Bible League: Living His Word Brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg all of you to agree with each other. You should not be divided into different groups. Be completely joined together again with the same kind of thinking and the same purpose.— 1 Corinthians 1:10 ERV The Apostle Paul begged the members of the Corinthian church, and members of all churches by extension, "to agree with each other." He begged them "by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ," that is, on the basis of the authoritative teaching of the Lord Jesus. It was Jesus Himself who prayed that the church would be one. He prayed, "Father, I pray that all who believe in me can be one. You are in me and I am in you. I pray that they can also be one in us" (John 17:21). Obviously, unity amongst the members of His church was important to Jesus. Jesus' prayer means, first of all, that the unity of the members of His church is a spiritual unity with the Father in heaven and with Himself. Paul concludes, as a result, that the members should not arbitrarily divide themselves into different groups. The example he gives of such division is those who say, "'I follow Paul,' and someone else says, 'I follow Apollos.' Another says, 'I follow Peter'" (1 Corinthians 1:12). Although each of these leaders had his own unique style of preaching, it was not a sufficient reason for dividing the church into different groups. Instead of division, then, the church should be joined with "the same kind of thinking." They should all be in agreement on the fundamental doctrines of the Gospel. Minor differences in style and practice should not be the cause of divisions in a church. In addition to the same thinking, a church should be joined with "the same purpose." Although each leader may have unique goals for his ministry, they should all agree on the fundamental purpose of spreading the Gospel and building up a church. Here, too, where there is disagreement on non-essentials, Paul counsels that they differ with a good spirit. Paul is warning that factionalism should not be given a foothold in a church. Pray for the churches today to pursue and preserve the unity of Christ. Bible in a Year Old Testament Reading1 Kings 10, 11 1 Kings 10 -- The Queen of Sheba Visits Solomon NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB 1 Kings 11 -- Solomon's Wives Draw Him to Idolatry; Solomon's Death NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB New Testament Reading Luke 24:1-35 Luke 24 -- The Resurrection; Road to Emmaus; Appearances to disciples, Ascension NIV NLT ESV NAS GWT KJV ASV ERV DRB Reading Plan Courtesy of Christian Classics Etherial Library. Tyndale Life Application Daily Devotion Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?”I said, “Here I am. Send me.” Insight The more clearly Isaiah saw God, the more aware Isaiah became of his own powerlessness and inadequacy to do anything of lasting value without God. But he was willing to be God's spokesman. Challenge When God calls, will you also say, “Send me”? Morning and Evening by Spurgeon Proverbs 16:20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.Wisdom is man's true strength; and, under its guidance, he best accomplishes the ends of his being. Wisely handling the matter of life gives to man the richest enjoyment, and presents the noblest occupation for his powers; hence by it he finds good in the fullest sense. Without wisdom, man is as the wild ass's colt, running hither and thither, wasting strength which might be profitably employed. Wisdom is the compass by which man is to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it he is a derelict vessel, the sport of winds and waves. A man must be prudent in such a world as this, or he will find no good, but be betrayed into unnumbered ills. The pilgrim will sorely wound his feet among the briers of the wood of life if he do not pick his steps with the utmost caution. He who is in a wilderness infested with robber bands must handle matters wisely if he would journey safely. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where he leads, we shall find good, even while in this dark abode; there are celestial fruits to be gathered this side of Eden's bowers, and songs of paradise to be sung amid the groves of earth. But where shall this wisdom be found? Many have dreamed of it, but have not possessed it. Where shall we learn it? Let us listen to the voice of the Lord, for he hath declared the secret; he hath revealed to the sons of men wherein true wisdom lieth, and we have it in the text, "Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he." The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clew to the most intricate labyrinths of life; follow it and find eternal bliss. He who trusts in the Lord has a diploma for wisdom granted by inspiration: happy is he now, and happier shall he be above. Lord, in this sweet eventide walk with me in the garden, and teach me the wisdom of faith. Daily Light on the Daily Path Psalm 105:39 He spread a cloud for a covering, And fire to illumine by night.Psalm 103:13,14 Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him. • For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust. Psalm 121:6 The sun will not smite you by day, Nor the moon by night. Isaiah 4:6 There will be a shelter to give shade from the heat by day, and refuge and protection from the storm and the rain. Psalm 121:5,8 The LORD is your keeper; The LORD is your shade on your right hand. • The LORD will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever. Exodus 13:21,22 The LORD was going before them in a pillar of cloud by day to lead them on the way, and in a pillar of fire by night to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night. • He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org. |
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