DEVOTION – DAY 600

1 Corinthians 1:10 “Be United In Mind And Thought”

1 Cor.1:10 “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another with what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

The church in the city of Corinth was divisive. Some had argued that they were Paul’s followers. Others claimed that they followed Peter. Some said they only followed Jesus Christ and no one else. These divisions threatened to affect the church. A message was sent to Paul to ask him to intervene. That was why in the above verse, Paul began to appeal to the Corinthians with the one thing they all have in common – the Lord Jesus Christ. He called for them all to be united in mind and in thought because they were all followers of Jesus Christ. Apostles like Paul, Peter, Silas and others were only mouthpieces to spread the gospel about Jesus Christ. 

Unity in church is important. A divided church will be ineffective. A divided church also bears bad testimony to unbelievers. Unbelievers will see the church as no different from any other group of people in the world around them. They will not want to be a part of the church. 

Some years ago, a disagreement amongst some church leaders caused a church to be divided. Some members supported one group of leaders and other members supported an opposing group of leaders. Relationships became so strained that the members did not want to talk to, or work with each other. One group chose to attend the earlier service on Sundays and the second group chose to attend the later services. Eventually one group left the church to form their own church whilst the remaining group stayed to rebuild the weakened church. Till today, that church has not fully recovered from the crisis. Sadly, the two parties had failed to follow the warning that Paul gave in in 1 Cor.1:10.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, please help us to set aside our individual pride and preferences and to always safeguard the unity we have in Church, both amongst members and in leadership. Please help us to build up the church for your glory. We humbly ask in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions

  1. What are some issues that might cause divisions and disagreements in church today? Discuss.
  2. How can you play your part to help build up your church and not divide it?
  3. How can you be a peacemaker when you see some divisiveness?
  4. Share some past experiences you may have regarding disunity in church and how destructive it was?