The problem with these Corinthian Christians was that they thought they were above the rest. That’s what division does. It belittles the other person that you disagree with. It elevates you above the rest. You become someone. If you throw into the mix the blessings God bestows on you then actually you may not look anything like the person who first knelt before the cross.
But can you remember the previous you?
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’”
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Think of what you were years ago. Paul uses words like foolish, weak, lowly, despised and basically a nobody. Yet God called you. In that state. What was the worst thing about you when He saved you? He saved you anyway! Your ‘right thinking, right living, a clean slate and a fresh start (the Message) is brought about by Jesus. You cannot boast. You cannot look down on others who are not behaving the way you are. Your only boast is that of Christ and what He has done.
So what?
- Your past life does not define who you will become in the Kingdom of God.
- The call of God on your life transcends anything you have done previously.
- A life characterised by humility is a life where Jesus is seen.
So climb down from your high horse. Your righteousness, holiness and redemption had nothing to do with what you had achieved, or learnt or earned. Can you remember? It was all of Christ. That day when as a foolish, weak, lowly, despised nobody you heard a foolish, weak, lowly, despised message from a foolish, weak, lowly, despised and nobody-preacher, it was then that you encountered the power and the wisdom of God. It still happens today. It is remarkable. Every day the foolish are finding that Christ has done it all so that no one can boast. He takes all the glory.
Never forget who you were and where you came from. The Church should not be divided especially the Church that remembers who they were.
Missions Paul 