Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:12-13
What I mean is that each of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Thought for the Day: I used to describe myself a neo-Barthian. Karl Barth (1886 – 1968) was a 20th century theologian who I studied and appreciated, though to be honest, I had just as many disagreements with him as I did agreements. Though deceased by the time I was in graduate school, I still considered him a good conversation partner. His writings pushed me to develop a more complete understanding of Jesus and his saving work on behalf of creation. I owe a lot to Karl Barth, along with one of my mentors, Dr. Joe Jones, who introduced me to Barth. These people are important to me, but I feel strongly that they would be troubled if somehow my allegiance to them seemed to take anything away from Jesus. They did what they did out of a deep love for Jesus, and their greatest joy would be to know that someone met Jesus on a deeper level because of something they did. In regard to our faith, we all need teachers, pastors, encouragers and mentors. It is ok to like and appreciate such people, but if we spend more time talking about the people instead of the person they want us to meet, then we need to rethink the focus of our faith.
Prayer: Provide me agents of your saving work, O Gracious God, yet their insights and ideas should always be guiding me into your presence. I will always give thanks for their help, but their help was initiated by you. So my thanks is ultimately directed to you. Amen.
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