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 judgement. — I Corinthians 1:10

Harmony. Gk harmonia, “joint, agreement, concord.”

I imagine that most of us have been in a meeting where debates, arguments and personal opinions get so heated that you just want to stand up and scream, “Can’t we all just get along?”. Apparently, Paul had the same trouble with the church in Corinth! Corinth had become a very ethnically and culturally diverse city, with Greeks, Romans, merchants, travelling tradesmen, visitors, pagan idol worshippers, Jews and new believers all trying to live together and get along. The new Christian congregation was finding it difficult to remain faithful to Christ and keep their focus on His Word.

It is the same for us today. We let our selfish desires and agendas get in the way of peaceful relationships and end up quarrelling and resentful when we don’t get our own way… not what God intends for us. I love the Greek word for ‘fellowship’: koinonia. It means “Sharing… Participation in a common thing”. ‘Koinonia’ was the name of my parents’ church fellowship group many years ago, and though I loved how the word sounded, I never really appreciated the deep meaning of the word. True Christian fellowship is more than just tolerating someone. It is actively loving, listening and forgiving our fellow believers. We will never be free of our sinful, selfish thoughts and deeds, but God has equipped all of us with the spiritual gifts necessary to encourage and strengthen one another in our battles against selfishness, to “be united in the same mind and the same judgement”. God empowers us, you and me, through His word and work of the Holy Spirit, to boldly profess the faith He has given us and to continue to strive toward our eternal fellowship together in heaven with God , our Father, Friend and Redeemer.

Heavenly Father, Help me to set aside my selfish desires and agendas to see instead the needs of those around me. Through Your word, direct our ways, that we may live harmoniously as believers in Christ. Amen.

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. — Matthew 5:23-24

The Jews of Jesus’ time offered gifts at the altar acknowledging the Lord’s redeeming work on their behalf both in the past (e.g. the exodus from Egypt) and yet to come (e.g. the promised Messiah). God’s Law outlined which gifts one ought to offer on which occasions, and so forth. Today, as we acknowledge the Lord’s redeeming work on our behalf, we are also inspired to offer gifts of thanksgiving, time, talents, and good deeds that benefit others.

In this passage, Christ is rather insistent that the good work God most desires of us is to seek reconciliation and forgiveness with and from one another.

Why?

Forgiveness and reconciliation of His people to Himself were God’s top priorities in sending Christ, our Saviour. Christ fed, taught, healed and restored the dead to life – all fabulous works which truly reflect the nature of our compassionate Lord. However, His ultimate offering of obedience to God was His death on the cross to forgive our sins and reconcile us to the Father.

So where does that leave us when our Christian brother (or sister) may have a grievance against us? We can praise our Lord for His reconciliation of us to Himself through His gift of forgiveness . We can put that offering (of good work, thanksgiving, or what-have-you) on the back burner and boldly, humbly, honestly go to seek reconciliation with that brother or sister. And, if we are the ones who have a grievance against the other, then we can boldly, humbly, faithfully reflect the forgiveness of Christ. For it is Jesus’ offering which forgives, and reconciles us and our brothers and sisters to Himself and to one another.

We pray: Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Amen.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. — Acts 2:42

If any Christian should actually pick up the Bible because they needed an instruction, this would be a good page, chapter and verse to open. Though Scripture was not primarily given as a revelation of rules, it can give some pretty good advice. To put this verse in my own words, men and women who believe in Christ, having heeded Peter’s warnings, have decided to devote their lives to Him, on account of also hearing of God’s grace. Jesus came teaching and preaching and not just from a distance. He went into the tax collectors’ homes. They also kept bad company. But He still ate with them. Jesus made Himself unclean so that they could become clean.

But this breaking of bread hints probably more to the fact that Jesus had instituted a special meal now called ‘Communion’ or ‘The Lord’s Supper’ or the Eucharist’. It goes hand in hand with prayer. These two together cry out ‘means of grace’. God’s Word and sacraments are given to believers to remember Christ’s teaching. In doing so together, believers congregate in fellowship. To this end we are all devoted as Christians. Why?

Because we are filled with awe at the many wonders and signs of Christ, starting first and foremost with Salvation! And His apostles were also given gifts with which to build on top of the cornerstone; Christ. They were building the Church. This is how important the church is today.

Anyone who says they can worship God outside of the Church insults this remembrance. Anyone who says they will ‘have a rest from Church next week’, insults this remembrance. Anyone who wants to come to Church, in the long term, to simply enjoy it, with no intention of attending Catechism Classes, insults this remembrance. Anyone who comes to a Church community, only to fraternise with others socially, insults this remembrance.

Whereas those who invite friends into their homes, and tell them the good news of Jesus and invite them to Church to worship Christ, honour this remembrance. Anyone who loves their neighbour to the point of curiosity and brings them to Christ because of their love, honours this remembrance. Anyone who inspires another, on account of the Gospel of Christ, to come and be Baptised, honours this remembrance. Anyone who gives the Holy Spirit the chance to work in another’s heart, by showing them the true rule of faith in Christ Jesus, honours this remembrance. Anyone who cannot help but come to Jesus every Sunday, for the love of God, with a repentant heart, to receive His forgiveness, honours this remembrance.

Lord give us the Spirit, to devote our lives, and all that we have, to You. Amen.

