Principles not Personalities

S – 1 Corinthians 3:7

 

        ‘So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.’

 

O - This seems to be a major Kingdom realignment of principle that Paul is making in the context of some personality partisanship. There is the task of planting and the task to water. These tasks are assigned, not devalued or denigrated. In fact Paul reiterates further that these tasks will be rewarded by God. What Paul does make very strong and with clear contrast is, that it is only God who can bring growth and life. I can see a busy picture of two men planting and watering with great conviction and enthusiasm. But if just left to these tasks there will be no outcome. We are not told as to how this principle of growth works, only that God does it. The planters and the waterers cannot bring the growth. The tasks of planting and watering are not the fulfilment. It is the supernatural growth from God that only completes and brings life.

 

A – I may not fully understand how God’s growth takes place, but I must embrace that God’s Kingdom is based on Principles not Personalities. Both Paul and Apollos carried out important tasks (planting and watering), but these were not the principles that bring life. It’s not through the tasks of personalities, but rather through God’s Kingdom principles. It teaches me again that in this busy task oriented world that I don’t get so involved with the tasks that I see them as an end in themselves. They are merely to make way for God to bring His life and Growth. I guess if my tasks are not preparing a way for growth then I must question why do I get consumed by them or even doing them. I don’t want to be in a picture of planting and watering and believing that growth will come from my own efforts.

 

P – Lord I thank you for this reminder that your Kingdom is built on Principles not me or other personalities. I want to be a faithful planter and waterer but only when you do the miracle and principle of growth and life.