“I Am of Christ”
“I am of Christ.”
That sounds like such a nice descriptor. Others may claim to be of Paul, and others of Apollos (two influential teachers in Corinth) — but I am of Christ.
So why does one have the feeling that Paul didn’t have warm feelings about those who made that claim (1 Cor. 1:12)? Because there were schisms in the church in Corinth: maybe within the house churches, maybe between the house churches, perhaps when they all came together. And behind the schisms, there was a lot of pride at work and a dearth of love.
There were fracture lines appearing, partly because they were attached to their teachers in unhealthy ways (but ways that would have been familiar in Corinth).
But others, dripping in pride and exclusivism, were only “of Christ.”
That resonates with me. Because for part of my life I took pride in not being of Wesley or Calvin, of Luther, and certainly not of the Pope. Just a Christian.
The desire to be “just a Christ-follower” can be very healthy. But it must not become a source of separation from others whom we don’t deem to be just as pure; and it should not ignore the fact that we’ve been influenced by many men and women and of faith. None of us is completely objective. None of us is reading scripture without bias. None of us finds our place in the family of God by being perfect–either in living or in biblical interpretation.
As I lived in those words of Paul last week, it reminded me of how subtle and dangerous spiritual pride is. It is so well disguised, masquerading in costumes of restoration and humility.
Beware anytime there is a church or a group that thinks it has cornered the market on spirituality, interpretation, or missionality. Let us follow the leading of God’s Spirit as he helps us live for the sake of the world; but let us recognize that there are many, many other followers of Jesus who may worship differently, talk differently and think differently.
“Is this not the reletivism that we see in American society today.”
No. It’s humility. Big difference between relativism (which claims no ultimate truth) and humility (which recognizes that none of us is infallible).
I’m surprised that a few of you think Preacherman was roughed up in the comments. Did I miss something in reading through them? (I’ve been out today.) One person said that his comments are why he left Churches of Christ. All right, that probably hurt. Others disagreed with him (even as he disagreed with me). But that’s hardly roughing him up.
Preacherman is a part of this blog. He’s earned his say. I disagree with some of what he’s written today, but I’m all right with that. He doesn’t have to agree with me to post. But, he also has to be prepared for people to disagree with him. And I’m guessing, based on his comments here through the months, that he’s just fine with strong disagreements.
So Preacherman, keep it coming!
“They will know you are my disciples by your love”
Then again so much of Christianity has nothing to do with Christ.
Mike~
Would you please respond to my above question on divorce?
This has hit home with family members and close friends and I really want to understand why it is so acceptable in our churches today. G’ampa C is the only one on here who has ever cared to answer me.
Thanks!
Mike,
I think it is great that brothes can disagree and still be brothers.
I want to thank you letting me know the difference between reletivism and humility. I as a follower of Christ I am still learning. I am still growing. I am striving to be more like Him everyday. I am of Christ!
I enjoy your blog and your thoughts. I love your books. I agree with you alot of the time. I understand that Christians aren’t going to agree about everything. I know that not everyone is going to agree with me and I’m okay with that. Like you said I am fine with strong disagreements. I didn’t feel roughed up. Like you I enjoy making people think. If you look at my blog that is what it is all about.
I want to thank you for your blog and for making all of think and strive to be more like Christ. You and your blog have helped me have that Holy Hunger.
God bless you brother.
And yes I will keep it coming.
We have been busy the last few days celebrating the baseball Cardinals World Series victory in St. Louis. As I watched hundreds of thousands of fans celebrating something so worldly and transitory, I was struck by the theme that if one celebrated we were all part of “Cardinal Nation”. If the harlots, the sinners and tax collectors are going to go into the kingdom before those who are convinced of their own self-righteousness, I see a principle here. What Jesus was seeking were those who would rejoice and celebrate the good news of the kingdom. We don’t want to end up like the older brother in the parable of the lost son. We hear the music and dancing; but, we are stuck in the field feeling sorry for ourselves because of the redemptive love of the Father’s grace. It is time for Christians from all over the world to unite and celebrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ and become one nation. Unity will never be based upon knowledge. It must be founded upon on relationship. Wherever God has a child, we have a brother or sister.
And, how about those Cardinals!
Preacherman, Yes keep it coming. Your comments have always been very encouraging.
Reading through these comments has brought much emotion. I love that real discussion is happening. I love that family can converse and not always agree but still keep conversing. I love that. But I mostly love that all of you talking are seeking Jesus and his righteousness.
Lee, I really don’t wish to put my comments about divorce on this blog, but I would take the time to discuss this with you via email. If you would be interested, please post your email.
