The Lord’s church needs unity, not just in word but also in action. One of the major themes Paul addresses in his letters to the Corinthians (1st and 2nd Corinthians) is their lack of spiritual unity and their unquestionable need for it.
Like Christians today, the Corinthians had numerous reasons for their division. The congregation was surrounded and influenced by a culture that did not know God; ours is, too. Among the members at Corinth, some had a strong and established faith, while the faith of others was very weak; that sounds like the church today. Some Corinthian Christians considered themselves spiritually better or more important than other members; unfortunately, this can still be a problem. Many in Corinth struggled with despicable sins and their need to repent; today, we are no different.
Paul was clear as 1 Corinthians began, “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” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Knowing and later detailing, many of their spiritual struggles and severe lack of unity, Paul still made clear the Lord’s expectation, “no divisions among you.”
Neither the church of the first century nor today can properly function while spiritually divided. We will struggle with the same outside influences, prideful temptations, and sin, but we must resolve to eliminate divisions and cling to spiritual unity.
Matt Langfield