Scripture: 1
Corinthians 1:10-18
Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church was written in
response to troubling news. This letter addressed the divisions that were in
the church of Corinth. In many ways the Christians there had become more influenced
by their culture than by Christ. Paul expected that his message would be
unwelcomed and upsetting to these people whom he loved. Nevertheless, he wrote
because he loved them. In this section he confronts them, urges them to be
united, and to remember the impact of the cross of Christ upon them. This
reading causes us to consider the divisions in the Church and calls us commit
ourselves to the “folly” of the cross.
Teaching
There is only one Church. It includes everyone who believes
in Christ the Crucified as their Savior and Lord. There is only one kingdom of
God. It is the one that Jesus, himself, proclaimed saying, “Repent, for the
kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mat. 4:17). This truth is foundational to the
call to “agree” and to have “no divisions” and to be “united.” He is calling
them to return to the unity we have in Christ. We are to be of the same mind
and same judgement – not agreeing to disagree or to be nice for the sake of
niceness, but submitting ourselves to the Word of God and the good news that
Christ died and rose to atone for our sins. We have been incorporated into
Jesus. He (and his Spirit) are our unity.
The heart and core of our unity is the Gospel: the message
that Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified to atone for our sins, rose from the
dead, was seen by witnesses, ascended into heaven, and will come again. This
message is “folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it
is the power of God.” Folly and power stand in contrast in Jesus’ cross. It
looks like folly, and that is why many reject the cross and why we are often
tempted to add something to it – a good work, our reason, our self-denial. In
reality such things are powerless. It is only faith in the crucified and risen
One (which is what is meant by “the cross”) that we are reconciled to God,
forgiven for sin, and saved from death and damnation.
Life
Sometimes in conversations I have heard people say, “We’ll
just have to agree to disagree.” In some parts of our lives this can be helpful
and even healthy. In the unity of the church it is not. We live as people under
Christ and in his forgiveness. He calls us to love one another. Does love
overlook that which harms someone, as false doctrine and unfaithful behaviors
certainly can? At the same time, is love harsh, demeaning, and judgmental? How
might you display love to those who are not acting in unity with Jesus’ gospel?
Take some time to ponder the cross of Christ, and its impact
on your life. Are there times when it seems like it is insufficient? Are there
times when you are empowered by your trust in Jesus to act in faithful and
loving ways? How might humbly submitting ourselves to the cross of Christ
impact our relationship with others?
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