John 17: 21a May they all be one, as You, Father, are in Me and I am in You. (HCSB)
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Tuesday, January 08, 2008
First Corinthians: Entrusted Servants
Let's recap the corrections Paul wrote to the Corinthians in the first four chapters, addressing the factions in Corinth.
First, they should not be forming factions behind different leaders, because only one leader was crucified for them. Because of the gospel of Christ, they should remain united in Christ.
Second, they should not be forming factions based on the supposed wisdom of different leaders, because God has shown that the wisdom of man is foolishness. Instead, they should unite behind the "foolishness" of the gospel, in which is the power and wisdom of God.
Third, they should not be forming factions based on their preferences for different leaders' approach to building the church. It is true that the approach to building can make a significant difference. But we are not to judge such things before the appointed time, when the Day will bring them to light. The builders will be held accountable by God for their work. As long as the leaders are building on the foundation of the gospel of Christ, the church is to accept and to cooperate with their efforts.
Instead, the congregation should regard their leaders as servants of God, who have been entrusted with the message of God, and who will give an account to God for how they carried out that trust.
Today, in the same way, we should respect those church leaders who "do it differently" from us. Of course there can be no other foundation laid than the gospel of Christ. But on top of that foundation, we can see many different approaches being taken to building a church. Some are better than others. But it is not our job to judge between these approaches. We would probably get it wrong anyway. Instead we are to accept one another. And as leaders, we are to build in the best way we know how, as servants who will be held accountable.
First, they should not be forming factions behind different leaders, because only one leader was crucified for them. Because of the gospel of Christ, they should remain united in Christ.
Second, they should not be forming factions based on the supposed wisdom of different leaders, because God has shown that the wisdom of man is foolishness. Instead, they should unite behind the "foolishness" of the gospel, in which is the power and wisdom of God.
Third, they should not be forming factions based on their preferences for different leaders' approach to building the church. It is true that the approach to building can make a significant difference. But we are not to judge such things before the appointed time, when the Day will bring them to light. The builders will be held accountable by God for their work. As long as the leaders are building on the foundation of the gospel of Christ, the church is to accept and to cooperate with their efforts.
Instead, the congregation should regard their leaders as servants of God, who have been entrusted with the message of God, and who will give an account to God for how they carried out that trust.
Today, in the same way, we should respect those church leaders who "do it differently" from us. Of course there can be no other foundation laid than the gospel of Christ. But on top of that foundation, we can see many different approaches being taken to building a church. Some are better than others. But it is not our job to judge between these approaches. We would probably get it wrong anyway. Instead we are to accept one another. And as leaders, we are to build in the best way we know how, as servants who will be held accountable.
Labels: First Corinthians
¶ 12:16 PM
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Excellent post brother as always.
I pray and hope that you and your family have a blessed yeear. I am sorry I haved posted on your blog in a while things have been very crazy. I haven't felt good. Then holidays out of town. I have been reading and enjoyed. I will continue to read your blog on regular basis. I pray that God will bless you spiritually this as you been a big influence on my faith and life this past year.
In Him,
Kinney Mabry
I pray and hope that you and your family have a blessed yeear. I am sorry I haved posted on your blog in a while things have been very crazy. I haven't felt good. Then holidays out of town. I have been reading and enjoyed. I will continue to read your blog on regular basis. I pray that God will bless you spiritually this as you been a big influence on my faith and life this past year.
In Him,
Kinney Mabry
Alan - I've been enjoying this series and this post was particularly helpful to me. It helped me set aside as 'OK' the different way that others 'do church' or even different doctrines of sincere people. Things that I plainly see as harmful, wrong or just not the best. I can speak my piece but beyond that, it's up to God.
It can be hard to let go sometimes. Thanks for the reminder that it's not our place to pass judgement.
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It can be hard to let go sometimes. Thanks for the reminder that it's not our place to pass judgement.
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