Tuesday, August 22, 2006
1 Corinthians 1:12-13 Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
OUR UNITY IS IN CHRIST
It wasn't all that long ago that a certain political party's mantra was "Our strength is in our diversity." In other words, we are strong because of our differences. I have a hard time understanding politicians. I suppose that on some level that could be partly true, but in general it makes no sense to me. It seems to me that our strength lies in what we have in common, not in our differences.
Do you think the Corinthian congregation was stronger because of their differences, their divisions? There were different parties developing because they were comparing and quarreling about which servant was better! They were acting like kids choosing teams for kickball! Paul is the best! No, I think that Apollos is better! Cephas, Peter the Rock, is my guy. Oh yeah, well Christ is better than all of them! Instead of being one team with Christ as the captain, they were in danger of becoming four teams fighting with each other -- and in the process none of them was doing the work they had been given to do. This is what happens when Christians forget what it means to be one in Christ and one with each other.
Let's not imagine that we are immune to this mistake. Let's not even start comparing the men who have served over the years. God called each of those men to serve Him while also serving you. God accomplished what He willed to accomplish through each man.
We have work to do as congregations, and to complete that work we will need to work together! We have been given a tremendous opportunity. Let's pray that no division ever undermines our fellowship -- doctrinal or otherwise. We are one in Christ. We hold the Savior of the World in common! We are not strong because of what we don't have in common, but because of what we do. Jesus is Lord and Master, the head of the church and of your congregation -- not the pastor, not the president, not the elders, not members who have been there longest or who speak the loudest. Our unity is in Christ.
