1 Corinthians 3:3 – August 31, 2022

for you are still of the flesh. While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving in an ordinary human way? 1 Corinthians 3:3 NABRE

Paul recognizing a split in the community at Corinth speaks to them not about who is better to follow Apollos (another preacher in the community) or himself, but rather to only follow Christ. Paul doesn’t want followers to follow him or a more charismatic or eloquent preacher, but to enter into the spirit of Christ. Seeing the community has this rivalry, splitting, he recognizes they are still of the mind of a person in the flesh, someone more concerned with their human needs rather than elevating themselves to the spiritual realm, seeing the importance of God in their lives. Paul is convinced the spiritual realm is attainable but it takes time, he feeds then like they are infants with milk not solid food. Little by little they grow in the message of Christ to become people elevated above the needs of the flesh. They will out grow jealousy, rivalry, the need to be right, the things sought by natural people to soothe the ego.

The spiritual person sees a bigger picture, the inner beauty of people rather than their harsh protective exterior. As spiritual people we know everyone is lovable, we need to look beyond the hard shell that is often put up to cope. God’s message to love one another is so all may be open and vulnerable. But people of the flesh harden their heart so it can’t be hurt. Love is the only means to allow all people to grow into spiritual people. Trusting requires love.

Are you still a spiritual infant? Have you had to put up walls to protect yourself?

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