You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world? (1 Corinthians 3:3, NLT)
Followers of Jesus Christ are not to live like people of the world. We are not to live in envy, strife, and division. These vices belong to worldly people, not to those redeemed by the grace of God in Jesus Christ, indwelt with the Holy Spirit. When we envy others, we eventually cause strife with them. Once this happens, we create division. One step leads to the next. This destructive process can unfold in any relationship and in any church, but it should not happen among God’s people.
Envy and strife are unfitting for Jesus’ followers because we have received everything we need in Him. Since we have a glorious inheritance reserved in Heaven for us, envying others is absurd. Since our sins are forgiven and we have peace with God, causing strife makes no sense.
Envy, strife, and division run completely contrary to the gospel.
We are not of this world, just as Jesus is not of this world (John 17:16). We do not live like people of the world, just as Jesus did not. Conduct yourself in love, peace, and unity, like those who belong to Christ.
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