The church has been plagued with dissension over various issues, usually not at all related to the cross of Christ. As we see in 1 Corinthians, this is nothing new in our day and time. This week, Tyler Jones takes us through Paul's call for unity in the church, all based on the cross of Jesus Christ.
I Cor. 1:17 "...lest the cross be emptied of its power."
Unity does not mean uniformity
Unity is not an acceptance of all views
Unity does not dictate same preferences, it does mean there must be no prejudice.
Romans 6:1-2 & 6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it…We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
Those who claimed to belong to Apollos were, no doubt, the intellectuals who were fast turning Christianity into a philosophy rather than a religion.
Reflection Questions
What dissention have you caused in the church and in the kingdom? How are you going to redeem it? When?
Paul warns of us three groups --the folks living in sin but claiming grace will allow it, the folks living in sin thinking that religion will cover it, the folks covering their sin with intellect. Who are you? How can Jesus free you? Take this time to come to Jesus, allow Him to convict you & then respond.