For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. — Romans 5:19

A choice Bible verse, perhaps? It is after all, about our choices. We have no choice with Adam and his Original Sin. It is there when we are born. It is mankind’s burden. We may have to live – and die – with it. But do we? There is another way. As Adam condemned us, so Christ reprieves us. Our Heavenly Father forgives us for our sins, He loves us all and the very heavens would ring out with joy if all came to Him. But many – far too many – choose not to. The way and life of a Christian is not always easy, but it is way we have been given.

Heavenly Lord and Risen Saviour, may our steps towards Your open arms be swift and light, we pray to You to help us make the right choices in all that we do to bring glory to Your blessed name. Amen.

Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. — John 6:68

In this passage, many of the disciples are having trouble accepting Jesus’ teaching. Jesus knew from the beginning that some of the disciples did not believe His teaching, and also who would betray Him.

In verse 65 He told them that “no-one can come to Me unless the Father has enabled them.” At this time many of His disciples turned back and did not follow Him. Jesus challenges the Twelve in verse 67 “you do not want to leave too, do you?” In verse 68 Simon Peter asks Jesus “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” He states his belief that “Jesus is the Holy One of God.”

How often do we have trouble accepting Jesus’ teaching? Do we not get tempted to simply walk away? We sometimes forget the wonderful gift that God gave us: His Son Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and gives us eternal life.

This assurance helps us to believe and gives us faith to be able not to leave and walk away and to not betray Him and His salvation. “For Thou, O Lord art good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call on Thee.” (Psalm 86:5).

Lord, today help us to display compassion and forgiveness, help us to remember how God forgives and loves us. Amen

…who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. — Philippians 3:21

Lord Jesus Christ, we pray for a strong faith to keep us steadfast on our journey through this life.

You know our human frailty and weaknesses, and often our lack of trust in You, so we pray for Your love and forgiveness and for You to help us share it with others.

Trusting in Christ, who is omnipotent, we will be transformed at the end of our earthly life and be given the greatest gift, eternal life.

Thanks from my heart I offer,
Thee, Jesus, dearest friend
For all that thou didst suffer,
Thy pity without end;
O grant that I may ever
To thy truth faithful be;
When soul and body sever,
May I be found in Thee.

Amen.

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. — John 8:31-2

Follow God’s teaching, learn the truth,
And the truth will set you free.
This lesson is for everyone,
For folk like you and me.

From Abraham’s descendants,
Right up to modern man
Living in truth, freedom and love
Is God’s almighty plan.

Lord help us to relate to others
The way, the truth, the life
Help us treat men as brothers
Steer us from wrong and strife.

And when at last we meet with You
Upon the Judgement Day
May we all with hand on heart
Say ‘Lord we kept Your way.’

Amen.

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:8-9

Anyone who claims he is without sin, is absolutely perfect, that he is holy as God is holy, must know very little of his own heart. All of us have sinned and come short of the glory of God: every man needs his own Saviour – Jesus Christ who suffered, died and rose again in order that we might be redeemed from our sin.

To say we have no sin is to deceive ourselves. To say we have reached a sinless state in which we no longer need the blood of Christ to cleanse us is a deception. We are just like those small children who, having done something wrong, stand in front of our parents and say: it wasn’t me! In our puerile state of sin we think we can bluff, lie and cajole our way into the favour of our parents, but Our Father has seen all, judges all, and – but for the supreme sacrifice of His Son – condemns us all.

God is faithful to Himself, His Son and His Word. He is just and right in everything He does. He does not require righteousness from us to receive forgiveness; all He requires is the death of Christ on the cross.

Thank You, Lord God, for supplying all that was needed for our forgiveness. Amen.

…not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.– Hebrews 10:25

This is one of those texts that, at some points in our Christian life, seems clear enough. At other times, though, we don’t like what we read: what do you mean, we have to keep meeting together? With this lot? When we don’t feel like it? We’re busy people!

Firstly, notice that the writer is talking about habits: the choices we make without noticing that we’re making them. We’re to break the bad habit of “neglecting to meet together” – and note that the writer is only addressing those who neglect to meet, not those who are prevented from doing so by illness or infirmity – and replace it with the good habit of encouraging our fellow Christians. It’s a question of what is our default setting.

The writer knows this is sometimes hard, which is why he gives a Gospel reason rather than a Law one: to encourage one another. Meeting together is good for us and good for our fellow Christians – even if it doesn’t always feel like it. Anyway, if we don’t feel like we have time, that is just a reminder that the Day is drawing near.

Finally, what are we encouraging each other to do? The writer tells us in the preceding verse: to “stir each other up to love and good works”. Wake up, you sleepers, he says. The Day is coming, and there is stuff to be done.

Father, give us the strength to do the works You have prepared for us, until You return. Amen.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. — 2 Corinthians 5:21

Paul is making a very straight statement of a fact here: Christ – who did not sin – was sent by God for the sole purpose to save us all. Not just some, not just the “good guys” but everyone. All mankind. No ifs or buts. Paul is clearly saying here that Christ came, lived and died to save us from our own sins. He has taken the rap, He’s taken our punishment that should have been meted out to us. Only the Son of God could do this wonderful thing. Paul’s message still sounds out today, as if he were calling to us from a dusty market square as he would have preached his message that so filled him with joy, hope and excitement. Would it not be wonderful if we could do the same?

In the name of our Risen Saviour, we give our praise and thanks for sending Your only Son to die for us. We can only offer ourselves humbly to You, with heads bowed, in gratitude and love. Help us to tell others and to share the message of what You have so freely given, Amen.