1 Corinthians 3:5-9
Have you ever tried to keep a plant alive? I have tried over and over to grow my own herbs; I fail every time! My thumb is anything but green. 1 Corinthians 3:5-9 paints a picture of growing plants. The Corinthian church was divided between who to follow: Apollos or Paul. Paul wrote to the church to explain that they are both servants of God; together. I know what you’re thinking - YES, they did a mighty work for God. However, God is the one who used them. They were just bodies, mouths and voices that God orchestrated to help lead people to Him! Paul was basically saying “Hey! I’m nobody. But God is a somebody!” As silly as that sounds, he is trying to give all the glory to God and point people to Him.
God calls us to be faithful with what He gives us. He trusts us with people who don’t know Him! We ultimately serve God by serving, loving, and teaching others about who He is. We can “plant the seed,” but even with the perfect amount of water and sunlight, it may not grow. Planting the seed is sharing the Gospel. It is living out the GREAT COMMISSION! I live by the saying “if you have any opportunity to speak, share the Gospel.” We can tell anyone and everyone multiple times about who Jesus is and what He has done for us, but our words alone are not going to save them. We do not hold that power.
We can also be the watering can for people. Stepping into their mess and walking alongside them in discipleship! But at the end of the day, our efforts aren’t enough. This sounds discouraging, but I’m actually hoping to do the opposite! We don’t have to be enough! The One who does the growing is God. Our efforts as a servant cannot save someone; only Jesus has the power to save.
Does this mean we shouldn’t try? No! God has given us each talents and gifts to use to share the Good News of Jesus with the world! We are called to do that but remember that it is not us who saves people. We must continue to give the credit where credit is due: to Jesus.
This picture is so important to help the church of Corinth understand that both Paul and Apollos were unified and working together, with the same mission in mind - to be used by God!
God calls us to be faithful with what He gives us. He trusts us with people who don’t know Him! We ultimately serve God by serving, loving, and teaching others about who He is. We can “plant the seed,” but even with the perfect amount of water and sunlight, it may not grow. Planting the seed is sharing the Gospel. It is living out the GREAT COMMISSION! I live by the saying “if you have any opportunity to speak, share the Gospel.” We can tell anyone and everyone multiple times about who Jesus is and what He has done for us, but our words alone are not going to save them. We do not hold that power.
We can also be the watering can for people. Stepping into their mess and walking alongside them in discipleship! But at the end of the day, our efforts aren’t enough. This sounds discouraging, but I’m actually hoping to do the opposite! We don’t have to be enough! The One who does the growing is God. Our efforts as a servant cannot save someone; only Jesus has the power to save.
Does this mean we shouldn’t try? No! God has given us each talents and gifts to use to share the Good News of Jesus with the world! We are called to do that but remember that it is not us who saves people. We must continue to give the credit where credit is due: to Jesus.
This picture is so important to help the church of Corinth understand that both Paul and Apollos were unified and working together, with the same mission in mind - to be used by God!
Posted in Devotional