Follow Christ, Not People

Life Lessons From 1 Corinthians, (1:10-17)

I can remember when I was a “Bible Study Novice.” I had never done a formal Bible study before and wasn’t familiar with many of the women’s studies writers. But it was pretty clear from the selection of studies that the church I attended favored one particular writer over all the others.

The favored writer was excellent, and I enjoyed her studies, but I noticed that some attendees were more enthralled with the writer than the God she wrote about. I’m sure she didn’t mean for it to happen, it just did. And, if a study by a different writer was offered, there wasn’t much excitement for the offering.

After Paul finished introducing his letter to the church in Corinth, he began to confront the sin in the church. The first sin he addressed was division in the church caused by quarreling over their leaders. But the root of the problem was that the believers were following people, not Christ. And perhaps the leaders’ pride enjoyed the loyalty?

To whom are we devoted? Who has our affection? Paul appeals to the church to be united in mind and thought.

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”
1 Corinthians 1:10 (NLT)

A Christian’s loyalties should lie with Christ. We are to follow Jesus, not people. If all believers prioritize and love Christ, and seek to exalt Him with their lives, unity will be a natural result. And, all of us should be pointing others to Christ, not ourselves.