Bible reading for 40.Day 2026 | 1 Corinthians 10:16-17

This is what most churches nowadays use: Pre-packaged bread and wine. More practical, more hygienic.

The thing is, with this, we no longer have to actually break the bread before we partake.

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.

I was too young then, so I could only watch, but I still remember that corporate breaking of bread.

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’s broken body that compels us to be one, unbroken body of Christ.

As it says in 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “The 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.”

We are one bread. We are one body.

We know this in theory. But is it always so in practice?

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.

I’m sure we do. But the true test of true love, the true test of true oneness is not in loving the lovable. That’s easy! That requires no obedience nor surrender. No – the true test of love is when we have to love the unlovable.

When we have to get along with those we disagree with. When we have to overlook offence.

So here’s my contribution to what it means for the church to be united: We need to be a church of no offences.

This requires two things:

1. No offence given. 

We must do whatever we can to avoid offending one another.

Now, there is one offence Christians cannot avoid – what is known in Galatians 5:11 as “the offence of the Cross”. 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’s way of thinking.

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).

We are called to:

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

We must do whatever it takes to ensure that there is no wedge that comes between us. No offence given.

2. No offence taken. 

We must not be so easily offended.

It is our glory to overlook an offence (Proverbs 19:11).

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

Offence is a crack that becomes a chasm, a spark that grows into a destructive fire that could burn the house down.

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. 

C stands for CHARITY

We have a lot of charity for ourselves. When things don’t 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. 

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’re having a bad day. Maybe they’ve been hurt too, and what they need is not hate, but healing.

Like Jesus said on the Cross: “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Charity.

L stands for LAUGHTER

I’ve found most looming wars can be avoided with a ready smile and a hearty laugh. We have to be quick to de-escalate. Don’t 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. 

E is for a listening EAR

The tongue is a raging fire, a world of evil (James 3:6). 

Instead, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19). 

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. 

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

A is to APOLOGISE

“Sorry” is free to say, but it brings great reward. Even if you aren’t the main cause of a dispute, we tend to contribute to it – perhaps in the way we retaliate, perhaps in our refusal to listen. That’s worth an apology. If nothing else, there’s always: “I’m sorry you’re so upset”.

An apology thaws the ice, to pave the way to an end of a Cold War. Which allows us to finally achieve R:

RECONCILIATION

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.

Like Paul did with Barnabas and John Mark, Christians must strive for reconciliation.

So C.L.E.A.R the air, with Charity, Laughter, a listening Ear, a humble Apology – all towards Reconciliation. No offences – no offence given, no offence taken. 

We are one Kingdom, under one King. “For we, being many, are one bread and one body.” (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 – a united church – is a powerful witness of the love of God.

Let us pray.

Father God, You call us to be one: One body, one church, one faith, one baptism, under one Lord. We repent for all the times that we have not been one. Too often, we have chosen offence and division. 

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. For Your glory, we surrender all. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Reflect:

1. How can we be mindful not to offend others, to do everything we can to be at peace with one another?

2. How can we determine not to be offended by others?

3. What attitudes do we need to get rid of in order to live a life of no offences?

Pray:

1. That we will commit to a life of no offences – not offending others and not letting ourselves be offended.

2. That we will be quick to C.L.E.A.R the air: Charity, Laughter, a listening Ear, a humble Apology – all towards Reconciliation.

3. That we will be Christians who choose unity, that we will show grace to one another just as the Lord has shown us grace.

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