Knowing what is NOT is as important as what is.

We come to the division within the church at Corinth.

“What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ”. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1 v 12-17)

We can sum it up this way: they had taken their eyes off Jesus. Even the ones who said, ‘we follow Christ’ carries an air of smugness in the context of the major division with everyone else. Baptism seemed to be playing a part so that you became a disciple of someone other than Jesus. Do we have those problems today? I think we know the answer.

There are times when I struggle to understand the arguments the Church divides over. There are plenty of people who are more well-read on subjects and articulate the arguments better than I could. The more I get older the less I am sure of. However, these verses help me to realise knowing what is NOT is as important (maybe more so) than knowing any new theory or argument etc.

Paul says:

1. I know Christ is NOT divided. For when we have a Christ for this group and a Christ for that group then our eyes are off Jesus and are on ourselves.
2. I know the Cross has NO OTHER NAME attached to it other than Christ. There are great men and women around the world. They carry graces on their lives that are outstanding: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher. But their name or their office is not worthy to hang on the cross.
3. I know the Call is NOT TO BE POPULAR, to get a following, to enter into a competition, to be the Saviour. Knowing what I should not do helps serve my true call. Those who are operating within their calling continually realign themselves to the reason why they have been called. For Christ did not send me …. but to ….

Making sure I know what is not helps me to keep my eyes on Jesus and off others and even myself.