Not Fighting, But United in Jesus

"But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God." (1 Corinthians 11: 16)

Paul was writing to the Corinthian church about abnormal habits which had crept into the churches. Men were covering their heads, while women were uncovering their hands and letting the glory of their long hair have precedence.

Paul made clear his instructions about proper behavior, and refused to argue.

To this day, however, Christians want to argue about how to dress, what to wear, and deeper issues like the definition of marriage, the value of life, and the fullness of Christ' Work at the Cross.

Paul responded to these insistent arguments: "We have no such custom."

In other words: this is how it is.

The Truth of God's Word is not subject to debate.

Either we believe Him, or we don't.

Jesus declared the one work which He called us to do:

"Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." (John 6: 29)

What Jesus did at the Cross is not subject to debate, but rather to submission and revelation.

Paul defined maturity in the Body of Christ based on unity in Christ:

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; " (Ephesians 4: 13-14)

Unity is all about Jesus. We glorify Him, because He has glorified us, and in Him is all glory.

We are no longer interest in winning an argument, because we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37). We are no longer trying to prove ourselves right, because He has made us the righteousness of God in Himself (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

Instead of disputing over minor conflicts, we let the Word of God testify, and then proclaim Christ and Him crucified:

"10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." (1 Corinthians 1: 10)

followed by

"17For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." (1 Corinthians 1: 17)