City Life Starter

By Ji Yun

We all have our favorites, whether it is a favorite food, a genre of music, an athlete and so forth. Every individual has preference over the something. This diversity is quite beautiful if you ask me. What it shows is we are uniquely designed, whether it is upbringing, culture, worldview, or ethnic background.

Favoritism that dismisses or ridicules other things that you may not relate can cause severe damage to a person at an individual level, or greater to a different people group and culture. This can lead to clicks and even a sense of superiority over others. For example, I do not prefer country music, I never seemed to get this genre of music, but if you consider country music to be your favorite genre of music, that does not make that individual any less than I.

In today’s Christian culture, we have our favorites; whether it is a pastor of a particular denomination, Bible scholar, or Christian music. Whether an individual prefers one over the other lies the beauty in diversity, but when it causes division, a preference that leads to internal fighting between groups, is an unnecessary tragedy that reveals immaturity in faith.

Paul begins to address the Corinthians regarding divisions that the church was experiencing. There were un-healthy divisions within the church that have ultimately led to disunity among believers. He would begin with a strong corrective voice, comparing the Corinthians to be immature and that they have not progressed in their faith. Paul uses terms such as “immature,” “worldly,” “carnal,” and “fleshly,” to describe the state of Corinthian Christians.

To correct this type of thinking, Paul would redirect their attention back to Christ. Instead of focusing on a specific individual, however gifted, the point was that it was not about them but Jesus Christ.

This week on CLC Starter, our contributors will focus on chapter three and four of 1 Corinthians. Be sure to check out the new devotional each day as we continue to study 1 Corinthians together.