For the upright will dwell in the land,
And the blameless will remain in it;
But the wicked will be cut off from the earth,
And the unfaithful will be uprooted from it. Proverbs 2.21, 22

1 Clement 14
Clement of Rome (fl.ca. 90-100 AD)

“It is right and holy therefore, men and brethren, rather to obey God than to follow those who, through pride and sedition, have become the leaders of a detestable emulation. For we shall incur no slight injury, but rather great danger, if we rashly yield ourselves to the inclinations of men who aim at exciting strife and tumults, so as to draw us away from what is good. Let us be kind one to another after the pattern of the tender mercy and benignity of our Creator. For it is written, ‘The kind-hearted shall inhabit the land, and the guiltless shall be left upon it, but transgressors shall be destroyed from off the face of it.’”

We don’t know why the young men of the Church in Corinth had decided to seize control of the churches there over the elected leaders, or how they proposed to lead in their places. All we know is that great upheaval and disorder had ensued, beyond what the Corinthians could repair on their own. So they turned to Clement, a friend from their past. Again and again Clement took them to the Word of God, to the example of godly forebears, the promises and warnings of God’s covenant, and the teaching of Christ and the Apostles. He believed the Word of God could show the way to uprightness in Corinth, and to restoring peace and prosperity to the churches there. The promises of God are for those who seek them uprightly, in a decent and orderly manner, and according to His Word.

Do you think the Scriptures are sufficient to guide the work of your church, and of your own ministry? What other influences vie for your attention in thinking about how to build your church in unity and maturity (Eph. 4.11-16)? What is your approach to making sure that everythingyou do is according to the Word of God?

T. M. Moore

Introduction to Christian Worldview
We’re pleased to offer our course, One in Twelve: Introduction to Christian Worldview, at The Ailbe Seminary. There’s no charge, and all the course materials are free. In 12 diagrams you will gain a perspective and overall grasp of the 1 worldview that can change the world. Click here to register.

Prayer for Revival
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The Writing Pastor
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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.