1 Corinthians 2:2 English Standard Version (ESV) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

How did Paul decide this? The terms of condition here are interesting. This is like a contract between Paul and the Corinthians. Paul means he will not teach anything but Christ. Paul did not know Jesus in the flesh. He did not walk with Jesus for three years during His earthly ministry. Paul was free from the burden of knowing the man as He served the Father.

Why should we consider this knowledge a burden? Which Christ do we choose to follow, the man with His example in life or the one that sits on the throne? If we follow the ministry in the life and times of the man, first we have to find out what He did and said. Secondly we have to understand His motivation. Thirdly we would then try to duplicate a life we never could have lived.

If we follow the Lord on the throne things become a little easier. Then we only need to hear His commands and obey. Loyalty to a sovereign God eliminates the need to understand the motivation because we would not be trying to duplicate a life that is not ours to live.

Galatians 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

It is a hard concept to accept if we insist on being in control. We always have a choice and that never stops being true. Are we going to be loyal to our Lord and do as we are asked or are we going to choose to do it our way? Who do we have more confidence in, our Lord or ourselves?

Psalm 10:6 English Standard Version (ESV) He says in his heart, “I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”

Have we ever been so sure of ourselves that we are dismissive of every other opinion? The issues of the anti-Christ is opposition to Christ. If we are in Christ opposition is not only expected it is welcomed. It is welcomed because opposition to truth tells us with all confidence that we are in Christ.

If we are firm in faith, what is the difference between these differing opinions? We are not to be automatically dismissive. Love cannot be shown with a dismissive attitude.

Ephesians 4:14-16 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁴ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. ¹⁵ Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Hidden within this truth are some vital words which will help us not to be dismissive. They appear in verse 16, “it is equipped”. Growing up in Christ is not instant. We cannot speak the truth if we think we know it all. When we get “out of place” we need to be put in our place. Correction is inevitable for all Christians.

Have we ever used the words “But I just wanted to help!” This happens when we have the desire to serve but have neglected our training. Are we in training or do we know it all?

1 Corinthians 2:2 English Standard Version (ESV) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.