Putting Us In Our Place

Text: 1 Corinthians 3:18-23 Theme: We do not need to vie for position or find our identity in certain people since we belong to Christ. Key verses: “If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a ‘fool’ so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight.” (v. 18-19) “So then, no more boasting about men! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future — all are yours, and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” (v. 21-23) What God said to me: Dwayne, think you’re pretty smart, do you? Think you’re doing a good job “navigating” your way through these opportunities of late? If it weren’t for your incredible persistence and careful strategizing some of these doors would not even be open. Is that what you think? Well, news flash for you: You belong to me and all is therefore yours. Any open door you have has come to you because I ordained it and because you are in me. Any favor you notice from other godly people comes because of the favor you have found in me. Now on the other side of that coin, be very leary of those who will want to rally around you and claim your theology as their own. Some will love you to the point that they will not even scrutinize what you write or say. (By the same turn, others will despise you despite what you write or say.) Keep your eyes and ears and heart turned upward toward me. Give me every ounce of credit and seek me with every decision and before every email or phone call you make. Furthermore, be real quick to point others toward me and away from you. It is fine if they compliment you and it is wonderful if they encourage and appreciate you. But they, like you, need to be reminded of Whose dirt ball you are spinning on, and of Whose you are, and what I have made you to be in me. What I said to God: Holy and Righteous God and Master and Creator. Elohim and El Shaddai, I worship You alone. Forgive me for those moments when I think I am crafting my life and scheming my way to success. Any true success I have ever had or will ever have is Your doing, not mine. I know I must remain faithful to You and follow You, but You are the One who makes me a fisher of men. Please help me point those men, women and children straight back to the Source of true satisfaction and peace and eternal life — You, my Father, Savior, Shepherd and Friend.