The church at
Corinth had numerous troubles with unity. They were divided by following men
rather than after Christ. They were divided over meat offered to idols. They
were divided over spiritual gifts and their conduct at the Lord’s Supper.
Therefore, Paul
wrote to them, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no division
among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Paul knew the
great power that is found in the unity among the brethren. It is for this
reason that he spent much of his letter urging the Corinthian brethren to be
unified with one another. Even today when the church is unified there is great
benefit that results.
First, by our
unity others will know that Jesus was sent into this world to save sinners.
Jesus stated, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will
believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are
in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may
believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)
This unity is
held together by our love for one another. When others see the love that we
have for one another, they will have a taste of the love God has for them.
Remember that Jesus also said, “By this all will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Another benefit
of our unity is that it builds confidence in the doctrine that saves. Paul
wrote, “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered.” (Romans
6:17). The doctrine that saves is the gospel we read of in the New Testament
(Romans 1:16)
Those who are
searching for truth would have confidence in the doctrine when we are all of
the same mind and judgment. In the religious world today, there is much
confusion about salvation, proper worship to God, and the components of daily
Christian conduct. All of this confusion fades away when we teach the pure word
of God.
The apostle
Paul wrote, “For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and
faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach
everywhere in every church.” (1 Corinthians 4:17).
There is great
power and benefit in unity. Our unity is proof that Christ was sent by the
Father into this world. Our unity also gives the souls who are searching for
truth confidence in the doctrine of God. Our unity is truly a beauty to behold
(Psalms 133:1-3).
God Bless each
of you,
Eric Hicks
Comments
Post a Comment