God Thoughts February 19th

God Thoughts February 19

Memorize: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your love

for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. Philemon 4,5

Read 1 Corinthians 1:4-9 * highlight the word fellowship.

How many Christian denominations are there?  I have heard the

number 33,000 and even 50,000 plus.  Today'a passage makes

clear there is only one fellowship, one Koinonia, and one Church.

Verse 9, God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship

with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

What follows is a rebuke by Paul: "be no divisions among you,

but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought."  Verse

10.  Here is what the :(Tyndale. Life Application Study Bible NIV

(Kindle Locations 196425-196426). Tyndale House Publishers,

Inc.. Kindle Edition. states)  Like a frustrated coach watching

his team bicker on the court, Paul called for a time-out.  He saw

the danger of divisions and arguments. The Corinthian believers’

lack of unity was obvious. They may have been playing in the

same “uniform,” but they were doing as much as the opposition

to bring about their own defeat. The problems weren’t so much

differences of opinion as divided allegiances. They were arguing

over which position on the team was most important in a way

that made them ineffective as a unit. They were on the field, but

out of the game.     Divisions between Christians work like brick

walls and barbed-wire fences to undermine the effectiveness of

the message that believers are to proclaim. Focus on your coach,

Jesus Christ, and the purpose he has for you. Strive for harmony.

Keep arguments about allegiances off the team."

I would go further; our fellowship, our Koinonia, the churches

One foundation is with Christ-not Man! Unity only happens when

we grow close to Jesus and His teachings in Spirit and Truth.  No

matter what the sign out front says, you are only in the fellowship

of the Lord, if you obey Him!

Prayer: 

Heavenly Father, I give thanks for the unmerited favor expressed in

Jesus.  By the Indwelling of Your Holy Spirit, we lack nothing as

we wait faithfully for Jesus return.  May we keep our eyes fully

on Jesus, and the partnership we have in Him.  Amen