In The Word
Read 1 Corinthians 1:1-17
Appeal to Unity
1 Paul, called as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 even as the testimony concerning Christ was confirmed in you, 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” 13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
The apostle Paul was the overseer of the church at Corinth so he often received reports from them. He often wrote to encourage them and give instruction. But he also wrote them to correct their errors. In today’s reading, he confronts the issue of quarrels amongst them. He says that Chloe’s people informed him of the issues that were going on. Paul responded because he understood the power of unity and the destructive properties of dissension.
We sometimes have a hard time seeing that people have different gifts and therefore have different positons. This thought process causes people to turn against one another and take a stance for their position instead of the vision. Paul asked them a very powerful question, “Has Christ been divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13 NASB). This is a question we should ask ourselves when we feel like we are divided as a body. The enemy has used this tactic to try and stop the work of God from progressing over and over again.
We have to come to the realization that we are on this journey together to make disciples of all nations. We are not isolated or alone in fighting the fight of faith, so we must come into agreement and work together. Today let us lay aside our differences and rally together under the mission of serving God.