1 Corinthians 1:10 is a profound reminder of one of the single greatest weapons we have access to in our life: UNITY. You see, it was such an important issue, it was the subject of one of Jesus’ last prayers, that we would be “one in thought and mind.” Some commentaries suggest this was doctrinal unity, and while this may be true, I believe there is more depth to this recognized need Jesus prayed over. If we are to ever discover unity, it must first be found within our own selves.
Not with ourselves, but within ourselves. We are conditioned to be connected, and there’s nothing wrong with being connected. We are conditioned to be busy, and there’s nothing wrong with being busy. Our issue is we have lost the vision of unity and oneness Jesus recognized as being one of the greatest needs of our existence. Look around you; we’re being pulled apart from every direction, by so many distractors, every minute of every day. There is significant power in unity. We should first seek to be one with the Father, and this can be done by knowing His love.
The power of one isn’t found in constant strife, but in complete surrender to Him. If you want to change your marriage, don’t focus on improving your spouse; focus on improving you, through total and complete surrender. We’re never taught how to love ourselves, and a religious culture will tell you that is “new age” or “garbage.” But, we cannot truly love others until we:
- Know the love of God in a real, powerful, living way
- Experience that love in our lives
- Learn to love ourselves as HE loves us
- Demonstrate that love for others
- See our marriages as a reflection of love demonstrated by the Father
If you want to change your marriage, step one is not your spouse, but YOU. What negative element (s) are present in your marriage today? Resentment? Identify when it first showed up, what caused it, why it exists. Is it a communication issue? Maybe it means it is time to slow down and reconnect and become intentional about communicating with each other instead of being passive.
Are we constantly focused on the negative in our marriages or are we intentionally grateful for the goodness of God demonstrated to us in our lives? Drama thrives because we tolerate it. Communication issues thrive because we are lazy and not intentional. Nobody else is going to make your marriage a priority but YOU, and it is time YOU made that commitment, became absurdly intentional about communicating, loving, and thriving together.
Turn off the auto-pilot mode, get involved, dig deep, start the work. It all revolves around a Christ-centered life and marriage. If He’s not the priority and center of it all, you’re building a house of cards, a house on sand, and it will crumble. Know His love. Accept His love. Experience His love. Demonstrate His love.
1 Corinthians 1:10
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.
