ALL THINGS ARE OURS EXCEPT OURSELVES

1 Corinthians 3:21-23 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

Looking back at 1 Corinthians 1:17-31, we find Paul's denouncement of worldly wisdom. He says that, to the world, the gospel of Jesus Christ is called foolishness. Paul's reply was that the world equates foolishness with the wisdom of God. Paul again denounces worldly wisdom in the three verses that precede the lesson text. Here he writes that the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Each side, mankind and God, considers the wisdom of the other as foolishness. The question is, then, where can one find true wisdom? Does one look to the Creator for wisdom, or to mankind, which is His creation?

In this light, anyone accepting the wisdom of any human being over the wisdom of God is a fool. Therefore, for men and women of the world to accept the wisdom of God, and Jesus as their Savior, they must become fools - that is they must accept as wisdom that which they originally called "foolishness." Notice the closing statement of the first chapter of this epistle. Here Paul writes by inspiration: And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord (Vss. 28-31).

It seems that mankind has always allied themselves behind various human leaders. Many sects, such as the Pharisees, Sadducees, Nazarenes, Herodians, and Essenes, were formed in order to follow the wisdom of individual Jewish philosophers. At Athens, Paul faced Gentile sects. The Epicureans were followers of the philosopher, Epicurus. The Stoics, another Gentile sect, followed the worldly wisdom of Zeno. Even the church at Corinth was divided into various groups. Some said I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ (1 Cor. 1:12).

By following various religious philosophers and preachers, today's religious society has been divided and subdivided. Although the list of such leaders is extensive, here are but a few leaders whose teachings have resulted in the formation of various religious sects and denominations. Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Knox, Roger Williams, John Smith, John and Charles Wesley, Charles Fox Parham, Mary Baker Eddy, and Charles T. Russell, are just a few of these leaders. Hundreds of others could very easily be named as founders of other religious sects and denominations. No doubt these were, and are today, dynamic speakers, possessing the ability to convince many, which make up their audiences, to accept their particular religious philosophy, and, thereby, become their followers.

However, the lesson gives us this commandment from God: ...let no man glory in men. Paul taught the Christians at Corinth that no one is to glorify ministers of God, that preach the gospel message of salvation in Jesus Christ - no one, including himself. As well known, and as strong and dynamic as they were in preaching the will of God, no man should glory in Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas. The apostles, and other inspired, New Testament preachers of Jesus Christ, were not placed before mankind to choose one or the other to follow, because Paul says, all are Yours - all scriptural preachers belong to God. They were given to teach us God's Holy Spirit-inspired will. They were to guide us in finding the hope of eternal salvation in Jesus Christ. If, then, these great preachers of God's word are to be excluded from having the glory of men heaped upon them, how can glory be given any other preacher in this present age? By inspiration, Paul tells us that humility is required by God of all preachers of His holy word. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake (2 Cor. 4:5).

Jesus Christ was crucified for all mankind; all that accept Him, are baptized in His name, and become Christians; all Christians are children of God and enjoy the hope of eternal salvation; followers of Jesus are not to be divided into sects and denominations; Christ is not divided (See 1 Cor. 1:12-13)! God has freely given everything necessary for the salvation of mankind. It comes to us through His Son, Jesus Christ, and not through any other earthly being. He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things (Rom. 8:32)? All things are ours, except ourselves! Christians are not to be divided. To Christians, Paul writes, ...ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. Glory is to be given only to the one through whom we have eternal salvation - Jesus Christ!