SCRIPTURE:
“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’"
1 Corinthians 1:10-12
OBSERVATION:
The followers in the early church of Corinth began to succumb to a divisive spirit of who they followed or looked to in terms of leadership and what group they would be affiliated with or a part of. Hmmm … sounds like today between some people of different denominations, movements, and churches. Paul reminded them clearly to draw back to unity in Christ as the center, and as one in mind and thought, and not to let the divisive spirit to set in. We believe such and such, or our pastor … sometimes putting things and people above and before Jesus.
APPLICATION:
Thus, sometimes who and what we follow define and supersede our relationship with Jesus. Some movements and groups can become cults or cultic. The Word is very clear that Jesus is the only one we follow; His Word, and what His Word calls us to do, even in our worshipful practices. We are called to be unified in Christ and Christ alone. Competition, achievement, position, power, and broken relationships often follow if we are not careful to remember who we are called to, our call, assignment, and the fact that we are one body in Christ. If we claim to be walking with Christ and have disdain or hate for our brother or sister, we are walking in error and falsehood. We are being hypocritical.
Does it sometimes take processing, prayer, and time? Yes. But it must be done, as it is like a virus, an infection, and cancer that grows within us.
PRAYER:
Lord, please guide me to remember that I am part of your team and should always seek and facilitate unity as I love, lead, and shepherd to work together with teams. The key words of my prayer are “together” and “with.” Your word says that a house that is divided will not stand. Please guide me to keep my house and the house of the Lord united in Jesus.
