Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Lent: A Time of Reconciliation
Ryan Jacob
Long Island MTC, NY
10 Now I appeal to you,
brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of
you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
united in the same mind and the same purpose.
I recently was reading an article as to why people no longer attend church. In the article, it listed 10 reasons that were most frequently given. It became clear that one of the underlying themes was interpersonal conflict. As we see in this passage, this was an issue for the original churches as much as it is an issue for us today.
The conflict that Paul illustrates arises from issues of status and party loyalty. People were drawing lines in the sand, dividing themselves according to who brought them to the faith or whom they were baptized by. As word of this traveled back to Paul, he understood that it was necessary to intervene. Paul’s plea for the church was a reminder that it was not about him or any other church leader, but it was by the grace of God through Christ that they were sanctified and called to be saints.
Those original conflicts continue to permeate throughout Christianity today. How often do we find differences between ourselves and others who call themselves Christians? Within our own churches we may look to find more reasons to divide us than to understand the greater love that unites us.
Paul’s desire for us to be united in one mind and one judgment was not a signal that disagreements should not occur; rather, if there were differing opinions, that they were not expressed in an unkind unloving manner, but for the church to maintain peace through the disagreements. We as a church should strive for that same desire to maintain peace regardless of contradicting opinions, always speaking to one another with kindness and love.
I recently was reading an article as to why people no longer attend church. In the article, it listed 10 reasons that were most frequently given. It became clear that one of the underlying themes was interpersonal conflict. As we see in this passage, this was an issue for the original churches as much as it is an issue for us today.
The conflict that Paul illustrates arises from issues of status and party loyalty. People were drawing lines in the sand, dividing themselves according to who brought them to the faith or whom they were baptized by. As word of this traveled back to Paul, he understood that it was necessary to intervene. Paul’s plea for the church was a reminder that it was not about him or any other church leader, but it was by the grace of God through Christ that they were sanctified and called to be saints.
Those original conflicts continue to permeate throughout Christianity today. How often do we find differences between ourselves and others who call themselves Christians? Within our own churches we may look to find more reasons to divide us than to understand the greater love that unites us.
Paul’s desire for us to be united in one mind and one judgment was not a signal that disagreements should not occur; rather, if there were differing opinions, that they were not expressed in an unkind unloving manner, but for the church to maintain peace through the disagreements. We as a church should strive for that same desire to maintain peace regardless of contradicting opinions, always speaking to one another with kindness and love.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly
Father, We pray that You touch our hearts so that though our minds may
argue and disagree, we continue to show each other Your love, kindness and
peace. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
We are all divided, and through grace on a cross, we have all been united.
We are all divided, and through grace on a cross, we have all been united.