1 Corinthians 1:10
“10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, 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.”
A plea for unity is the first topic on Paul’s agenda, having complemented his audience on how he sees God working in their lives thus laying the foundation for his message. That is a word and a plea we are all familiar with these days as we approach elections. We are being asked to forget economic differences and state identities and focus on a bigger national idea. We are being asked to be united.
Paul continues in verse 12 to list the source of division. It seems that the Corinthians were divided over who had led them to become believers. They had divided loyalties. People identified with different preachers. Today we might say it is like the different denominations with each having its own unique flavor. Or to bring it down to earth, it might be the divisions among us about which part of the political platform should be emphasized and how to achieve the goal. Interest groups. The candidates want us to focus on party identity and not splinter over individual issues. Paul asks the Corinthians to focus on uniting factors. All believe in Christ and they were baptized into his name.
Paul reminds us in verse 17 that the power lies in the cross, not in the eloquence of the speaker who led them to faith. So what gets under your skin and leads you to disharmony with another? Do you have a pet peeve that gets to you and divides you from your friends? Let us pray today that the Holy Spirit will shine in our hearts and convict us of ways that we are being judgmental and unfair. Open our eyes to see that that other is someone Christ died for. Help Lord.
On the Way to Wonder 