Following
“When one of you says, ‘I am a follower of Paul,’ and another says, ‘I follow Apollos,’ aren’t you acting just like people of this world?” -1 Corinthians
Who am I following?
My mom, as I desire to become a mature woman of God and, one day, a mother.
My boss, as I too want to be a better editor tomorrow and the next day.
My mentor, as I too want to mature as a Christian and disciple women.
My friends, as I want to wear cute clothes and have fun.
My boyfriend, as I want to learn more about loving people well and about the world around me (esp. outer space).
And I’m following God too. Following God seems to apply more easily to my behaviors regarding sex and drinking than to my goals and ambitions. I’m not having sex and don’t drink too much. Easy. As for my ambitions, I’ve heard pastors say, if I’m walking with Him I can follow my heart and reach my goals. But what are the subtleties among following my heart, following the people around me, and following God?
It seems that if I’m just following my heart, I can sort of choose my own direction. And if I’m following my mom, boss, mentor, friends, and boyfriend setting the example, I might accidentally forget to follow God. And if I am walking with God daily He hopefully would be leading the way, but not necessarily.
I think that the wisdom of Paul’s letter lies in the Corinthians becoming aware of who they were following in the first place. Many people probably thought they were following Christ while they were really following Peter and Apollos. We too must reevaluate who we are really following. The Corinthians were following Apollos and Peter and we are harmlessly following our friends and family. Where do my loyalties lie? Where does my teaching come from? These are very honest questions that only I can ask deep within myself.
My life is comfortable here in LA and looks alright in church and among my friends and the good God-fearing people in my life. For I am living for Christ. But what will trials reveal? I might run to save my reputation at my job and my boyfriend, for I devote more of my time to these two areas of my life than anything else. Or I might know where God is sending me. I might be checking in with Him moment to moment, as often as I can stealing away time to dwell with him. And I might be writing so that He can feed me here and I can put more of my time into listening to Him. I know which way I want to run, but it’s just not as easy when I’m really being honest.
Paul is a follower. He continually acknowledges his leader and lifts up praises ho him. Paul always thanks his God. Paul uses the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths. He says to the Corinthians, “For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.”
What would this mean for me in my daily life? Is this possible?
Paul says, “we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.” We are his followers. Can you be a follower and not be wholeheartedly committed? Can you be wholeheartedly committed and go through phases of distraction?
Am I controlled by my sinful nature? Or, am I aware of my sinful nature and constantly choosing to follow God instead? What are my private motives?
What did the life of Paul, the one claiming to follow Christ, look like? (1 Cor 4:10-13) He was made to look like a fool, he was weak and ridiculed. He went hungry and thirsty and needed warmer clothes. He was abused and homeless. He worked hard to earn his living and blessed those who cursed him. He was patient with those who abused him.
Who do our lives claiming to follow Christ look like?
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