Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (I Corinthians 1:12-16) Herein, we can even substitute "another name" for Paul (including our own) because to some extent, that is exactly what is happening within the religious culture of this day.
Instead of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ (who willingly accepted the suffering of the cross so that we might have life eternal) we talk about our church or religion. Instead of proclaiming Jesus and His abundance of goodness and grace, we speak highly of spiritual leaders and pastors who lord over us. Instead of looking to Jesus for all our daily needs, we are quick to say, "I declare" (as if there is anything we can accomplish of our own doing) rather than recognize that "the heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." (Psalm 19:1-3)
It is for this reason that we need to reacquaint ourselves with Paul's writing in I and II Corinthians. He wrote: "Now I beseech you brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and there be no divisions among you but ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgement." (I Corinthians 1:10)
This does not mean unity among religious faiths as some are suggesting. Neither does it mean that we become content in running with our own agenda, or promoting church doctrine(s) or statement(s) of faith or teaching(s) that are contrary to the Word. Rather, we are remain steadfast in the apostles' doctrine. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." (Acts 2:37-42)
Moreover, Paul talked about preaching the cross. "For Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God.
For it is written: I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND WILL BRING TO NOTHING THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE PRUDENT.
Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified -- unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness -- but unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God ... because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
"For ye see your calling ... God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty, and base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence.
But of Him are ye made in Christ Jesus -- who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification and redemption that, according as it is written, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord." (I Corinthians 1:17-31)
Receive your calling today. Get to know the mind of Christ by studying His Word as a workman does, and hide it in your heart, so that your faith should not stand only in the wisdom of God but in the power of God. Stand in the offering plate.
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