A REMINDER ABOUT UNITY

A Reminder about Unity

The other night I was having a conversation with a friend and we were both heartbroken by some of the issues that the Church today wrestles with. As we were talking, it dawned on us that we should not be surprised. Instead, we realized that the Church has been dealing with these same issues since its inception. One of the biggest problems in the Church today is disunity. The Bible is very clear to say disunity is a sin. The church in Corinth dealt with it and the church in America deals with it as well. The main issue in Corinth was that people were claiming allegiance to different leaders. The issues that plague the Church in our day are the same but we have added many more things to be divided over. Any way you look at it, disunity is still a sin.

What is the main reason for the Church’s existence? Is it for everyone to push and shove to get their own way? No, our purpose is the proclamation of the Gospel. The Corinthian believers had lost their focus on the main thing and so have we. I could expound on this; but instead, I will let Scripture speak for itself:

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. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, so no one can say that you were baptized into my name. (Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Are we doing things day-to-day that encourage unity or are we a cause of disunity? May we keep our focus on the main thing and see what God will do with our obedience.

Looking forward to all the great things God will do with our unity,
Aaron Hodges