1 Corinthians 1

Bible Passage: 1 Corinthians 1

The Mid Year Spiritual Meeting just ended yesterday. While we may be physically tired, our spiritual levels are definitely boosted. As we embark on the second half of this year, may we continue to have great faith and apply the lessons we learn from the past weekend to our daily lives.

We begin this month with reading the book of 1 Corinthians, one of the 13 epistles written by Paul. While addressing the Corinth church specifically, the letter is relevant to all believers of Christ.

One important theme pointed out by Paul was unity of the church members. The Corinthian church was divided over leadership. Some favoured the teachings of Paul, some preferred Apollos, some followed Cephas.

What is frightening is the church body can be divided very easily, if members are not careful and tend to take sides. Besides leadership, what else can cause divisions in church? Rumours, differing views on life, self-centredness, money, family, friends…so on.

When such things happen, we have to ask ourselves whose side we choose, whether we choose any side at all. Will you still follow your husband, wife, parents, siblings, close friends, children, even though you know what they say or do are against the commandments of the Lord? When you know what they are doing will cause divisions in the church, will you speak up?

This reminds me once again of this verse:

“Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you gave him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”

Ezekiel 3:17-18

Or worse, are WE the ones causing the division?

It is human nature to take sides, and it is natural to side with your own family and friends. But beware of becoming a stumbling block to others, influencing others with the way you think and the words you say.

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.”

Romans 14:13

Unfortunately, division among church members can take the form of any shape and size. Bonds among brethren will start to break, weakening the internal structure, and gradually some fall away. Without us discerning carefully and relying on the Word of God, we will fall right into Satan’s trap.

At the end of the day, we are 1 body of Christ. Yesterday, we partook the Holy Communion, only 1 bread, only 1 body of Christ. How will God feel about unhappiness and division among His children? What do we dare say to Him when He asks us?

May God open up our eyes to see things clearly and to be able to discern right from wrong.