1 Corinthians 1:10-18 (NRSV)
Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 10Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose. Verse 11For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. Verse 12What I mean is that each of you says, "I belong to Paul," or "I belong to Apollos," or "I belong to Cephas," or "I belong to Christ." Verse 13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Verse 14I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, Verse 15so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. Verse 16(I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.)
Verse 17For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. Verse 18For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
Devotion
Our world today promotes allegiance and labels, denominations, and dominant voices spewing rhetoric and fake news. Yet the gospel calls us to unity in Christ, through Christ and with Christ alone. The power of the cross is greater than human wisdom or human rhetoric that reinforces power and privilege over justice. The waters of your baptism lay claim on your identity: Child of God.
We are saved, not through our affiliations or preferences, but Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Apostle Paul urges the church in Corinth to be united, not divided by allegiance to human leaders. Some claimed to follow Paul, others Apollos, others Cephas, and still others Christ. But Paul reminds us that Christ is not divided. The cross is the center of our faith, not the personality of teacher, preacher, or politician. Let us remember: our identity is found in Christ. When we fix our eyes on him, divisions fade, and the church shines as one body, proclaiming the good news of salvation.
Prayer
God of Radiant Wholeness and Salvation, keep us united through your cross. Help us to live wisely as your children, always. Amen.
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