1 Corinthians 3:21-23, New Living Translation

“So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.”

“Some of you are saying, ‘I am a follower of Paul.’ Others are saying, ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Peter,’ or ‘I follow only Christ.’” (1 Corinthians 1:12, NLT)

One of the desires Christ has placed in the hearts of my husband and I is for the unity of the body of Christ. Or, from another angle in this matter, the grief I might speak of is this: the boasting within Christian culture about following a particular human leader.

The Word of God reminds us to “…honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12, NLT)

So, what I am saying about the grief that comes from boasting in men has nothing to do with putting down any servants of Christ. Instead, everyone, including me, should respect and acknowledge their obedience and their love for Christ, whether Paul, Apollos, Peter, or anyone who has served God from the past until now.

However, listen to this: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?” (1 Corinthians 1:13, NKJV)

Thank You, Jesus, there is an absolute answer to this question: only Christ. Christ died for us. Christ rose for us. Christ reigns in power for us. Christ prays for us! (Romans 8:34) “Therefore, as it is written: ‘Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.’” (1 Corinthians 1:31, NIV)

“There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12, NLT) But Jesus, the perfect Lamb! “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything.” (Colossians 1:18, NLT)

No matter how faithful a servant someone may be, or how powerful their work may sound, it all comes from the power and anointing of the Holy Spirit, who is from God.

“In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.” (Romans 12:6-8, NLT)

What, then, can we boast in but Christ?!

Brothers and sisters, do not hijack Jesus’ ministry.. Whatever you can do, however humbly you serve, or whenever you witness someone serving wonderfully, remember that no one can do what Jesus did! He is the Master, and Him alone. Stop comparing the work or the one who serves. All glory belongs to God and God alone!