Be United and Follow Jesus...Finding Ways to Serve Others!

1 Corinthians 1:11-12 New International Version

11 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[a]”; still another, “I follow Christ.”

Tuesday -September 20

We naturally form small groups of friends. It is good to have strong and deep relationships. However, those small groups of friends can easily turn into a “tribe” of insiders. Tribalism creates an “us vs. them” mentality. Apparently the Corinthians separated into tribes who “followed” particular leaders of the church in an attempt to claim superior status and get their own way. But Jesus said: “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44). Tribalism is the opposite of love. Love focuses on the needs of others. Love seeks ways to serve, not gain power or control. Like Jesus, love uses and gives up power in order to care for others. Let us unite in the forgiveness and grace of Jesus and seek to love as he did.