Personality Problems

Personality Problems

Words of Faith 4-21-17

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2017

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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1 Corinthians 1

[10] I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. [11] My brothers, 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."

[13] Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? [14] I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, [15] so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. [16] (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else.) [17] For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not with words of human wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

The most visible problem that had crept into the church at Corinth was division. The report had come to Paul that there was quarreling among the believers. The Greek word can be translated contentions or wrangling. This was not the healthy debate over an important issue by people who loved Jesus above all. This was prideful contentiousness.

Some of the division at Corinth was over social and economic differences, but the biggest concern was division based upon attachment to specific leaders. There were arguments over which leader was the best or the most important or the most authoritative.

This sort of division was no surprise given the culture of the day. In the ancient world, philosophers encouraged emotional attachment to themselves as a necessary part of developing morally and intellectually. Rabbis had their own schools and disciples normally propagated their teacher's views. People would argue that their philosopher or Rabbi was superior. But Paul expected the church to be different from the secular world or even the old religious ways.

The problem was that same sort of personality worship was going on in the church at Corinth. Some had been influenced by Paul and others had been greatly blessed by the popular teaching of Apollos. Some others claimed a religious superiority because they had been to Jerusalem and heard the preaching of Peter. Others were claiming the religious "high ground" by rejected their fellow believers and claiming to follow "Christ alone.” What a mess!

Paul's answer to all this was a firm and pointed admonition to get over these divisions. Agree with one another and find unity in Christ! Christ cannot be divided. These leaders are not Saviors; they were not crucified for you!

Paul flatly rejected all such "leader worship.” Later he will call it "infantile,” a sure mark of worldliness and immaturity in Christ (3:1-9). While others might have taken pride in the fact that they had a group in another town that loved and cherished them, Paul rejected all this in a sort of disgust. He didn't want any part of it personally.

This sort of wrangling did not build Paul’s ego or stroke his pride with the thought that some were in "his camp," even after he left the area. Paul gave thanks that he had not really done much baptizing in the years he was in Corinth. Apparently, he had left that to others so no one could claim to have the touch of the Apostle or the "breath of the Bishop" upon them.

It all sounds rather silly until we pause and realize that it is on these very issues that many Christians divide today. A study of church history reveals that most of the historic divisions in the church were over huge theological issues and not personalities. The church debated and divided over passionate issues like the nature of grace, the sale of salvation for money, the eternal security of believers, the worship of dead people, the authority of the Scripture, etc. The Ninty-five theses that Luther nailed to the church door in Wittenburg in 1517 sparking the Protestant Reformation were not personality issues.

Yet today, people hardly care about doctrine. Doctrine is a bad word. In our culture truth is relative. So we tend to be a much more personality driven culture. We are more loyal to news anchors, radio personalities, and media celebrities than we are to the passionate issues of truth. This is often reflected in the church.

It is very common to meet believers who introduce themselves as a follower of some nationally known Christian personality. We live in a culture of "Christian media celebrities" that mirrors the movie-star culture of the secular world. It easy to find Christians who are divided from one another based on nothing of substance, only identification with high profile leaders and movements that are popular for a day. Paul would call us to focus on Christ as our only Savior and find agreement and unity in Him.

Believers also divide in local areas based upon a sort of "franchise pride" that has replaced the old issues of denominationalism. In a Christian culture that is more and more consumer driven, churches compete for brand recognition, loyalty, and consumer dollars through the same media methods as the secular world. What would Paul say?

We also see division within local churches related to personalities. As a church ages, people often divide and identify with a certain era of that church or a favorite pastor, teacher, or worship leader. None of this glorifies Christ.

Paul is crystal clear. We are not to be about human personalities. Human personalities can never compare to the personality of Christ. Even the best and greatest human personalities are always flawed and will ultimately let us down. We are to find unity in Christ. We are not to worship people. We are to worship Christ.

This does not mean that we will all be alike or think exactly alike. Paul's appeal was for harmony, not the elimination of diversity. He hoped for a unity of all the parts, like a quilt of various colors and patterns blended together in a harmonious whole.

How are you doing in the unity department? Have you found yourself identifying with some popular movement or high profile leader? Have you divided yourself from other believers based on a brand, a leader or a personality? The answer is to repent.

Father God, forgive us our frail human tendencies to look to people rather than to You. Give me a focus on Christ alone that will allow me to worship You in Spirit and in Truth. Teach me the humility of surrendering to You and discovering unity with those who are different from me. Help me to see other believers through Your eyes. In Jesus' name.