Good morning, all!
Father, you said it is good for the brethren to dwell together in unity, it’s like a precious crown on our head. So, Lord, change our minds to think like YOU, to show favor to one another, to elevate one another and to live together in unity with Your love and peace, Amen.
1 Corinthians 1
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and [that] there be no divisions among you; but [that] ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
I come in the name of OUR Lord Jesus Christ and beg you that we ALL speak the same way and that there is NO divisions but be perfectly joined together is the SAME mind & judgment.
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
This is why we preach Christ crucified so that there is NO division, to the Jew it’s stumbling block they trip over, and the Greek see it as a foolish act that has NO effect on their life.
25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than all of us and His weakness is stronger than all of us.
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, [are called]:
For YOUR calling brothers and sisters is NOT based on your smarts, or how tough you are or your accomplishments.
29 As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.
As a result of Calvary, the FINISHED work of the cross NONE of can say we’ve accomplished or achieved anything from God…it’s called GRACE!
Bottom line
What causes division and separation? Beliefs? Stumbling blocks? Foolishness? This is why Paul points us to the Cross, the FINISHED work of Jesus Christ. Salvation isn’t the Cross, PLUS something else, when we believe or think it’s necessary to ADD something to the cross for salvation that’s foolish. To the Jew the cross is a stumbling block, how do they trip over the cross? I’m a Jew when I reject people because I think there’s not enough evidence in their life to accept them, they’re simply not good enough. Scripture says NONE are righteous absent the cross, no not one. So. who is saved?
[1Ti 2:4 KJV] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. Jesus made sure ALL men are saved so NO other evidence is required, look to the Cross…ALL men is ALL men…mankind! But notice the end of that verse, we must come to the KNOWLEDGE of that truth…we have to believe it. What Paul is addressing in this passage is the crazy hierarchy we all create in our head and follow, we somehow elevate some and put down others, some we accept and some reject. This is in direct conflict with cross of Jesus Christ, this is why we preach Christ crucified. What was crucified? Remember the name of the hill where Jesus was crucified? Golgotha…it’s a Greek word that means place of the SKULL…coincidence? He crucified the mind of man, which is to say He crucified our judgmental thinking, he crucified pride that tell me I’m better than others, He crucified every religious work that tells us the cross is NOT enough. How else could God’s foolishness and weakness save us?
[1Co 4:20-21] the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power. Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a meek spirit? God’s foolishness is to love ALWAYS no matter what we think or do, and His weakness is meekness, He doesn’t get offended by us He offers GRACE instead. I think most divisions in the church, in our homes, at work usually come from us being offended. We think we have a right to be offended with one another; we think we have a right to retribution…that is the mind of man NOT the mind of Christ. Do WE have the mind of Christ? Can you THINK like Him?
[1Co 2:16 NLT] For, “Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ. You see Jesus broke down the barrier of our carnal mind and gave us His spirit, so we have the POWER to think as He thinks. So, what is the power of His mind?
[1Pe 3:9 NLT] Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it. Of course, on the surface it might appear foolish, but it is the power of God, will you bless those that insult you or hurt you? Only if you believe your TRUE power like God is love and meekness…I know it may seem foolish but it’s the SAME power as Christ, I’d rather look foolish in the world then be one in heaven.
Point to Ponder
So what’s the call? [Jhn 17:22-23 KJV] And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one. Our call is to be perfect…to be ONE…to have the mind of Christ.
Let’s all keep our eyes on heaven, In Him Phil
Faith – Family – Friends
