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CONTENTIONS (1 CORINTHIANS 1:11-17)

REFLECTION

“Contentions” is the theme for our reflection. Contention is the disagreement that results from opposing arguments. We shall reflect on the fact one of the major sources of contentions in the church is when Christians follow church leaders instead of focusing on Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church and the subject matter of the Gospel and salvation.

Paul observed that there were divisions or contentions in the Church of Corinth, “My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:11-12) Some members had a special preference for church leaders. In other words, they owed allegiance to their church leaders rather than Jesus Christ the Lord and Head of the Church and the reason for our salvation. Should we owe allegiance to mere mortals no matter how good and gifted they are? Church leaders are called to serve the church It is for this reason John the Baptist in comparing himself to Jesus said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30). In other words, in the discharge of our duties as church leaders, we must project the name of Christ so that He must become greater and we must become less. The Church is founded by Christ, therefore, must be united in Christ and not in any human leader, hence Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). . Again you owe no allegiance to any pastor simply because you were baptised by him or her. There will be division in the church if Christians should have special allegiance to the pastor who baptised them. Indeed, Paul admonished the church of Corinth, “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (1 Corinthians 1:13-15 )

Let us not be easily carried away or obsessed with the wisdom, eloquence or charisma of church leaders. Their eloquence, charisma or spiritual gift must lead to the promotion and preaching of the Gospel of Jesus. All our activities in the church must focus on the Gospel and not church leaders lest we shall remain divided. It is the responsibility of Church leaders to constantly teach and remind members of the Church to focus on the Word of God. Paul refused to be the reason for the existence of contention in the church and rather diverted his audience’s attention to the Gospel when He wrote “For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” (1 Corinthians 1:17). In other words, Paul meant that Christ did not send him to baptize people in Paul’s own name but to preach the Gospel for the salvation of many. It is rather unfortunate in our generation, that some Christians are more responsive, obsessed and practically worship their pastors, bishops and overseers. In some instances, where there are two or more pastors or church leaders, the church is divided. The Church members show in interest in worship service and other church activities based on their favourite pastor or leaders’ ministration. Sometimes, some of these church leaders become overly obsessed with recognition and popularity syndrome to the extent that they promote and encourage unhealthy competition and division among themselves through their utterances. We have not been called to become celebrities in the Church of Christ. We have been called to serve the Church, preach the Gospel, teach the World of God and above all maintain the unity of the body of Christ.

In summary, we have learnt that one of the major sources of contentions in the church is when Christians follow church leaders instead of focusing on Jesus Christ who is the Head of the Church and the subject matter of the Gospel and our salvation.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, lead us and help us to overcome divisions and contentions through the bond of love, unity and peace in our churches. Amen.