Ministerial Jealousy? An Admission by Clement of Rome

As the blogosphere grows, included in it are countless Christian blogs sprouting up. I fear that this may be a double-edge sword. What an opportunity to spread the good news, but also what an opportunity to lose one's witness by "vain and fruitless cares." There are several widely-read blogs that seem to excel in this area. I suspect that a certain type of ministerial jealousy undergirds this practice.

Clement of Rome, writing 1900 years ago, in his letter to the Corinthian church spends several chapters discussing the topic of jealousy:

"These things, beloved, we write to you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves. For we are struggling in the same arena, and the same conflict is assigned to both of us. So let us give up vain and fruitless cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling. Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us. Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all who would be converted to Him. Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved. Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were aliens [to the covenant] of God."

It is interesting to note that not only is Clement admonishing the church to maintain unity so that the bond of peace may not be broken, he rightly acknowledges that he is writing to "remind ourselves" to give up "vain and fruitless cares."

As Christian bloggers, let us heed the advice of this apostolic-era church father. Let us ask ourselves what our purpose in blogging is. And if need be, let us repent of our actions. I know that I need to do concerning certain occasions of how I have handled issues. Likewise, as imperfect sinners saved by the grace of God, let's keep in mind the goal of blogging: to glorify God, and distance ourselves from strife and disunity over hills which are not meant to die on.