How do we introduce ourselves and our faith to others?
Are we Christians?
Or are we Lutheran?
Reformed?
Baptist?
Catholic?
We tend to hold to our denominations like a home team in sports.
And like in sports, we glory in the strength of other men we have chosen to align ourselves with.
Our denomination is not a team, in competition with all the others.
Now I believe we should strive for truth- to align ourselves with a body of believers we feel is exemplifying the Christian life, in love, action and in teaching. In life and theology.
But when we cling to our own understanding as opposed to one another in Christian love we have a problem.
When we look so hard to find the perfect church, we are trying to find heaven on earth. To attach ourselves to the sanctification of others in order to separate ourselves from the “lesser” Christian. To gain acceptance by our associations rather than the cleansing blood of Christ.
Now we are all responsible for where we raise our families, but we also do not get to choose wether or not to place ourselves under authority.
We are already under the authority of the leaders of the church wether we choose to recognize it or not. And when you are trying to find that “right” church that will help you raise your children correctly- make sure you are not raising them to believe they are too good to worship along someone who is worshiping Christ Jesus- Even if they disagree with you about baptism. Or communion. Or musical instruments.
By all means condemn lies. Call out heresies. Challenge wrong thinking. But with the ultimate love of valuing another creatures soul. In the manner that possesses the fruit of the spirit, and the humility of a man or woman who is learning, growing, and who does not possess the mind of God. Who can only look at the words of truth with helplessly dim and twisted minds.
And Christian, do not ever, ever add gates to the already narrow path of Christianity.
When we treat our fellow lover of Christ, our brothers, as the enemy, as False Teachers, are we not Pharisees? How then can we claim Christ’s love?
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This verse should not cause us to go brain dead. It should not be looked at as overused and simple. As an unconverted, simpleton’s get out of jail ticket. As excuse based theology for living an unchallenged life.
This verse is the crux of all we believe. It is the promise of the Gospel. This one verse is packed with more beauty and more grace than so many snarky Internet articles, trying to reason people to God.
It is the Word of God. The Promise of God. Something we need to look back to, every time we want to doubt the soul of someone who seems a little too liberal, or a little too legalistic, in their practices and understanding.
God’s charge to us has been to love one another. How often have we completely disregarded that charge, given up our birthright to a Christian family, in order to cling instead to our own understanding? To align ourselves not with a Heavenly Father who is so much greater than our understanding, but to our team? The team with rules we’ve fully hammered out and agreed to?
Surely we are sad creatures, following in the footsteps of our first parents, getting distracted from our walks with God to chase down the fruit of knowledge, desiring wisdom, and not willing to step further until we unlock and understand all that God knows.
We know not the fullness, and wonder of God. We cannot fathom someone fully good, who created space, time, and souls, and delights in His creation of hummingbird wings.
So let us join together in worshiping Christ. In our limited, and veil covered understanding, holding one another close as we draw near to our beloved Father.