What’s Really Going On?
On the world stage, have you noticed the level of disagreement that is occurring today? It is especially prevalent in America, where we are supposed to have free speech, which means we can speak our minds and move on. Yet, over the past 8-10 years, this free speech gift our founding fathers gave us has morphed into, at the very least, intolerance, and at the most, silencing the opposing side, even unto murder.
Let’s bring it down to the community stage. Granted, there are many reasons people within a community don’t get along, like differences in beliefs, culture, and politics, as well as issues like a lack of resources, poor communication, and unresolved resentments from unmet needs or discrimination. These conflicts can also be fueled by competition for resources, unclear expectations, and an absence of a shared purpose or vision. But let’s face it, God made us all different on purpose.
Let’s take it one step further, to the family stage. This might be where it is the hardest to allow others to have their own thoughts, speak their mind, and have their way. It is human nature to think others are like us, and when they are not, we often decide not to like them. I am speaking of adults, of course, or am I?
In I Corinthians 1:10, Paul is speaking to the church at Corinth, a Gentile church with many issues. The first issue he addresses deals with not getting along or division in the church. Now, the church is made up of families, and families make up communities. This church was in the Province of Corinth, a part of Greece, which was a very idolatrous nation with much division among the people. You can see where the problem is but Paul had spiritual insight with a solution.
He says, 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. I Corinthians 1:10
He goes on to say how he heard and where the contentions started. He calls it out. He declares that there is no division in Christ, Who is not divided but unites us all together. He gives a spiritual truth for the application of uniting and preventing division. This unity forms in the hearts of believers as we think the same things about God, His Word, and His ways. This flint-like focus keeps our eyes on Jesus and off others. We extend grace and peace. Paul exhorts the church in Ephesians to endeavor to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
Toward the end of Paul’s first letter to the church of Corinth, he reiterates this by saying, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. He identifies who causes discord that leads to division. This makes me think of the verses in Ephesians where he gives the pieces of armor to put on to stand against the wiles of the devil, the one who causes division.
Today, let’s declare that we will be a vessel of peace and unity in our homes, in our church, and in our community through the peace of God as we allow Him to work through us, while taking a stand against the evil one. How sweet it is when we dwell together in unity (Psalm 133:1).
