2 minute read.
Daily Reading: 2 Chronicles 35:1-36:23 ESV, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17 ESV, Psalm 27:1-6 ESV, Proverbs 20:20-21 ESV
Daily Verse: “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10 ESV)
KATARTIZO (2675): “Complete thoroughly, i.e., repair, perfectly joined together. It expresses the pastor’s desire for the flock, in exhortation, 1 Cor 1:10, “perfectly joined.”[i]
Perfectly joined.
In Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he pleads for unity. Hearing reports of the division in the church, Paul points the people back to Jesus. Instead of following the Savior, the congregation followed people, enamored with their message.
God wants us unified in Christ. Jesus offers salvation. When we submit our lives to God, we become perfectly joined with Him. Aligning our hearts with Jesus gives us our earthly mission: to love God and others.
Our point of intersection comes when we join together to fulfill the Great Commandment Jesus gave us.
Unified love.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31 ESV)
Unity comes when we join together, loving God and people. Completing our mission on earth only happens when we care for one another. Love defines our purpose. Only through Jesus can we unite with one another to fulfill our tasks.
Promote unity in the world by loving everyone you meet. Seek God and receive the unconditional love He offers. Let the Lord’s light shine through you as He pours into you. Accepting Jesus’ gift changes your life and leads you to everlasting peace.
In a divided world, strive to bring people together. Imitate Christ, and show people what unconditional love looks like by your actions. Lip service doesn’t unite, but loving acts of kindness do.
God tells us to love first and foremost. When we seek God and care for others, we grow the kingdom. Unity happens when we love well.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Greek Dictionary of the New Testament (p. 133) Thomas Nelson
