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.

Observation

Paul appeals to the church at Corinth to agree with one another, being one in mind, for the sake of Jesus. Instead of being dived into factions loyal to different teachers, they must be united in their faith.

Paul’s role is not to baptise people but to preach the gospel, the message of foolishness to those who are perishing, but the power of God to those being saved.

Application

When christians major on doctrinal differences or give certain preachers celebrity status, division is certain to follow. We all want to be in the right.

We need to put Christ at the centre of our thinking, not pet doctrines or favourite speakers.

It is Christ who saves us not Joyce Meyer or Joel Osteen. It is His sacrifice on the cross that cancels my sin not the atonement theory or my belief about the rapture.

We must seek to honour one another as members of the family for whom Christ died, even if we have different ideas about aspects of what that means.

Prayer

Thank you Lord for the power of the cross through which I am saved. Help me Father to love other members of your kingdom, especially when we disagree. Amen.