“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” — 1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV
In Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church, he rebuked them several times for some bad practices they were involved in. One of them was people boasting about the ministers they were following. Some said they were following Apollos. Others say they were also following Paul (1 Corinthians 4:6). Meanwhile, they didn’t understand that God was the One who had transformed both great ministers’ lives and given them a message to preach.
When God was training both Paul and Apollos, none of these Corinthians was there. Their doctrine about Christ was (and is still) accurate. But while preaching to the believers, they started hailing Paul and Apollos too much. Today, this thing is still happening. Some people celebrate pastors more than God, and it’s very wrong.
Don’t build people as a leader in Christ to become dependent on you, but on God.
Tweet
In an information-saturated world and social media, it has become common for people to follow and listen to specific ministers of Christ online. All these things are good. But the truth is, God doesn’t replace any of them. Who you’re listening to is also listening to God, who gave him the message he’s preaching. So follow ministers once what they’re teaching is leading you to Christ.
On the other hand, if you’re in leadership like I do, don’t build people to become dependent on you, but on God. Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for boasting about the knowledge they received from him. He could have taken the glory and become happy about it, but he didn’t. Paul understood the principles of Christian leadership, especially in the church.
If you have a congregation, whether physically, online or both, continue teaching them God’s Word. Your words as a minister will impact them. However, never forget that you’re stewarding Jesus’ sheep, and your goal is to help them to become more Christ-like through your divine message. Do that diligently.
You’re a blessing.
Prayer
Father, I repent of anything I’ve done (or doing) to make Your sheep dependent on me as their leader instead of depending on You. Give me the grace to rebuke any wrong attitude that doesn’t reflect Christ in our broken world with all authority. Teach me Your Word, so I can live with it and get some to teach Your people daily. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Devotional Code: KGD // 2022 – 341
Download Quote and Share
