You belong to Christ: 1 Corinthians 3.1–23 (Day 241)

Pray

Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.

Read

1 Samuel 21–22 1 Corinthians 3 Ezekiel 1 Psalm 37

Daily reflection: 1 Corinthians 3

There's a big difference between theory and practice. The Corinthians have read Paul's inspiring words about the power of God at work in believers in the previous chapter, but then he takes them by surprise: he says bluntly that they're behaving like children, and acting as though they don't have the Spirit at all.

There is a division in the church about authority. Some follow Paul, and some Apollos, a powerful and effective speaker introduced in Acts 18.24–28. There's no indication that Apollos was behind these divisions, and it looks as though it was just the Corinthians' spiritual immaturity that was to blame. Instead of focusing on Christ, they attached themselves to Christ's ministers. Paul warns them that they run the risk of 'destroying God's temple', the church, if they carry on as they are (verses 16–17).

Christians run the same temptation today of being over-impressed by powerful speakers or charismatic leaders. There are gifted people whom we ought to respect and value, but there can be a cult of leadership that is unhelpful and even dangerous. If we look to our leaders to tell us what to think or what to do, we risk dividing churches and even falling into serious sin – when we 'idolise' our heroes, we literally make idols of them.

Paul reminds us of the privilege of belonging to Christ: our relationship with him is direct and personal. But that's also a responsibility: we mustn't let anyone else come between us (verses 22–23).

Pray

God, thank you for leaders and teachers who can bless me and bless the church. Let me never forget that they are your servants too; and let me never lose my focus on Christ.