Devotional - 1/18/2026

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”   - 1 Corinthians 1:10

This verse is a challenging one, maybe even more challenging today. Division shows up everywhere, even among people who genuinely love Jesus. And that’s exactly why Paul speaks so plainly in 1 Corinthians.

When Paul says, “that there be no division among you,” that phrase stands out to me.  I think about a real situation many of us have faced. Imagine two close friends, both Christians, both serious about their faith, talking about how we should treat people who don’t follow Scripture. One friend says, “We have to be firm. If we soften the truth, we’re compromising.” The other says, “Yes, truth matters, but if we lead with judgment instead of love, we push people farther away.”

Neither friend is trying to reject Scripture. Neither is trying to be unfaithful. They just see the application differently.  That’s where division can sneak in.

Paul isn’t saying we should abandon truth or pretend differences don’t exist. He’s saying those differences shouldn’t fracture the body of Christ. Agreeing with one another doesn’t mean agreeing on every method or response. It means agreeing on the foundation of who Jesus is and what He has taught us.

Jesus held truth and grace together. He didn’t ignore sin, but He also didn’t withhold love. When that shared belief stays at the center, friends can disagree without becoming enemies. Conversations can stay open instead of turning into walls. Unity doesn’t require sameness. It requires humility.

Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians, and to us, is to remember that our witness matters. How we treat one another, especially when we disagree, says a lot about what we really believe about Christ.

The question isn’t, “Who’s right?”

It’s, “Are we still walking together?”

Lord, help us hold tightly to Your truth and just as tightly to Your love. When we disagree, keep us rooted in humility and grace. Guard our hearts from division and teach us to reflect Christ in how we treat both one another and those who are still finding their way to You. In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.