Paul preaching–maybe this time we’ll listen.
Where is the church in which the members enjoy perfect harmony? St. Paul would have given much to find it. But he was stuck in Corinth, the Las Vegas of the Roman world.
I’ve been reading 1 Corinthians, and a few things have jumped out at me–things I hadn’t noticed before. They show us what Paul was up against.
*Although the church was only a few years old, it was already splitting into factions. “Now this I say,” wrote Paul, “that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified of you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (Verses 12-13). We’re so glad that sort of thing doesn’t happen in churches today, aren’t we?
*In Chapter 5 Paul notes, “It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.” All sorts of bad behavior going on…
*And in Chapter 6 he has to chide the church members for suing each other in the Greek and Roman courts–pagan courts–rather than submitting their disputes to the church for mediation.
Yes, they kept him busy.
We don’t check human nature at the door when we go to church. It comes in with us, and we all know of churches that fell apart because of jealousy, contentiousness, and strife among the congregation. Church fights can be nasty.
Paul urged forgiveness, forbearance, patience and a resolve to keep their eyes on the objective: to preach the Gospel, to know Christ, and to serve God. We’re still learning how to do that. And still bickering. In spite of human failings, the Church continues its mission in a fallen world. Paul’s work was hard on him, but not in vain. And thanks to the Bible, he still speaks to us.
Let’s listen.