Deeper Life #32

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

—1 Corinthians 3:8

THE APOSTLE PAUL CAUTIONS US about a dangerous snare when he tells us not to “glory in men” (1 Corinthians 3:21). That is exactly where the Corinthian church was trapped. They gloried in their leaders’ abilities, and this brought divisions. When will we learn that the best of men are but the best of men, and that the best of women are but the best of women?

These Corinthian Christians were dividing themselves by saying, “I believe Paul” or “I believe Apollos.” Paul said, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” (v. 5).

Paul warned the Corinthians, and he warns us in our own day, against aligning ourselves with certain personalities within Christ’s church, pitting ourselves against each other. We will always have leaders to instruct us in spiritual matters. But let us remember that we are Christ’s and Christ is God’s.

Prayer Thought: Let me learn that making other people my idols, even in church work, is an abomination to You, Lord.

SUGGESTED READING: 1 Corinthians 3:1–8