ESOCS Devotional 29 October 2026 – Give Your Loyalty to Christ and Not Man
MEMORY VERSE: “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.” 1 Corinthians 4:6 KJV
TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 4:1 10
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
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The Corinthians had split into various cliques, each following a favourite preacher, namely: Paul, Apollos, Peter, etc. with each clique really believing that the preacher it followed was the only one that had the whole truth, and thus “puffed up” (that is, spiritually proud). However, addressing this, Paul counselled the groups not to boast about being tied to a particular preacher, since each preacher was a humble servant of God who had suffered for the same message of salvation in Jesus Christ, adding that no preacher or servant of God has more status than another.
In the churches today, we see some members attracted to the church leader or to a particular area, provincial or zonal leader, especially the leader who has helped them out at one time or the other – it is natural to tie oneself to such leader, anyway. However, Apostle Paul warned against such attitude and pride in leaders such that we cause division in the church.
Any true church leader is a representative of Christ and cannot give what God has not given him to give His flock. So, we should not allow our loyalty cause fighting, division, or broken relationships. We should make sure our deepest loyalties are to Christ and not to man. In 1 Corinthians 3:5, Paul counselled that both “Paul and Apollos” are ministers of God.
Reflections
- Many Church Leaders today want their members to flock around them.
Prayer
- Dear Lord, give me the grace to be loyal to you always only, and not man.
Further Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
ESOCS Devotional 29 October 2026
