Glory-Grabbing

Good morning,

The text for today is from the third chapter of 1 Corinthians.

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

In 1 Corinthians 3:1-8, Paul returns to a theme he started in chapter 1:  the Corinthians had fractured themselves into factions, based on who led them to their relationship with Jesus Christ. Paul makes it plain that this type of "loyalty" is wrong, not only because it divides the Body, but also because it hijacks God's glory - - - causing what belongs to Him to be given to a human.

Paul rightly points out that when God works through His children, that is exactly what is happening: He is using us for the advancement of His kingdom and for His glory.  When we try to snatch that glory away for ourselves, we are stealing from God what is rightfully his.

Whether we "plant" or "water" is irrelevant.  What matters is whether or not we are humble and faithful.  When we humbly obey, God will use us to bring about a spiritual harvest.  He will do it in His own way, in His own time (both of which are usually not the same as ours!)

Too often we view a situation as if it all depends on us.  While we are called to humility and faithful obedience, it is up to God's Holy Spirit what happens next.  This morning I had the privilege to help a fellow believer.  In a sense, I was "watering".  Now, it is up to God to do His mighty work in her life. I will continue to pray over her and her challenges.  Only God, working through her willing heart, can bring "the increase", or a better term might be "the bountiful harvest".

This past weekend, I was interviewed by ABC News and had 10 seconds of fame on the national evening news.  It was really fun!  But, that is all it was: fun.  I am not seeking to "build a following" or to make a name for myself.  It was merely a chance encounter that subjected millions of people to my horribly nasal speaking voice.  (Sen. Ted Cruz and I - - - we have that unfortunate characteristic in common, poor guy!)

The stakes are much higher when Christians seek to "build a name for themselves" in local fellowships.  (Church fellowships should not feel to members as if they are in the midst of a presidential election cycle!) Look what it did to the Corinthian church.  It led to arguments, envy and ultimately to debauchery.  There was so much confusion that many baby Christians reverted back to their old ways of sinful living.

So, once again that old enemy, Pride, must be put to death, in our daily lives.  It is all about Him.

Father, may this be my prayer: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen."  (Romans 11:36, NASB)