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Article Archive |
2007
No More Boasting About Men
by Jim Morris
Many people argue over matters of opinions. Think about it. Don't we tend to focus our energies on winning an argument or at least destroying the other person's position? We try to stack the odds in our favor. We horde only favorable scripture verses. We gather with like-minded brethren. However, have we not become guilty of narrowing our focus to the minute details of our own favored opinions? In the process, much harm is done among followers of Jesus. What can we do to stop the madness?
We must change our focus! We must look to God. We must see our lives from His perspective. We must “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). Only when we choose to glorify God first will all else fall into place.
Paul challenged the divisive Corinthians to stop boasting about men. At one time they had made the choice to follow Jesus. However, they had lost sight of Him when they focused on men -- Paul, Apollos and Cephas. The Corinthians needed to consider how they fit into God's plans. Thus, Paul thoughtfully described how all Christians fit in by using four metaphors of the church Christ died for in 1 Corinthians chapter three.
First, the church is God's FAMILY (3:1-4). Jealousy and quarreling proved that they were worldly, immature like infants, just mere men. Spiritually mature Christians do not embrace “preacher-itis.”
Second, the church is God's FIELD (3:5-9). God gave the Corinthians Paul to plant His word in their hearts and Apollos to water the seed. However, it is God who causes the growth. We should appreciate the gifts that others use to help us but it is always the Giver who causes the growth.
Third, the church is God's HOUSE (3:10-15). God is the architect of His church, that is, His house. He has the plans. We merely build according to His blueprint. Fire will reveal the quality of each person's work and the reward that is due.
Finally, the church is God's TEMPLE (3:16-17). The church is not just any old building. It is the temple of the Holy Spirit. God lives in His people! Thus, if anyone attempts to destroy God's temple, then that person will be destroyed!
“Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a 'fool' so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: 'He catches the wise in their craftiness' ; and again, 'The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.' So then, NO MORE BOASTING ABOUT MEN! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God” (3:18-23).
09-05-07
# 36
