The first-century congregation in the city of Corinth was dealing with a divisive spirit that had permeated the membership. A report had reached the apostle Paul that each member of the congregation was claiming allegiance to various ones—“I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 1:12). The inspired penmen denounced such contentions with one statement—“Is Christ divided?” (1:13). The obvious answer is, “Absolutely not!” Therefore, if Christ is not divided, then what should those who are divided do?
While Paul was reflecting on the reality that was plaguing the followers of Christ in Corinth, he had just stated in no uncertain terms the divine, eternal, uncompromising will of God—“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment” (1:10). How many “divisions” did (or would) heaven approve? None! Zero!
Look around today. The religious division and religious confusion that exists today is so widespread and so dominant that it would seem to some to be inevitable, acceptable and even preferrable. Read God’s will again—“that there be no divisions among you.” Therefore, it is not acceptable to God for there to be even one division of His followers into two different groups teaching two different things (let alone hundreds of different groups teaching hundreds of different things). The resulting and present-day division of believers has caused many others to reject Christ and refuse any form of Christianity, based upon what they witness among those who claim to be followers of Christ but cannot agree on the simplest of matters (see John 17:20-21).
So, what should we do? Read First Corinthians 1:10 again. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing…” ALL. SPEAK. THE SAME THING. Someone says, “That’s easier said than done.” But, why? If we ALL only SPEAK the SAME thing that the BIBLE says, there would be NO divisions. That’s what God is telling us!
If there was ever a time in our modern era when the world needed Christ, it is now! But it cannot happen to its fullest while man divides believers into varying groups by their varying doctrines. Friends, please, let’s abandon all manmade doctrines and manmade churches, and let’s “all speak the same thing” by speaking only “the oracles of God” (1 Pet. 4:11). Salvation is only through Christ (Acts 4:12) and His word (Jas. 1:21). Let us believe it, love it, teach it and obey it!