Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ." - 1 Corinthians 1:12
Once upon a time, the organization with which I served was involved in assessing the need to promote a church planting strategy that would address the various segments of a culture known for its highly-defined social strata. At a meeting with influential leaders, I was reminded that sinful mankind will never cease to identify new methods of proving their inherent worth over others. No matter how low we may be on the socioeconomic scale, we are often convinced that we are still "better than" some. Isn't it unfortunate that such "ranking" might also find its way into the local church?
Paul wrote to a Corinthian church that struggled to maintain biblical unity. One of the chief enemies of such unity was (and still is) pride. Some in Corinth were proud of their ties to Paul. They probably considered themselves "better" because they were some of the first to believe. Others were proud of their link to Apollos. They probably considered themselves "better" because they were more studious and educated. Still others were proud of their association with Cephas (Peter). These probably considered themselves "better" because their faith came straight from one of the original twelve. Finally, there were those who were proud (possibly) of their own humility for they were "of Christ." They might have considered themselves "better" because they were the most spiritual.
Of which "camp" are you? Did you come to the church before anyone else? Do you feel you possess a greater understanding of the Scriptures? Are you committed to preserving the "traditions" that you feel are disappearing? Do all those described above offend your spiritual sensibilities and make you want to leave the local church for "something" better? Here is the good news. All positions, absent of pride, are valid and all are needed. The bad news is that we too easily dismiss others in favor our own position. The unity of a local church (or any ministry that exists for God's glory and purpose) is partly maintained in and by the recognized value of all the saints in the service of the Savior.
Two things are said to be very rare sights in the world. One is a young man humble and the other is an old man content. - J. C. Ryle
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