Monday, February 16, 2009

First Corinthians

1 Corinthians Chpt 1
The Apostle Paul hits the nail on the head. "Let there be no divisions among you." Out with nit picking, out with petty quarrels and power plays. Why? The world is lost, dying and going to hell. Do we hammer out policy? Yes. Do we push to understand and sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron? Yes.
What I have observed in churches and in other organizations is that there is nothing easier for Satan than to start a little fight and blow the whole thing up. Over the years I get lots of excuses from inside and outside the church. I left because they were fighting over... Frequently it involves money, but not always. Nothing stunts or stops church and individual spiritual growth like division. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Jesus. We had best not be too idealistic on friction. Whenever there are people there will be friction. A good resolved conflict or division is often a strength. But everyone has different tolerance levels for such things.
In the later section of this chapter I find some fun phrases. God uses the foolish to shame the wise. The powerless to shame the powerful and the despised by the world to bring to nothing what the world considers important. Why? So no one can boast in themselves. It's kindof like the trick up God's sleeve - the child that blows your mind by simple kindness, the stereotype that is wrecked in some way and simply when God does a wonder. Let us only boast in Him!

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