Are You Rowing?

" This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me." -1Cor 4:1-4 (NIV)

I had a friend of mine explain this verse to me in such a way: On the old Roman ships, there were three different levels. The top level was for the elite and free- sort of like on the Titanic. The middle level was for the servants, basically slaves with some privileges. The very bottom was for the slaves- the rowers of the boat. They had one purpose in life and that was to row. As an "under rower" as they were called, you had virtually zero rights. You rowed when told, ate, and slept in the same manner. You didn't even have the right to consider yourself to be a good rower! You were the bottom of the bottom. However, should you do good and receive acknowledgement from someone in high standing- you were allowed to move up a deck. Ultimately, you may even get to the top level to say hi to the elite once in a while- but only if given the privilege.

In today's passage Paul compares himself to an under rower. He explains that none of the Corinthians has the right to judge him (even for the better); Paul says he doesn't even have the right to judge himself! The only One who can judge, elevate, and exalt us is God. Paul's mentality of being a bond servant of Christ, a slave to righteousness, is his way of telling us that none of us should move until God says so. We are also to do this with an attitude of gratitude, not complaining (Phil 2:14). We were created with one purpose: to worship and praise our Lord. When we walk in good standing with Him, He will then elevate us- thus bringing us honor and reward. Just as it is in Jesus' parable in Luke 14, those who exalt themselves will be humbled; but those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:7-11). So the question today is: Are you rowing? Keep those oars in the water and do not consider yourself to be any higher than an under rower. When you stay faithful, God will bring you up a deck. Eventually, we will even be dancing on the top floor with the King!