The Pilgrim Path---First Corinthians 1: 10 – 13

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

“IS CHRIST DIVIDED?”

The Apostle Paul starts the letter to the Corinthians by saluting them for being a church that possesses “all” the gifts of the Spirit ( 1: 6, 7). He quickly goes on to point out that they have a glaring problem with divisions. Interesting: all the gifts---but not given to a spirit of cooperation for the sake of King Jesus. All the gifts---but not given to a spirit of brokenness and humility. All the gifts---but not given to a spirit of servanthood and selflessness. All the gifts---but not given to a spirit of denial. All the gifts---but unwilling to repent. Rather tragic, isn’t it? These were Christians---but think of all the time, effort---and emotion wasted…because of a divisive spirit…

“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not being merely human?” I Corinthians 3: 1 - 4

From Richard Baxter: If controversies cause any divisions among you, look first to the interest of common truth and good in love. Do not become a passionate contender for any party in the division but join more with the moderate and peacemakers than with the divisive. Division tends to ruin the church and is condemned in the Scriptures greatly. It is usually the exercise of pride and passion, and the devil is pleased and gains the most by it.

From Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Human love makes itself an end in itself. It creates of itself an end, an idol which it worships, to which it must subject everything. It nurses and cultivates an ideal, it loves itself, and nothing else in the world. Spiritual love, however, comes from Jesus Christ, it serves him alone…

From Charles Haddon Spurgeon: Let us never think we have learned a doctrine until we have seen its fruit in our lives.

From John Duncan: The present principle that is to unite the church in the possession of the one faith is love…Love is the great inward uniting principle.

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4: 1 - 3

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason