Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Corinthians 12:13 (New Living Translation)

Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.

Notice how the writer illustrates the difference between Jews and Gentiles. The writer equates that difference with the difference between slaves and free persons.

The Jew-Gentile divide was no small thing. The joining of the Jews and Gentiles in the early church was no small thing. This illustrate shows how big  a difference it was.

How in the world did the church in Corinth, and other early churches that had both Jews and Gentiles, last more than five minutes? And how in the world can churches in America today use diversity of one sort or another as an excuse for dividing? ooops.

God, help us all in our unbelief. Help us to allow you to help us to overcome our petty differences that we believe are insurmountable.