Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Steve Adams):
Disagreements! They’re a part of life, aren’t they? Churches typically have differences of opinion on many issues, but how do some end up living in harmony while others get stuck in strife?
The Corinthian church not only had disagreements, but the disagreements had escalated into arguments. All the energy that the Corinthians were spending on these arguments was sadly wasted. And the disagreements were distracting them from what’s most important — Christ. They could have instead spent their time deepening their faith and understanding, teaching and enlightening one another, and then showing and telling the world about God’s love.
So what about today? What about your church and my church? Colossians 2:2 talks about believers who had their hearts united, knit together in love. Did they have disagreements? Undoubtedly. But did they let the disagreements tear them apart? Absolutely not! I think instead they were open to learning from each other and listening to each other, even if that led them to see life in radically new and different ways. What a useful contrast the New Testament provides! We can look to the Colossians as a model to emulate, and to the Corinthians as one to avoid.
Thought for the day: How can I use God’s creative genius to guide me through disagreements or conflicts with others?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.