“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.”
The
Corinthian church was splitting into factions.
They were choosing sides. In their anger they had stopped discussing
issues and started arguing positions.
Does
that sound familiar?...
Our
culture has adopted the mentality of sports fans when it comes to disagreements…accepting
only facts that confirm our beliefs… assassinating the character of those who
oppose us…and forming teams of only likeminded people.
Paul
say the problem is arrogance…and a truthful look in the mirror should put an
end to it.
Realizing
what a fool I was without Christ should make it difficult for me to sustain my contempt
for other fools. And an honest
assessment of me - should quickly soften my assessment of you.
The
problem is our ego…our efforts to defend our position leave little time for
self-evaluation… and even when we see our flaws we have become professional
blame shifters, unwilling to acknowledge our failings.
But
Paul says to own it. Remember the depth from which you have been raised.
When
was the last time you felt remorse for something you did? How long has it been
since you sincerely apologized to someone…not because you were caught, but
because you were sorry? If it’s been a while, that means you’re either perfect,
of you struggle with pride.
Paul
acknowledges we are called by God… however it is not our perfection but our flaws
that serve as credentials…. He says we were foolish enough to shame the wise - and
weak enough to shame the strong. It turns out we are “qualified” …. but those
qualifications should not cause us to boast, but to marvel at the grace of God.
If
I can recapture my amazement at God’s grace for me - it makes it easier to
extend that same grace to you.
I
need to remember the foolishness for which I have been forgiven – and learn to
disagree without dividing. I must embrace humility and allow it to cause me to adore
God, and value you enough to listen.
Take a good long look in the mirror today. “Think of what you were when you were called.” …and let that wipe away the pride that has blocked your vision of redemption and has stopped you from offering it to others.
“A Man Wrapped Up in Himself Makes a
Very Small Bundle.”
- Benjamin Franklin
- Benjamin Franklin
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