Context
Perhaps the best way to picture this book is to see Paul as a fireman and this book as the red truck. Some of the more faithful members of the church at Corinth wrote Paul to tell him of the serious issues going on and he hopped on the truck, started up the siren, and tried to hose down the errors.
In chapter 3 we find out that one of the biggest problems was schism. They had broken down into little groups - Paul, Apollos, Peter, Jesus. Each group lay claim to being God's favorite children. In this chapter Paul makes it clear that this schismatic impulse is a sign of immaturity and a lack of understanding of God's work.
The passage also includes a wonderful teaching, rooted in that concept, about the importance of building using the right materials because our works as Christians will one day be reviewed by the Savior - not for heaven or hell but for reward.
In chapter 3 we find out that one of the biggest problems was schism. They had broken down into little groups - Paul, Apollos, Peter, Jesus. Each group lay claim to being God's favorite children. In this chapter Paul makes it clear that this schismatic impulse is a sign of immaturity and a lack of understanding of God's work.
The passage also includes a wonderful teaching, rooted in that concept, about the importance of building using the right materials because our works as Christians will one day be reviewed by the Savior - not for heaven or hell but for reward.
Devotional - Baby Christians Fight
My precious granddaughter has a habit of getting into fights and throwing fits when she plays with her cousins. They fight over toys. They grab and get upset. That is the nature of toddlers. They bicker. It is also the nature of toddler Christians. Unfortunately, many Christians never move beyond the toddler phase.
What is it that marks a mature Christian? Is it a deep knowledge of the Bible and theology? It is a conformity to a certain set of lifestyle guidelines? Can it be measured by a level of activity in the church - leadership positions, teaching, service? Of course each of these has its place. A knowledge of the Bible is foundational to all Christian growth. We should be conformed to Christ and live in obedience to him. We ought to be devoted to the people of God. But Paul had something else in mind when he spoke of spiritual maturity, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.
What is it that marks a mature Christian? Is it a deep knowledge of the Bible and theology? It is a conformity to a certain set of lifestyle guidelines? Can it be measured by a level of activity in the church - leadership positions, teaching, service? Of course each of these has its place. A knowledge of the Bible is foundational to all Christian growth. We should be conformed to Christ and live in obedience to him. We ought to be devoted to the people of God. But Paul had something else in mind when he spoke of spiritual maturity, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.
Brothers, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still fleshly.
After leading off with encouragement in chapter 1, Paul said some harsh things to the Corinthians about their sinful attitudes. Here he accused them of being immature Christians who lacked spiritual patterns of thinking. We are born with a mind bound to the flesh and to sin. Christ comes in and begins to reprogram us, to give us "the mind of Christ" so that we think biblically, spiritually, in accord with the character and purposes of God.
That had not yet happened in the Corinthians. They were still immature in their thinking, unspiritual, fleshly. But what was the marker of that immaturity? Paul makes that clear in verses 3-4.
For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and living like unbelievers? For whenever someone says, “I’m with Paul,” and another, “I’m with Apollos,” are you not unspiritual people?
Envy. Strife. Division. Dissension. Schism. Immature Christians tend to divide over secondary issues, especially personalities. I like this preacher. I like that. I'm into this teaching. I'm into that. I'm loyal to this. I'm loyal to that. Some of the Corinthians were followers of Paul. Some followed Apollos. Paul identified this as immaturity.
Let me make this as plain as I can. A divisive, angry, schismatic spirit is a marker of spiritual immaturity. Mature Christians seek unity with other believers, even those with whom they disagree, who have different backgrounds, loyalties and preferences. The tendency for schism comes from the flesh and is evidence of spiritual immaturity.
It is one of the most amazing moments in history, as Jesus looked down from the cross at the soldiers who had nailed him there and were now casting lots to divide his garments. "Father, forgive them," he prayed. Jesus, even in his pain, was about forgiveness and mercy.
Mature Christians mimic the grace of Jesus Christ. They seek to love and forgive and serve. They do not let little things, secondary issues, personal loyalties or preferences to become points of division in the Body of Christ.
Father, thank you for dealing with me on the basis of grace and not according to my own works. I have received life I didn't deserve instead of the death I did. May I also live in maturity, seeking unity in the Body of Christ instead of schism.
Think and Pray
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