization. As Christians, we can’t see the effects of the words to us. Not because Paul’s words were not true, but there are so many things attached by us, so we wouldn’t like to let ourselves to become “the rubbish of the world.” This is not the evidence of sanctification, but the performance of setting apart for the gospel.

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to get you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter4:12

If we feel surprised for the things met, that means that we are the weak timid person. We often care our images to avoid ourselves to fall into the mud. We often tell ourselves that we can’t bow. In fact, we needn’t do that. We can clench our teeth to get through the difficulties. We can refuse the Lord and don’t let him set apart us for the gospel. Maybe we will say that so long as the gospel can be preached, even if we are regarded as "the rubbish of the world", we don’t mind.

The Christ Jesus’s servants would like to preach the gospel to receive the martyrdom. When a good moral integrity person touches the obscene things, the goodness of human nature makes him feel naupathia, even let him hold back. He will close the heart in despair. On the contrary, the strangest aspect about God’s salvation is that God also loves the people with the monstrous crimes. Paul didn’t say that God would set apart him and made him become a lovely person, but reveal God’s son in him.