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 in 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 in 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.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
If Paul were here today, what would he say?
There are political divisions in the church.
Political identity is becoming stronger than spiritual identity.
Congregations are becoming ideologically homogeneous.
Churches are being shaped by political pressure.
Bottom Line
The way to restore unity among us is through allegiance to Jesus.
Reflection Questions
- Where has my allegiance to Jesus become compromised by politics?
- Am I inviting Jesus to correct, challenge, and shape my assumptions & convictions?
- Where is Jesus inviting me into deeper unity by forming friendships across differences?
