My sleep was disturbed last night by the sermon I preached yesterday morning. In that sermon, I drew lines between differing expressions of the Christian Church. In my dream, I was spouting off the “misunderstandings” which have misguided so many of Jesus’ followers. On the faces of my conversation partners (strangers to me) there developed a look of bewilderment. It isn’t those who remain close by who are harmed by our tirades, but those for whom this may be our only encounter.

This morning, as I turned to my lectionary readings, I was directed to I Corinthians 1:1-19. Here, Paul writes, “It has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is much quarreling among you… each one of you says, ‘I belong to Paul,’ …. or ‘I belong to (Peter),’ or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”

Martin Luther wrote similar words: “I ask that my name should not be mentioned and that we should not be called Lutherans but Christians. I was not crucified for anyone. … How did it come about that I poor, stinking bag of maggots should have the children of God called by my miserable name?”

We can split hairs and we can refine our theological thoughts, but we must never, ever allow ourselves to separate ourselves from the body of Christ. We are Christians; we are followers of Christ. We may find differing aspects of Christ’s teachings to emphasize, but we remain united in our one baptism into our one Lord.

Not all who heard my words yesterday will read my thoughts this morning. In my confession, I am reminded of the wisdom of James. The tongue is a wagging fire that sets many ablaze. I will stand by the content of yesterday’s sermon. But God has certainly helped me to reconsider the method of delivery.

I am hoping for a more restful afternoon nap.