1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You should not be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, some members of Chloe’s family told me that there are arguments among you. This is what I mean: One of you says, “I follow Paul,” and someone else says, “I follow Apollos.” Another says, “I follow Peter,” and someone else says, “I follow Christ.” Christ cannot be divided into different groups. It wasn’t Paul who died on the cross for you, was it? Were you baptised in Paul’s name?
It doesn’t seem to matter all that much what group of people you get together, why they’re even a group in the first place, disagreements arise. Arguments ensue and inevitably, division happens.
It happens in families, in the workplace, in community groups. And yes, it happens in churches … despite the fact that God’s passion is for there to be unity amongst His people. Which is why, back in the day, He had the Apostle Paul write these words:
1 Corinthians 1:10-13 Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You should not be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, some members of Chloe’s family told me that there are arguments among you. This is what I mean: One of you says, “I follow Paul,” and someone else says, “I follow Apollos.” Another says, “I follow Peter,” and someone else says, “I follow Christ.” Christ cannot be divided into different groups. It wasn’t Paul who died on the cross for you, was it? Were you baptised in Paul’s name?
So, how well have we, God’s own people, executed on His passionate desire to be united; to be one. Well, according to the Centre for the Study of Global Christianity there exist today, over 45,000 Christian denominations around the world. Can you believe that?
So, brothers and sisters, so far as it is up to you, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You shouldn’t be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.