The Corinthian church often had issues of small groups and quarrels between them. In 1 Corinthians chapter one, some said they belonged to Peter, some belonged to Apollo, some belonged to Paul, and others claimed to belong to Christ, posed as more spiritual than anyone else. The result of having small groups and quarrels is that they became suspicious of each of other and attack one another, and there were also people in the church who attacked Paul. Paul, however, cared more about the needs of the Corinthian church, so he continued to pray for them; in the meantime, he also warned those who did not respect the authority of God's servants. He told them that when the time was right he would punish all the disobedient ones. This is an important truth in the Bible - We must respect God's anointed servants. It's not because they are perfect and blameless, but it's because we respect the anointing on them and the authority that God entrusted them. Even if they make mistake, we still cannot look down on them.
When King Saul was chasing after David, several times David was hiding in caves when Saul was tired and when into those caves to sleep. Servants of David told him that it would be the best opportunity to kill Saul, but David said that "The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord." David understood the importance of spiritual authority. Even though Saul wanted to kill him, he still respected Saul and didn't dare to hurt him. Back in the Old Testament time, when Moses married a Cushite woman, Miriam and Aaron were disgruntled, and they talked against Moses, saying that "Has the Lord spoken only through Moses? ...Hasn't he also spoken through us?" God became angry at them, and said "Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?" Miriam later had leprosy.
These historic event taught us that we must respect servants who are anointed by God. It doesn't mean that God doesn't discipline His servants, but God will use His own way to punish them. We cannot punish God's servants in His place. Corinthian church was not a mature church, so they not only didn't support Paul, they even criticized him, and that's why they were not blessed by God. Brothers and sisters, do you understand the important of God's anointing on His servants? Do you respect the shepherds whom God ordained for you and are you constantly praying for them?
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