Cooperative Not Competitive
Church bragging. Pastor comparison. Attendance boasting. Building attention. Offering emphasis. Program lauding. Denominational arrogance. Personal Pride.
Have you seen it? Done it? Unfortunately I’ve seen it too often. I have fallen into the Christian comparison trap more than I realize. We need to change.
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”
—1 Corinthians 1:10 (ESV)
Jesus First. Christians, did you die for the church? Are we baptized in the name of your pastor? Will your church or denominational name get you into Heaven? We have wickedly prioritized ourselves, our pastors, our churches, and our denominations over the name of Jesus. May all of our boasting be Jesus-centered.
“but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me”
—Jeremiah 9:24
Others Second. Too often our excitement about church life can unintentionally put others down. Many churches are discouraged and suffering. Where possible, we need to come alongside and encourage them. We should support and love them better in their suffering. We can better prioritize our brothers and sisters in Christ.
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
—1 John 3:16
Cooperate Don’t Compete. Unity shines forth the Gospel love. Businesses compete. Teams contend. Churches, we can do better. When we set our eyes and focus on Jesus we find that we have more to cooperate over and work towards together.
“that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
—John 17:21
Better Together. We are not alone. We face common enemies in Satan, the world, and the flesh. Our churches have similar suffering and struggles. When we intentionally come together we are stronger.
“Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.”
—1 Peter 5:9
Credit God, Not Self. Divisions are dangerous. When something great happens in your life, your family, your workplace, your church, or your denomination may we be faithful to give credit to where it is due: Jesus. When we sincerely internalize the reality of God’s work in our lives we will be humbled, unified, strengthened, and encouraged.
“What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.”
—1 Corinthians 3:5–7
Neil T. Anderson is the founder of Freedom in Christ Ministries. He began the ministry in 1989 and continues to spread the message of freedom to this day.