Are We...Followers of Paul, Apollos or Christ?

It was in 1976, now some thirty-eight years yesterday (note, this blog was written July 26, 2014), that the redemption of Christ began its saving transformation in this life. A journey, as with each, that has not been without challenges. That said, I cannot express fully into words the gratefulness to our Savior, Jesus, for the truly 'abundant' life that He has guided me through.

Roofing Volunteers

What keeps me anchored in the midst of the journey? Most certainly I would at least include the Word of God, His indwelling Spirit, prayer and music. Yet how delinquent would I be to not add the relationships of my brothers and sisters in Christ. Over fifty 'one another's' are scattered about the NT. To encourage, build up, forgive, serve, submit to, be devoted to, accept and love are but a few.

The past few days I've been in service with several 'one another' men, who have taken part on an urgent roofing need for our daughter. In this time I have discovered a new truth regarding anxiety/worry. Yes, as Paul says to the Philippians, "Be anxious for nothing, but by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God, and the peace...". Perhaps you know the rest. Powerful, it is. And pray I do, yet...when these men and women, most volunteering, have given selflessly of their time to bless our daughter, I have found that joy, through much sweat and some pain, is the overwhelming result and not anxiety.

There is likely no greater need when being connected to 'one another' than unity. Back to the roof...the mutual effort and respect is absolutely evident in this project. At the same time we are carrying out the 'call principle' of Ephesians four..."Walk worthy of your calling, with all humility and gentleness, with patience lifting up one another and striving to keep the unity of the Spirit in bond of peace".

 Why is that often not the case within our 'church' walls?

Now to the point...

We recently left attending a body of believers, of whom we had been a part of for twenty years. We had grown apart due to a change in the message plus style of teaching and the desired direction of this body. And though I disagree, at least with some I can respect and sense how the teaching resonates, such as the series on 'The Jesus Creed' or that of ‘Becoming a Conduit’. This 'creed' emphasizes the 'one another's' stated above, plus the treatment of others in the manner that is seen in the person of Jesus Christ. Though preached, in some ways it was sanctimoniously demonstrated over the past couple of years. For example I ask...Would Jesus have requested Nicodemus to attend a different group of believers because he was no longer their leader? Would Paul have been removed from the Cyprus prayer letter because he separated himself from Barnabus? Would Epaphoditus have removed Timothy from a service that he'd provided for years because he wasn't regularly attending the Philippian church without communicating such with him?

Would Paul not say that which he wrote to the Corinthians, 'Are we followers of Paul or of Apollos or of Peter, or are we followers of Christ? The answer seems rather obvious!

                                          Might we go forth, be followers of Christ and truly be a conduit with one another...

                         Written by Rick Williams on July 26, 2014, and recently found amongst my electronic clutter.