Undivided: We Go TogetherSýnishorn

No Divisions. One Mind.

By Lisa Supp

“Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 1 Corinthians 1:10 (NASB)

When Jesus came upon the brothers James and John, the Gospel of Mark tells us they were “mending their nets” (Mark 1:19 NKJV). After all, any wise fisherman knows that to draw in a great number of fish the netting must hold. 

The Greek word for mending is “katartizō,” which means to prepare or make perfect. Not coincidentally, Paul uses the same word when he writes “made complete” in the Scripture above. Evidently, schisms had crept into the church at Corinth–a tearing and rending of their fellowship with one another. A mending was needed.

Evidently, some members of the church took offense against one another based on who baptized them. If we continue to read what Paul writes, he specifically highlights that groups were boasting of being of Paul or Apollos or Peter or Christ. Each faction argued they had a better doctrine, better theology, better teaching . . . a self-righteous viewpoint of their worship or leader. 

And we see this today, especially in churches where more than one pastor teaches. I’ve literally heard people say, “Well, Pastor ____ won’t be speaking next Sunday, so I think I’ll stay home.” I’ve also heard, “Pastor _____ is my favorite pastor. He carries the church.” Sadly, entire cliques form around one certain messenger of God. Truly, how sad for the church. How sad for Jesus to witness this, because when the body of Christ tears or rends, who bleeds? Jesus.

The health and vitality of any church thrives on truth, love, and unity. When any component goes awry, a division (a schism) takes place. When a fracture is left untreated, it may never mend well, and what’s left is a broken and sick body. A body that cannot function well internally is not going to be effective in the external matters of ministry. It’s hard to be a fisher of men when nets are broken.

It’s perfectly fine to have a favorite teacher. But when we begin to space ourselves from one another and go to lengths to avoid church simply because our “favorite” isn’t at the podium, then we do ourselves a disservice, our brothers and sisters a disservice, and we completely override the true purpose of assembly—to hear from the Holy Spirit. 

And the Spirit would tell us, “Mere men will fall; surely, they will fail. But Jesus never will.” Paul exhorts us all to be Jesus-centered, for it was He who was crucified for us, and He is the only name we’re baptized in.

PAUSE: What are the potential problems for placing all our “eggs in one basket” regarding a church leader? 

PRACTICE: Scripture tells us that God is not one to show partiality. If you are His child, how can you better reflect that relationship?

PRAY: Jesus, we in no way want to dishonor You by dishonoring one another. If there is any division in my heart or in the church I attend, I ask that You would reveal it and help to extinguish any partiality because You, God, are not One who is partial. And we want to be a reflection of You in how we worship and fellowship. Let it be so in the name of Jesus.