Let’s Stop Our Pointless Competition Mari Ikeda
A. Between individuals
1. Not: “Who is the greatest” (46)
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
2. Instead: “Who is the least” (47-48)
13 And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe.
B. Between churches and people of different faiths
1. Not: “Is s/he one of us” (49)
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,
15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men
16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
2. Instead: “Are they participating in God’s work?” (50)
14 For you, brothers, became imitators of God's churches in Judea, which are in Christ Jesus: You suffered from your own countrymen the same things those churches suffered from the Jews,
15 who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets and also drove us out. They displease God and are hostile to all men
16 in their effort to keep us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. In this way they always heap up their sins to the limit. The wrath of God has come upon them at last.
Summary
As we trust in Jesus and our hearts are filled with thanksgiving because of God's love, we realize how pointless it is to compare ourself with others. There is no need to feel superior or inferior to other people. God's love is much bigger than we can hope or imagine. All we can do is humble ourselves and be honest before God in our relationships, in our churches, and with people who don’t share the same faith.
For Discussion
1) What kind of person does Jesus call "the least among you"?
2) Do you feel superior or inferior to other people? How can you leave those feelings behind?