Today’s devotion comes from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
“10 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.
11 For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”
13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,
15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name.
16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other.
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.” 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.
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Regarding Paul’s exhortation that we “all agree and that there be no divisions“, we are by nature factious (inclined to factions and divisions and dissensions). “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.
But, there is hope!
There is the hope of the fruit of the Holy Spirit!
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
There is also the hope of the unity of faith!
When we understand and believe that the cross of Christ excludes boasting as the rest of the chapter (1 Corinthians 1:18-31) makes abundantly clear. then we seek Christ and cling to Him and we let go of our particular faction.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 