It is amazing what people will fight over. Tragically I have seen families turn on each other over possessions after the death of a loved one. Often times, the property at the center of the conflict is not that great of value from an outsider’s perspective. However, the chaos around the items would make you think they are fighting over a billion dollars. You have probably witnessed such situations before. The conflict escalates and people go years without speaking to each other. The Apostle Paul realizes that such conflict does not just happen among families but it can also happen among the family of God. I have always said that where two or more or gathered, there is bound to be conflict. Paul gives a sure solution to handle such issues.

In 1 Corinthians 6:7, Paul writes “ The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” Like any parent would feel about fights among their children, Paul is devastated by the damage that internal conflict is having in the church at Corinth. He gives a few insights on how they can begin to heal and move on together.

•Division is one of the greatest losses a body can suffer. Division is a greater loss than any dividend you may be losing. If you are getting the thought that Paul is almost unconcerned about the injustice at hand and more concerned about getting people to come together, then you are reading him correctly. Peace is not the absence of trouble. Peace is the result of someone dealing with the trouble in the correct manner.

•Division is a defeat to the Kingdom of God. The only way you will ever embrace Paul’s teaching is if you value what Paul values most. Paul values the testimony of the Church of Jesus. He wants to put an end to division because it misdirects our energy and smears the image that God desires the world to see in His church.

•Division is defeated by sacrifice. Someone somewhere has to take the injury on himself and decide that the injury is not going to be an injunction to the relationship. Jesus modeled this by sacrificing His life so that you and I can be unified with the Father. He took our injury to Him upon Himself and covered it.

Today’s Challenge: God is not asking you to be a doormat. God is asking you to be a door of reconciliation. Understand the danger of division. Realize that any sacrifice you make to reconcile will pale in comparison to the sacrifice God made for you. Pray today that God will use you to bring unity where there has been division, and healing where there has been hurt.