Jesus walked this earth as the all-powerful Son of Man. He could’ve chosen to pursue earthly power, wealth and recognition, but He didn’t. He chose to help, He chose to live out God’s will, He chose to honour God and ultimately sacrifice His life for our sins. Perfection is the only way to describe Jesus. He chose the righteous path, a path we so often fail to choose. Instead, we choose ego, riches, fame and selfish motives. It’s not easy to be Christ-like, but we ought to try. 

1 Corinthians 3:3:

“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you acting like mere humans”

Why do we spend our days agonising over others’ wealth, family or peace? This comes from disobedience; God does not call us to envy, bitterness, fighting or jealousy. God is love and His Word teaches us love. Live in His truth and jealousy will leave you and in its place, God’s peace will touch you.  

1 Corinthians 3:9:

“For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building”

What a powerful verse. We are not competitors, we are not enemies, we are co-workers, building God’s kingdom. How many of us can truly say we are working together with our neighbours to build God’s kingdom? We could be doing so much more for Jesus, but instead we are worried about ourselves, we are worried about our ego, what we wear, how many followers we have and what cars we drive. This modern world promotes clout, where people are rewarded for being popular or getting the most likes on pictures of themselves. If you want to leave this world behind, leave this world behind now. If you want to reach the Kingdom of Heaven, live Spirit-first, not self-first. Work to exalt Jesus. Work together with the Holy Spirit. Work to please the Father. Die to self, so you can truly live for Jesus.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17:

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”

When you are in Church, you have respect for the property and proceedings because it is set apart for God. Imagine how differently we would live if we acknowledged that you are God’s temple. He dwells in us, what more could we want? In the same way, your fellow believers are to be respected just as God would respect them. Jesus walked this earth humbly and peacefully, who do we think we are to behave like we are better than others? God’s Word teaches us to love the poor and the rich without discrimination, just as Jesus did. Do not put people down. Do not turn your head away. Give your heart to each and every person because they are part of His kingdom. 

1 Corinthians 9:22-23:

“I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”

Paul’s words give us something to live by. To the weak, he became weak so that he might save them. Let us humble ourselves, ask the Holy Spirit to bless us with a heart like Jesus’, take a moment before speaking out of turn or from ego. God hears us and sees everything we do, and our desire should be to honour our Saviour.

Ego can damage your spirit, do not stray off of the path God has set before you. Follow in His footsteps, live by His Word, ask Him for forgiveness, build His kingdom. We are not the centre. Jesus is. Our worth is not found in ego, image or achievement, but in Him.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”