Pauls drumbeat of Unity
The Introduction to 1 Corinthians in the NIV tells us that Paul visited the city of Corinth, a very wealthy and cosmopolitan commercial center after he fled for his safety from Achaia. Paul stayed in Corinth for about 18 months teaching and preaching and saw many come to know Jesus. After he left, the city continued to spiral out of control and became a vial and wicked place. The Corinthians wrote Paul a letter with some key questions, and 1 Corinthians is Paul's response.
One interesting thing comes to my mind when I read the introduction and first chapter of 1 Corinthians, and it is the reminder that each generation seems to believe “it is worse now than ever before.” Maybe it’s just me, but I run into so many that seem to think what our world is going through now is horrific, and we have never experienced anything like it. The internet has run rampant, and access to pornography and the sex culture our kids are facing is unprecedented.
Don’t get me wrong, we do face some interesting challenges, and what kids and honestly all of us have access to causes unique challenges...but reading about Corinth in approximately 50ad makes me think we haven’t seen anything! Corinth was a center for open and unbridled immorality. Get this, the worship of Aphrodite fostered prostitution in the name of religion. At one time, 1,000 sacred (priestess) prostitutes served her temple. So widely known did the immorality of Corinth become that the Greek verb “to Corinthianize” came to mean “to practice sexual immorality.”
This context brings some perspective to anyone who seems to think our culture is worse than ever, and we have “never seen anything like this before.” It is also fascinating in light of the state of the church in Corinth that Paul's essential appeal to the church leaders in his letter dives into unity.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” - 1 Corinthians 1:10 NIV
It should not surprise us that the culture and city are in disarray, and the church is divided and fractured.
“What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas ”; still another, “I follow Christ.” - 1 Corinthians 1:12 NIV
It seems like a drumbeat message from Paul, unity. We saw this all through the book of Romans, and now its the opening focus to the Corinthians. It seems like something we as Christ-followers need to focus on and remember. Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) pastor Nicki Gumbel delivered a fantastic talk a few years back in the Royal Albert Hall.
Gumbel highlighted divisive issues that the Church, in particular, has been dealing with for years, including sexuality, women in leadership, and baptism. It's easy to argue, to split, and to start new groups with those who agree with us, he said, but the beauty of Church is in its diversity. Paul urges the Ephesians to make every effort to remain united in difference, and we're all called to follow the example of Jesus in being humble and gentle, rather than arrogant.
A sharp and clear call for unity, to rise above divisive issues, and remain united in our difference. A great way to do this is to humble ourselves before Christ. Unity happens most naturally when we drop our pride, our arrogance, and understand who we are before the Lord.
“Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” - 1 Corinthians 1:26, 30-31 NIV