I want to address a question that may seem absurd but is unfortunately a reality in our Christian walk. Has Christ been divided up? The apostle Paul asks this question in 1 Corinthians 1:13, and it's a call to examine our hearts and our actions.
Paul's plea is clear: "Is Christ divided?" (1 Corinthians 1:13) The answer is a resounding "No!"
In Corinth, the church was fragmented, with different factions claiming allegiance to various leaders: Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. Sounds familiar?
The Corinthian church was plagued by factions, with some claiming allegiance to Paul, others to Apollos, and others to Cephas (1 Corinthians 1:12). This division was not only damaging to the church's unity but also undermined the very essence of the gospel. Paul's response is a powerful reminder of the unity we share in Christ. Christ is one, and we are one in Him (Galatians 3:28). Our unity is not based on human leaders, doctrines, traditions, or worship styles. but on the cross of Christ, where He reconciled us to God and to each other (Ephesians 2:13-18).
Scriptural Emphasis on Unity:
- "There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called" (Ephesians 4:4).
- "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:13).
- "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
So, how do we overcome division and embrace our unity in Christ?
- Recognize our shared identity:
We are all part of the body of Christ, called to work together in harmony (1 Corinthians 12:12-13).
- Embrace humility: Let us lay aside our pride and human allegiances, acknowledging that our wisdom and strength come from God alone (1 Corinthians 1:29-31).
- Focus on the cross: The cross is our unifying factor, reminding us of God's love and grace, which we all receive equally (Ephesians 2:13-18).
Has Christ been divided up? Absolutely not! Our unity in Christ is a fundamental aspect of our faith, and we must strive to maintain it. Let us put aside our divisions and embrace our shared identity in Christ, that we may be a witness to His love and grace in a fragmented world.
"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).
Let us strive for the unity that Christ prayed for in John 17:21: "That they may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." May our unity in Christ be a beacon of hope to a divided world.
