2. Gospel: I beg … let there be no schism

 WESLEY:

Let us begin with the first verse, wherein St. Paul makes use of the word. It is in 1 Cor. 1:10. The Words are, "I beseech you, brethren, by the name of the Lord Jesus, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no schisms" ( the original word is schismata) "among you." Can anything be more plain than that the schisms here spoken of, were not separations from, but divisions in, the Church of Corinth? Accordingly, it follows, "But that you be perfectly united together, in the same mind and in the same judgment." You see here, that an union in mind and judgment was the direct opposite to the Corinthian schism. This, consequently, was not a separation from the Church or Christian society at Corinth' but a separation in the Church; a disunion in mind and judgment, (perhaps also affection,) among those who, notwithstanding this, continued outwardly united as before.

PRAYER:

Matthew 5:48 (MSG) : “In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

REFLECTION:

Wesley does not mince words to direct us to be  “perfectly united”; this is a tall order.   To be perfect in Christ is to be complete and to understand that the question of disaffiliation is NOT a dilemma at all – if we understand the “ultimate will of God”.

Jesus did not go to the cross thinking of disaffiliation, ie. "separate in" humanities sins, but in fulfillment of being perfectly unified with his Father, the Word and all of God's children.   Jesus spoke clearly, let me show you “perfect unity”.  Unity that brings glory to the Father. For all the sins of all my brothers and sisters, each having a different views, Jesus went to the cross, Jesus, sacrifice himself so that ALL may be forgiven - across ALL views.  Perfect unity brings a clarity that is so bright that all our souls are in perfect peace with our diverse richness - enabling each of us to “live out their own God-created identity”.

Perfect unity is not about living in a world of homogeneous views.  But in a world of rich diverse views - all sharing each other’s identity in perfect peace and in a graceful community - in Christ.

NEXT: 3. Gospel: Diverse views is the nature of every community