Dealing with Disunity in Christ's Church (Pt. 5)

This post is the final part in a 5-part series of posts considering Four Strategies to Deal with Disunity found in 1 Corinthians 1:10-17. To read the full series click here: Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4

Fourth Strategy, Express Priorities - v. 17

Verse 17 is a transitional verse to Paul’s teaching on the cross. It is also a clear statement of the church’s priority. Paul brought the whole church back to the source of their unity and drilled into their hearts the priority of the church we all should center on — namely lifting up and proclaiming Christ and His cross. If a church is busy doing what it ought to be doing, and thinking about God’s priorities, it has little energy to spend in other pursuits. Our unity is in Christ, so let us band together of one mind to carry out the preaching of the gospel. Paul even comments that was his purpose. He writes, I was sent “to preach the gospel.”

This gospel of the cross of Christ is our rallying cry. If we are to be identified with anything let us be identified with Christ as brothers. If we are to form a common purpose, let it be about preaching the cross and all the cross means.

Let us work together to build up the body of Christ not divide it! Let us exalt the head of the church— Christ! Let us make his good news known all around. For our unity is found in Christ and His cross.

Why do we urge unity, expose disunity, expel error, and express the priority of Christ? Because Christ would have us walk arm-in-arm as brothers, and with one voice glorify the Lord Jesus Christ who died to redeem us from our sin. A unified church brings a unified witness and unified praise lifting up the greatness and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Churches focused on Christ don’t easily break apart!