Scripture
10I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12Some of you are saying, “I am a follower of Paul.” Others are saying, “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Peter, or “I follow only Christ.” 13Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 1 Corinthians 1:10-13
Observation
Right now there are many households throughout America, like Chloe’s mentioned above, are divided over different names for different reasons on the ballot. Like the Church in Corinth we all have our convincing arguments and there’s no way there is any other way to look at it. Back in Paul’s day it was Apollos or Paul. In our day it might be De Santis or Trump. But, Paul’s point back then is a needful reminder on this day of Midterms 2022. Yes, we must vote, and vote Biblically, but if there is any other name on our lips for the hope of this nation then we will find ourselves divided rather than united as the people of God. Then our Gospel of Jesus Christ becomes at the least, diluted, and at the worst perverted into something that has very little to with a personal relationship with Jesus and very much to do with our personal persuasions and proclivities. It’s quite telling that before Paul even brings up the division in the church he focuses completely on Jesus. In the first 10 verses of this letter Paul refers to Jesus in every verse for a total of 11 times. When we take our eyes of the centrality of Jesus we will end following someone else as the source of our hope. Yet, there is no other leader on earth who can promise to “keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns.” (1 Cor. 1:8).
Application
God isn’t looking for my vote. He’s looking for my heart. God isn’t looking for my endorsement. He’s looking for my involvement. It’s what Paul describes as an invitation to “partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1 Cor. 1:9). There’s no room for passivity here. There’s no excuse to “just keep politics out of The Church.” When Paul commends the Corinthians as they “eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ”, he is reminding them, and us, of the Kingdom coming on earth as it is in Heaven. This is how we are taught to pray by Jesus Himself and that is a very political prayer. We just have to remember what Name we are voting for both when we are in the ballot box and every moment outside of it. What Name, that reigns over every other name, is directing our votes, our actions, our treatment of those who vote or believe differently? When I woke up this morning I prayed and gave God this day, prayed for the election, having already voted and then promptly went to the news. Yes, I went to the news before going to God’s word. So, naturally, when I sat down to read God’s Word for today after feeding myself on the latest political polls and hearing the latest pundits I was convicted big time. As Nathan Finochio says, “The Kingdom of God is not spread by governments or political parties. Nobody will be converted as a result of legislation. The government is not my hope… Christians have historically and should continue to involve themselves in politics because Christians know better than anyone on the planet what causes humans to flourish.” His Name is Jesus. He is the hope of the world. He is coming back soon! This urgency should keep is focused on what matters most in the time we’ve been given. For all of the problems the Corinthian church had, and they were many, they were eagerly waiting for Christ’s return.
Prayer
Today, as I eagerly wait for the voting returns to tell me who will control congress I’m reminded afresh of who is ultimately in control. It’s You Lord. I vote for what matters most with where I direct my attention. What has my attention has my affection. I vote with my feet, my hands, my heart, my words, my time to place You as King over every area of my life. I don’t want to get caught up in being known for any other name, but the One Name that saves. I repent for letting my heart get divided and defensive and hardened towards others. No matter who wins the seats today, I invite You to be on the throne of my heart and the leader of my life.
21So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22whether Paul or Apollos or Peter,3:22 Greek Cephas. or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (1 Cor. 3:21-23)
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