Spiritual superstars

When one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? — 1 Corinthians 3:4                      

Superstars abound in today’s culture. Great soccer players can create such excitement that fans have been known to riot in the bleachers. Popular musicians have fans who stand with adoration throughout entire concerts. And Hollywood celebrities hire bodyguards to protect themselves from adoring stalkers.

The first-century Corinthian believers had become divided over their own “spiritual superstars.” Paul viewed such favoritism as a reflection of the sinful nature in a believer’s unyielded heart. “For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?” he asked (1 Cor. 3:4).

The apostle’s teaching on how we view Christian leaders puts the topic in a biblical perspective that provides mutual appreciation for those who minister: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase” (v.6). Each person did his part: Paul had planted spiritual seed through evangelism, and Apollos had watered it with his eloquent Bible teaching. But it was God alone who made the seed of spiritual life grow. He alone is the “superstar.”

We should be careful not to put any Christian leader on a pedestal. Instead, let’s appreciate how God is using a variety of spiritual leaders for His honor and His glory. — Dennis Fisher                       

 

 Lord, give us wisdom. We know it’s good to follow the example of our godly leaders, but help us not to think so highly of them that we worship them instead of You. Amen.

READ: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15

  Each person has his place in God’s service, and only God deserves the glory.  

The Bible in one year:

• 1 Samuel 4-6; Luke 9:1-17