10I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,a in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephasb ”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
13Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1 Corinthians 1)
Thoughts: Christ is not divided, and his body should not be divided either. For basically a thousand years the orthodox church got this. Today we divide at the drop of a hat. I heard of a church in Tennessee who divided because one person pealed a potato from back to front and the other said it should be from front to back. Soon people were choosing sides, and the church divided. People divide because they believe they have the right belief while others are unorthodox. Some are progressive and others are conservative- some would rather divide the church than have their idealistic view held down. Some divide over the music. Others divide over whether they like the pastor or not. Most use the Bible as justification to divide, and often say that for the peace of the church they must divide.Today there are 33,000 denominations worldwide. But the Bible gives little if any justification to divide. Jesus said "the world will know you are my disciples if you show love for one another.. make them one as we are one" (John 13:13; 17:21). Here Paul criticizes the Corinthian church for its party spirit. They are rebelling against Christ by choosing sides in their pride instead of working together to love one another. The church has failed today because we have forgotten the real importance of unity over idealism.
Prayer: Lord, send your Spirit to make us one as you are one.
No comments:
Post a Comment