Read the Word:
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Meditate on the Word:
When Paul wrote his letter to the church at Corinth, the members had divided themselves into different camps based on who their favorite teacher of scripture was. This church was creating a rivalry that did not exist, based on the personalities of three preachers. These three preached the same message of Christ. There were no differences in their doctrines. None of them could be accused of being a false teacher, or teaching error. And none of these preachers experienced any sort of rivalry with the others. They all saw each other as brothers.
Certainly, we are to withdraw from those who teach error. But this was not what was happening in this instance. The church at Corinth was dividing the body of Christ into artificial groups, thus damaging their gospel witness. Does the church at large do this today? We have developed the ability to divide over seemingly anything. We will divide over the worship style, the translation of scripture the pastor preaches from, and even political affiliations, as though these are matters of orthodoxy. We forget that the real standard that churches and their members should be held to is found in scripture. Let us endeavor to not artificially divide the body of Christ today.
Pray the Word:
Ask our Lord for wisdom in dealing with other Christians who think differently than you do.
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