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 2 Corinthians 6:16 I will be their God, and they shall be my people.What a sweet title: "My people!" What a cheering revelation: "Their God!" How much of meaning is couched in those two words, "My people!" Here is speciality. The whole world is God's; the heaven, even the heaven of heavens is the Lord's, and he reigneth among the children of men; but of those whom he hath chosen, whom he hath purchased to himself, he saith what he saith not of others--"My people." In this word there is the idea of proprietorship. In a special manner the "Lord's portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance." All the nations upon earth are his; the whole world is in his power; yet are his people, his chosen, more especially his possession; for he has done more for them than others; he has bought them with his blood; he has brought them nigh to himself; he has set his great heart upon them; he has loved them with an everlasting love, a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the revolutions of time shall never suffice in the least degree to diminish. Dear friends, can you, by faith, see yourselves in that number? Can you look up to heaven and say, "My Lord and my God: mine by that sweet relationship which entitles me to call thee Father; mine by that hallowed fellowship which I delight to hold with thee when thou art pleased to manifest thyself unto me as thou dost not unto the world?" Canst thou read the Book of Inspiration, and find there the indentures of thy salvation? Canst thou read thy title writ in precious blood? Canst thou, by humble faith, lay hold of Jesus' garments, and say, "My Christ"? If thou canst, then God saith of thee, and of others like thee, "My people;" for, if God be your God, and Christ your Christ, the Lord has a special, peculiar favor to you; you are the object of his choice, accepted in his beloved Son. Daily Light on the Daily Path Matthew 6:31,32 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' • "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.Psalm 34:9,10 O fear the LORD, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. • The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the LORD shall not be in want of any good thing. Psalm 84:11,12 For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. • O LORD of hosts, How blessed is the man who trusts in You! 1 Corinthians 7:32 But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. • "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. • "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows. Mark 4:40 And He said to them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 11:22 And Jesus answered saying to them, "Have faith in God. 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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