Young People's Group

PERFECTLY JOINED TOGETHER

by Pastor Mitch
May 23, 2010

The Subtlety Of The Problem Of Pride

Personal association with a pastor or a spiritual leader is a good thing. There is nothing wrong to have a natural affiliation to a certain pastor. Some may be inclined to relate to one more than the other, while others may prefer to relate to all. This basis of relating is most acceptable. However, this basis can be corrupted when pride subtly creeps in to affect such associations. The Church at Corinth had this problem.

“That there are contentions among you. Now I say this, that each of you says, ‘I am of Paul,’ or ‘I am of Apollo,’ or ‘I am of Cephas,’ or ‘I am of Christ.'” 
1 Corinthians 1:11-12

They had confidence in the wrong things. The phrase “I am” depicts great emphasis on the self. There was great pride and confidence in belonging to a group.
The Corinthians took pride in being associated to the spiritual leader who baptized them. And because of this, contention arose as a result. Disagreements and conflicts very often arise, if not most of the time, because of pride problems. Young people, let’s be careful of the subtlety of the sin of pride. It can cause strife and conflict that can affect the relationships we have among ourselves.

The Challenge To Be Perfectly Joined Together

“Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” 
1 Corinthians 1:10

Paul knew that he had to battle this problem of contention vigorously. He pleaded with the brethren to stop this problem of schism among them. He had to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus as he implored them to come together as one again. Maybe you have some difficulties with someone in Church and you find it hard to relate to this person. The challenge for us is to be perfectly joined together. The idea being emphasized is to mend things that have been broken. We are meant to be fitly joined together as one. There are three ways that we can do this.

1. To Have The Same Mind

We are meant to have the same mindset in all that we do. This can come about when our minds are focused on the Lord and His truth.

2. To Have The Same Judgment

Our reasoning should be based on the wisdom of God and not on the wisdom of the world. When we decide on matters, let’s seek to have the same judgment.

3. To Speak The Same Things

Let’s learn to speak the same truths from the Scriptures. Let’s not speak anything other than that which is based on truth. Let’s be united in what we speak to others.

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