DON’T BE A GROUPIE QUARRELER

DON’T BE A GROUPIE QUARRELER

For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? —I Corinthians 1:11-13

            Are you a personality follower?  Or, are you a denominational follower?  That is not necessarily wrong, unless of course you argue with others that your personality or denomination is the “right” one.

            Paul was addressing this problem as the Corinthians were quarreling among themselves over who they “belonged” to.  Some said they were of Paul, others, Apollos, others Cephas and others Christ.  The simple statement Paul mentions is— “Is Christ divided?”  Was Paul or any of these others mentioned crucified for you?  Of course not.  The unifying factor is who Jesus is as the Crucified  and resurrected Christ.  That is of utmost importance and should unify followers of Jesus and not fragment them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6kOkIJV-0M

            What is your attitude toward other leaders in the Body of Christ, other local churches or other denominations?  My wife was telling me awhile back that when she had attended a women’s seminar the women around their table were introducing themselves and one of the things they were asked to mention was where they “attended church.”  After my wife responded one of the women said to her, “Oh, you go to that tiny thing.”  Wow… talk about a misunderstanding of the church that person had…

            But truly, what do we think of other leaders, churches or denominations?  Do we argue against them?  If so, we have a skewed and warped understanding of what the Body of Christ is.  May we seek to love other believers without arguing over who they may follow, what local church they attend or denomination they may belong to.  And let us focus on the mission Jesus gave us to be witnesses and make disciples until the end of the age.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  So may it be! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKTqwBetI1I