So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future--all are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. (1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ESV)
One remedy for "boasting in men" is to realize that the people we boast about, or unduly admire, or put our trust in -- whether teachers, preachers, mentors, counselors, leaders, musicians or artists -- are actually given to us by one God for our own advancement in glory, not for the glorying of celebrities.
But to go further: "all things are yours". Included in this...
"The world is yours." (If we belong to God, we will inherit the earth. Even now, all things that happen in the world happen for the good of God's people.)
"Life is yours." (We have the gift of life, now and eternally. This cannot be lost.)
"Death is yours." (This is important to remember, too, that following Jesus may bring us the privilege of dying for his name. But such a death does not separate us from God, rather it is one more aspect of the image of Christ upon us.)
"The present is yours." (We are called to live in the "now" by his power and grace. The present tense is a gift from God to us.)
"The future is yours." (Our future is as bright as the promises of God!)
"You are Christ's, and Christ is God's. (Our freedom and glory is not one that is autonomous, and yet our inheritance is gloriously unbounded. We are united to God through Jesus, and therefore "all things are ours." So we don't have to be petty and partisan and prone to celebrity-itis. If we have the gospel straight we don't need to divide up in little groups on the basis of a popular teacher or preacher.)
One remedy for "boasting in men" is to realize that the people we boast about, or unduly admire, or put our trust in -- whether teachers, preachers, mentors, counselors, leaders, musicians or artists -- are actually given to us by one God for our own advancement in glory, not for the glorying of celebrities.
But to go further: "all things are yours". Included in this...
"The world is yours." (If we belong to God, we will inherit the earth. Even now, all things that happen in the world happen for the good of God's people.)
"Life is yours." (We have the gift of life, now and eternally. This cannot be lost.)
"Death is yours." (This is important to remember, too, that following Jesus may bring us the privilege of dying for his name. But such a death does not separate us from God, rather it is one more aspect of the image of Christ upon us.)
"The present is yours." (We are called to live in the "now" by his power and grace. The present tense is a gift from God to us.)
"The future is yours." (Our future is as bright as the promises of God!)
"You are Christ's, and Christ is God's. (Our freedom and glory is not one that is autonomous, and yet our inheritance is gloriously unbounded. We are united to God through Jesus, and therefore "all things are ours." So we don't have to be petty and partisan and prone to celebrity-itis. If we have the gospel straight we don't need to divide up in little groups on the basis of a popular teacher or preacher.)
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