Together in Christ

Chuckle: New bride to husband: "Nonsense, dear. It's just a coincidence that I never liked you until you won the lottery." --Art Bouthillier

Quote: "We may not always see eye to eye, but we should always walk hand in hand." –Unknown source

"Now, dear brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves. Let there be harmony so there won't be divisions in the church. I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose" (I Corinthians 1:10 NLT).

Sadly, there are dissentions and divisions within many Christian churches. But the more I think about the problem, the reason becomes progressively more clear. The Bible tells us there is spiritual warfare going on in the world between the forces of evil (Satan) and the Holy Spirit of Almighty God. If Satan can divide us Christians and thereby damage our witness, he has neutralized the church, and scored a major victory.

In Paul's writings, unity within the church is a major theme. As background to our passage, Paul had founded the church at Corinth on his second missionary journey. Eighteen months after he left, arguments and divisions arose, and some church members slipped back into immoral life-styles. By using the term "brothers and sisters," He is emphasizing that all Christians are part of God's family and they share a unity that runs even deeper than that of blood brothers and sisters.

We should be united in spirit, thought, and purpose, but this does not require everyone to agree on everything. However, there is a great contrast between differences of opinions and divisions within the fellowship. Paul is encouraging all believers to behave in a way that will reduce arguments and increase harmony within the body. Petty differences should never divide us.

Most contentions today are the result of conflicting personalities -- basically the same as in the day of Paul's writings. They are usually caused by intellectual conceit, selfishness, or by a lack of consecration and humility. The idea that "God has revealed to me how the church should function, but not to you," is often a thread that runs through lack of unity. The evils connected with divisions in modern-day churches are many, and they only serve to weaken the church.

It behooves each of us to be agents of love and unity but never of division. This will be our attitude if we have the good of the church and the mission of God's kingdom uppermost in our minds and hearts. The appeal for unity is made with love and concern. "I appeal to you" -- and in love -- "brothers and sisters." Unity, then, is realized when each member of a congregation turns his or her thoughts to Christ rather than individual feelings.

The church filled with strife may do well to be reminded of Lord Nelson at Trafalgar who, coming on deck and finding two British officers quarreling, whirled them about -- pointing to the ships of their adversary -- exclaimed. "Gentlemen, there are your enemies."

Love, Jerry & Dotse