Do not go beyond what is written

1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.

*Going beyond what is written – This means to me that we have tendencies to place ourselves in a position where WE ACT in an independent way, believing that it lines up with the word of God, or exceeds it.

*This is the kind of attitude that causes us to become boastful, and in a way that we feel like we know all, and can’t be taught anything.

*Keep your eye out for pride! Pride can infect our spiritual lives and divide His Church.

Paul is preaching this because of the “cliques” created within the church, because of the leaders essentially making themselves idols.
This kind of things happens in our times too, where leaders glorify themselves through what kind of gatherings they have, how much offering they receive, how spiritual they are, how connected they are to God and how many people attend and what they did for them etc.

After being so “self-inflated” we can even succumb to a state of arrogance, casting out all humility to right ourselves before the Lord…
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
Any true spiritual leader is a representative of Christ and has nothing to offer that God hasn’t given him or her.
*Don’t let your loyalty to human leaders cause strife, slander, or broken relationships.

Hosea 4:6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests;

*God desires relationship not religious exercises! He wants us to know His heart, His ways, His love for us and He wants us to return that love.
It’s a heart thing…why do I do what I do to serve Him? If its not out of love for Him, the fruit of my love relationship with Him, then it has little value in His eyes.

 Read Amos 5:21-24 in the Message Bible for what God values!  I had me wake up anyway!

Lord, expand my understanding of who You are. I don’t want to simply know about You; I want to know You intimately and personally in my experience and serventhood to YOU!  Help me to relax, let You lead me, and follow You because I want to – not because I am supposed to. Help me to know YOU more and help me not to go beyond what is written. Amen