{"id":3378,"date":"2026-07-09T00:01:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T16:01:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lovesingapore.org.sg\/?p=3378"},"modified":"2026-07-09T00:14:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T16:14:28","slug":"2026-day-9-together-as-one-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lovesingapore.org.sg\/en\/2026-day-9-together-as-one-church\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 9: Together as One Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

1 Corinthians 10:16-17 <\/cite>\u201cIs not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This is what most churches nowadays use: Pre-packaged bread and wine. More practical, more hygienic.<\/p>\n

The thing is, with this, we no longer have to actually break the bread before we partake.<\/p>\n

But when I was growing up, it used to be a big goblet of wine, passed around from pew to pew, where each member would break a little bit for themselves.<\/p>\n

I was too young then, so I could only watch, but I still remember that corporate breaking of bread.<\/p>\n

There is some linguistic irony in it. As we break the bread, the body of Christ, we remember that it is precisely our Lord Jesus Christ\u2019s broken body that compels us to be one, unbroken body of Christ.<\/p>\n

As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, \u201cThe bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one bread.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

We are one bread. We are one body.<\/p>\n

We know this in theory. But is it always so in practice?<\/p>\n

You might say, of course, we are one. Of course, we love one another. We love our churchmates. We bless our Pastors. We give to charity.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure we do. But the true test of true love, the true test of true oneness is not in loving the lovable. That\u2019s easy! That requires no obedience nor surrender. No \u2013 the true test of love is when we have to love the unlovable.<\/p>\n

When we have to get along with those we disagree with. When we have to overlook offence.<\/p>\n

A house divided cannot stand, but an undivided house \u2013 a united church \u2013 is a powerful witness of the love of God.<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

So here\u2019s my contribution to what it means for the church to be united: We need to be a church of no offences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This requires two things:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. No offence given. We must do whatever we can to avoid offending one another.<\/span><\/h2>\n

We must do whatever we can to avoid offending one another.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now, there is one offence Christians cannot avoid \u2013 what is known in Galatians 5:11 as \u201cthe offence of the Cross\u201d. This speaks about the scandal of grace, that no amount of work cannot save us, only the finished work of Jesus Christ on the Cross. This offends the world\u2019s way of thinking.<\/p>\n

But on every other note, we are called to do whatever we can to be at peace with one another (Romans 12:18). To serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13). To avoid quarrels (Romans 14:1). To bless, not curse, one another (Romans 12:14). To submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21).<\/p>\n

We are called to:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Be at peace with one another (Romans 12:18)<\/li>\n
  • Serve one another humbly in love (Galatians 5:13)<\/li>\n
  • Avoid quarrels (Romans 14:1)<\/li>\n
  • Bless, not curse, one another (Romans 12:14)<\/li>\n
  • Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    We must do whatever it takes to ensure that there is no wedge that comes between us. No offence given.<\/p>\n

    2. No offence taken. We must not be so easily offended.<\/span><\/h2>\n

    We must not be so easily offended.<\/b><\/p>\n

    It is our glory to overlook an offence (Proverbs 19:11).<\/p>\n

    To avoid offence, we must grow in love. Love is not easily angered, and bears no record of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).<\/p>\n

    Offence is a crack that becomes a chasm, a spark that grows into a destructive fire that could burn the house down.<\/p>\n

    We cannot let it grow past the point of no return; to pre-empt offence, we must be quick to C.L.E.A.R. the air.<\/strong><\/p>\n

    C stands for CHARITY.<\/span><\/h2>\n

    We have a lot of charity for ourselves. When things don\u2019t go well, we have no end of ways to justify our actions. But for others, we are quick to pounce on their mistakes. We are quick to judge quickly and harshly.<\/p>\n

    We need to show others the same charity that we show ourselves! If someone says something that triggers rising offence within you, stop and think charitably of them. Maybe they\u2019re having a bad day. Maybe they\u2019ve been hurt too, and what they need is not hate, but healing.<\/p>\n

    Like Jesus said on the Cross: \u201cForgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.<\/em>\u201d (Luke 23:34) Charity.<\/p>\n

    L stands for LAUGHTER.<\/span><\/h2>\n

    I\u2019ve found most looming wars can be avoided with a ready smile and a hearty laugh. We have to be quick to de-escalate. Don\u2019t take the bait of offence! Take a step back, and laugh off the situation. Offer a brotherly hug, an olive branch, a peace offering. Laugh in the face of the evil one who is trying to sow division.<\/p>\n

    E is for a listening EAR.<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The tongue is a raging fire, a world of evil (James 3:6).<\/p>\n

    Instead, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19).<\/p>\n

    So we learn that we must use our ears before our mouths. Listen to one another. Hear out the grievance before you jump to self-defence. Pause before you punch back.<\/p>\n

    I believe when we do so, we take the focus away from our right to feel wronged, and instead learn empathy. Sympathy. Understanding. Love.<\/p>\n

    A is to APOLOGISE.<\/span><\/h2>\n

    \u201cSorry\u201d is free to say, but it brings great reward. Even if you aren\u2019t the main cause of a dispute, we tend to contribute to it \u2013 perhaps in the way we retaliate, perhaps in our refusal to listen. That\u2019s worth an apology. If nothing else, there\u2019s always: \u201cI\u2019m sorry you\u2019re so upset\u201d.<\/p>\n

    An apology thaws the ice, to pave the way to an end of a Cold War.<\/p>\n

    Which allows us to finally achieve R: RECONCILIATION<\/span>.<\/h2>\n

    The key to reconciliation is humility. The willingness to admit we might be wrong. Recognising that others are entitled to their views. Understanding that God hates discord and division, and therefore humbling ourselves to submit to God and to one another.<\/p>\n

    Like Paul did with Barnabas and John Mark, Christians must strive for reconciliation.<\/p>\n

    So C.L.E.A.R. the air, with Charity, Laughter, a listening Ear, a humble Apology \u2013 all towards Reconciliation. No offences \u2013 no offence given, no offence taken.<\/p>\n

    We are one Kingdom, under one King. \u201cFor we, being many, are one bread and one body.<\/em>\u201d (1 Corinthians 10:17) His body was broken so that we may remain one unbroken body. A house divided cannot stand, but an undivided house \u2013 a united church \u2013 is a powerful witness of the love of God.<\/p>\n

    Let us pray.<\/p>\n

    Father God, You call us to be one: One body, one church, one faith, one baptism, under one Lord.<\/em><\/p>\n

    We repent for all the times that we have not been one. Too often, we have chosen offence and division.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Help us as a church to choose unity. Charity. Forgiveness. Just as you have shown us grace, help us now to show grace to one another.<\/em><\/p>\n

    For your glory, we surrender all.<\/em><\/p>\n

    In Jesus\u2019 name we pray, amen.<\/em><\/p>\n

    <\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    1 Corinthians 10:16-17 \u201cIs not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 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