"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task" -1 Cor 3: 5 (NIV).
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It is sad to see and realize that there are still conflicts heading to divisions in some churches. Usually it starts with favoritism towards a leader. Some people of the congregation tend to choose a certain leader and reject another for various reasons.
The scripture today teaches us that if we are part of such discord, we are counted as infants in Christ. Worldly people who can only digest milk not solid food. Mature people who live by the Spirit do not act so.
The believers in Corinth were divided according to the leader they chose. Some preferred Paul, others said they were followers of Apollos. Paul criticized this and said, both Apollos and him were merely servants of God. "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow" (1 Cor 3:6).
If you are a leader in a church, Paul's reaction to such case will be a very good example to enrich you. He was not flattered by the people who chose him over Apollos and made the conflict even deeper. His spiritual maturity was above those things.
Let's asses ourselves as the congregation. Are we mature people or still infants in spiritual matters. Moreover, Paul said that as long as there is jealousy and quarrelling among the believers, we are labelled as 'worldly'.
We need to pass the mediocre things and get ready to focus on the task God has for each of us. Do not get distracted by the evil spirit who wants to destroy and not to build the church of God. May God help us all.
Reflection on 1 Corinthians 3:1-6 by Desire Litaay.
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