Today's Devotional Reading
United in Christ, Like-minded in Purpose
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I appeal to you brothers, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree
with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly
united in mind and thought (1 Cor. 1:10).
God has called us to be like minded, after the likeness of the mind of Christ; and in
this that we might have unity and not division. So why then do we not only debate issues
but have let them divide us, and continue to do so. Even as the early Church did, so do we
today. For in Paul's time the church was divided; some saying they were of Paul, and some
of Apollos, and some of Cephas, and some of Christ. To which Paul responded "Is
Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of
Paul?" (1 Cor. 1:12-13) And yet, have we not done the same today? For some say, I am
Baptist; and some I am Methodist; and some I am Pentecostal; and some I am Catholic. To
which the response remains, "Is Christ divided?" Is it God's determination that
we divide ourselves in such a way as to join with those with whom we can agree? Or was it
instead His intentions that we allow our differences to draw us together, to strengthen
us, and to balance us? For as it is, we have divided the Body of Christ, placing an arm
here, and a leg there. Each detached as though it were able to maintain self sufficiency.
For we are not one within the Baptist, or one within the Catholic, or Presbyterian, or
Methodist. But we are all one within the Body, even the Body of Christ.
Keep in mind that each group's truth within these issues is not founded lightly. They have
searched and researched the scriptures and can support their individual beliefs with
scripture. Not to accept anything another part of Christ's body believes is to be
arrogant; and to ignore their thoughts and insights completely is simply ignorant. Holding
to a denominational viewpoint simply because it is ones own is foolish, and stems from
pride, and not from God. Their is no one denomination, group or individual that holds all
truth, it is God's alone.
However, we must not agree to disagree, but agree that one day we can agree. Not that we
might all compromise the Truth, but that we might discover it as a whole. And not that it
should be one groups truth over another, but that we might be willing to put aside our
individual truth, and embrace God's Truth in unity of heart and likeness of mind. Knowing
the day will come when our thinking will come into alignment with one another's, as it
becomes in alignment with God's.
So we then should draw together as one Body, enabling the Body to function as a whole,
allowing each part to function within the Body according to it's design. Some parts for
prophesy, some for tongues, some for healing, some for teaching, some for serving, some
for administration, some for giving, and all for the Head of the Body, which is Christ.
Working together as one in proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. For the cause and the
needs and the purpose of the whole far outweigh those of the individuals. Therefore, do
not continue in division as to cripple the Body of Christ, but come together and serve His
purpose as one.
Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have
the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to
all the others (Rom. 12:4-5).
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