I realize that I am not Mike and that you don’t know me from Adam, but I am here.
Preacherman,
I did visit your blog and was quite impressed with your attitude and facilitation.
Blogs are a good tool to keep the mind moving. I don’t feel good about embracing the divorce issue as accepting so easily in our churches either. I know of many that could of been saved, some rather easy. I see many children that are so hurt. The issue is just very sad.
I do remember upon hearing about Mother Teresa’s death, it was said in a prayer by someone at church, Thank you for her life. Some older woman took offense and loudly proclaimed that woman is only going to burn in hell. I just shuttered. Unity became a turning point for me that morning.
I feel so blessed to be able to read and study and be able to express my thoughts–and be a woman.
Lee – regarding divorce. Paul Faulkner has some of the most enlightening and well thought out dialogue on divorce/remarriage within the church that I have heard. I wish I could tell you how to speak to Paul or obtain this information from him, but I didn’t find much help in my research. Sorry, maybe someone else knows how to contact Dr. Faulkner.
Kent – I’m working on getting you Dr. Faulkner’s e-mail address. I’ll e-mail you with the information when I get it.
Lots of interesting thoughts here, Mike.
I’m wondering about all the discussion over right and wrong, scriptural or not scriptural, and correct interpretation.
I guess I have come to a point in my walk where I have accepted a fact:
I am living in a constant state of being mistaken about scripture. What I thought was clearly black and white when I was 18 is not so sharp a distinction now. Many scriptures I interpret so much differently now than even 5 years ago. If I could get the whole intent of the Bible right in the first reading, I wouldn’t need to study it over and over, right? Isn’t that an admission of error, so to speak?
So, as I study, the Spirit takes me deeper into my walk, and with faith I am walking toward Jesus and not away from him. The whole right and wrong issue in scriptural interpretation is more of a journey than an arrival… so I am in a constant state of being wrong about some issues, issues upon which the Spirit is waiting to enlighten me, when I am able to receive it. It is humbling to know I have been wrong about so many things in the past, and had the pride to stomp on someone else who was struggling. I just don’t have a corner on the market of “correct” interpretation.
Wow, G’ampa C — amazing comment. Thank you for that.
Jesus does have high expectations for His church. He does expect us to live a holy and righteous life. We cannot allow the world around us to lower the high and holy standard of moral behavior and the relentless pursuit of studying the great doctrines of scripture and to mainatain a commitment to doctrinal purity.
” Dear children , do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous , just as he is righteous. ” I John 3 : 7
” But just as He who called you is holy , so be holy in all you do : for it is written : ” Be holy , beause I am holy . ” I Peter I : 15 and 16.
” What you have heard from me , keep as the pattern of sound teaching , with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. ” 2 Timothy 1 : 13 and 14
I’m a day late on this one, but was compelled to post a comment anyway. I think one way pride sneaks in is to make us lazy about our faith. We’re in, we figured everything out in the 50′s, so what’s left to ponder?
I am in a group where one of my friends is Hindu and the rest would probably claim they are of Christ. Ironically, this Hindu friend of mine seems much more devout in her faith than many of those who are “of Christ”.
I spend a lot of one on one time with this friend as well as some time with another lady who was raised in the “right church”. To be honest, if I were a seeker of faith my Hindu friend’s attitude and lifestyle would be more attractive than the one who is “of Christ”.
I’m not trying to suggest (what’s that word?) deism. Actually I am praying about how to share Jesus with my friend because I believe he is the only way to the Father. I’m merely suggesting we take following Christ seriously. We don’t have the market cornered on faith, unfortunately there are many faiths out there.
Not deism, pluralism. Knew it was an -ism.
And sorry if my comment was a tangent!
Preacherman is an excellent thinker. If you don’t believe me, read his posts. Find someone who agrees with you on 100% of the issues and I will say you just didn’t ask them about enough issues. We will all disagree on some things.
Instead of “read his posts” I meant to say “see his blog.” This string of comments has probably hit a hot button issue for him.
IF we all believe in the same thing, why are there so many different churches? Why do we go to “foreign mission fields” and preach? There is already Christianity in most countries, just not our “brand.” It seems here – on Main Street U.S.A. – we believe that we all have the same goal. But when it comes to exotic locations, we need to preach to the lost.
One example: the idea of preaching the gospel in Russia. I’m not talking about the Ukraine or Georgia. I’m talking about Moscow, St. Petersburg, etc. Most people there are members of the Russian Orthodox church, or as they refer to, “the true church.” When my husband relocated to the U.S., he chose to worship at a church of Christ because it was most like the Orthodox Church.
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