Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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  STANDING FIRM IN THE SAME MIND AND JUDGEMENT

Bible Reading:  1 CORINTHIANS 1 :10-13

Key Verse:   Vs 10: Now I plead with you, brethren by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement.

DEVOTION

Paul appropriately advises the church in Corinth to be united. Vs 10 is the key verse of his first letter to Corinthians. if Corinthians can pay heed to Paul's call for unity, his mission will  be a success. Paul says Christ is not divided as the Corinthian community is and hence choosing sides is totally inappropriate and not in tune with Christ’s teaching. Unity in Christ is only possible of we make Christ as our central theme of our life. When we give importance to human leaders, Church traditions, or church constitutions that are made for the smooth operation and administration of the church, divisions can sprout, and allegiance will vary.
Unity means working together despite our diversity and different backgrounds to the glory of God. Our main goal shall be to praise and lift His name and His name only in our church activities. Believers shall have the same mindset to embrace the truth of God’s word and strive for advancing the God’s kingdom. To live in unity let us follow the 5 principles Paul has advocated all through his letters.

1.Christ be the center of our life.  Paul said “for me to live is Christ and to die is gain “.
2.Seek God’s wisdom by depending on the wordfor our counsel and sustenance. It says in Psalms “Thy word is a lamb unto my feet and a light to my path.
3.Surrender our ego and self at the foot of the cross. Paul says once we are in Christ we are a new creation. The old is gone and we wear the new.
4.Foster love and humility.  Thinks and work for the common goals setting aside personal goals and agendas. Love others and be ready to hear others and accommodate. Love binds us together always.
5.Be ready to reconcile. There can be disagreements and opinions. But always has the willingness to approach with love, humility and forgiveness.

May we be willing to listen to Paul’s call for unity in the Church which is His Body standing firm in one mind and judgement. Let us put our divisions away and work for His Glory. Let peace, love and happiness prevail in our families, church AND COMMUNITIES. AMEN.

   PRAYER

  Lord enable us to be peace makers and promoters of unity. Heavenly father help us to pursue the best choices in our life.

Thought of the day

Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called the children of God.


Dr Thomas k. Jose
The Mar Thoma Church, Staten  Island.

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