Daily Devotion (March 18, 2025)
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all [a]speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. 12 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.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
The 1st Century church was not perfect. They had problems and issues that needed to be addressed.
Division has always been a problem among God’s people and almost every New Testament epistle deals with this topic. Can you imagine that even the Apostles did not always get along with each other.
Paul pleads for unity in the church. He urges them to agree and avoid divisions. His emphasis is for the church to be united in mind and thought, reflecting a shared faith in Jesus.
Paul challenges this divisiveness by pointing out its absurdity. He asks rhetorical questions to emphasize that Christ is the central figure of their faith.
We come from different backgrounds. Paul is encouraging Christians to focus on their shared faith and devotion to Christ. We are to avoid conflicts that develop from personal allegiances or pride.
The first century church did not ignore problems in the church. The leaders taught the importance of love, humility, and forgiveness. The church was encouraged to prioritize their shared faith over personal differences.
The church is to exalt Jesus Christ. Jesus is the central focus of the church. Exalting Jesus encourages unity, hope and purpose in the church. Each individual person is important to God therefore each person should be important in the church.