“One of the ways to overcome it is to realize that what’s ours in Christ isn’t just a personal keepsake. Don’t sit complacent in your discipleship as those around you are following something or someone other than Christ.”

Sounds like 2 separate ideas at first, but I think this implies we have the responsibility to confront our straying brothers in love, striving to pull them back. What do you think? How about this verse?:
“For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.” 1Cor.11:19 (NASB)

Cristi: you always manage to upset my thoughts, eh? That’s a very good point. It almost seems as though Paul is contradicting himself, no? “There must be no divisions among you.” …”There must be factions.” First of all it’s interesting to note that the two words used in Gk aren’t the same, and some versions translate the 11:19 noun as ‘heresies,’ oddly enough. Either way, I believe in ch. 1 it is referring to an ontological reality while in ch. 11 Paul is making a pragmatic division so as demonstrate who is really ‘approved/genuine.’ In other words, it’s one thing to mistakenly say you’re following someone other than Christ, it’s another to actually be following someone other than Christ. I believe it’s the latter point that Paul is addressing in ch. 11.

I’ve stretched the application a bit in my post. Though this could work against the way I set up the argument, the point remains that discovering our identity is not an end in itself. Identity directs lifestyle and action, and so God expects that this will shape the life of the church. The church then helps (re)shape the world.

“One of the ways to overcome it is to realize that what’s ours in Christ isn’t just a personal keepsake. Don’t sit complacent in your discipleship as those around you are following something or someone other than Christ.”

Sounds like 2 separate ideas at first, but I think this implies we have the responsibility to confront our straying brothers in love, striving to pull them back. What do you think? How about this verse?:
“For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.” 1Cor.11:19 (NASB)

In his booklet From Pride to Humility (http://www.amazon.com/Pride-Humility-Stuart-Scott/dp/1885904371), Stuart Scotthas compiled an insightful list of 30 biblical indicators as to whether pride is resident in our hearts. I just thought you might enjoy reading this list…

1. Complaining against or passing judgment on God (Numbers 14:1-4, 9, 11; Romans 9:20)
2. A lack of gratitude (2 Chronicles 32:25)
3. Anger (Proverbs 28:25; Matthew 20:1-16)
4. Seeing yourself as better than others (Luke 7:36-50)
5. Having an inflated view of your importance, gifts and abilities (Acts 12:21-23)
6. Being focused on the lack of your gifts and abilities (1 Cor. 12:14-25)
7. Perfectionism (Matthew 23:24-28)
8. Talking too much (Proverbs 10:19)
9. Talking too much about yourself (Proverbs 27:2; Galatians 6:3)
10. Seeking independence or control (1 Corinthians 1:10-13; Ephesians 5:21)
11. Being consumed with what others think (Galatians 1:10)
12. Being devastated or angered by criticism (Proverbs 13:1)
13. Being unteachable (Proverbs 19:20; John 9:13-34)
14. Being sarcastic, hurtful, degrading, talking down to them(Proverbs 12:18, 24)
15. A lack of service (Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 2:10)
16. A lack of compassion (Matthew 5:7, 18:23-35)
17. Being defensive or blame-shifting (Genesis 3:12-13; Proverbs 12:1)
18. A lack of admitting when you are wrong (Proverbs 10:17)
19. A lack of asking forgiveness (Matthew 5:23-24)
20. A lack of biblical prayer (Luke 18:10-14)
21. Resisting authority or being disrespectful (1 Peter 2:13-17)
22. Voicing preferences or opinions when not asked (Philippians 2:1-4)
23. Minimizing your own sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5)
24. Maximizing others’ sin and shortcomings (Matthew 7:3-5; Luke 18:9-14)
25. Being impatient or irritable with others (Ephesians 4:31-32)
26. Being jealous or envious (1 Corinthians 13:4)
27. Using others (Matthew 7:12; Philippians 2:3-4)
28. Being deceitful by covering up sins, faults, and mistakes (Proverbs 11:3; 28:13)
29. Using attention-getting tactics (1 Peter 3:3,4)
30. Not having close relationships (Proverbs 18:1-2; Hebrews 10:24-25)