Separation of The Church!
Friday's Devotion (7-25-03)
"For as many of you as have
been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek,
there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all
one in Christ Jesus." Galations 3:27-28 (KJV)
This is something,
I've been wanting to get off my chest for a while. We have all these different
divisions of Christianity. But what are these divisions doing? Nothing, but
dividing the Church (The body of Christ). We have Baptist, penecostal and
whatever else there is, but these titles mean nothing. We are one in Christ! I
don't go by a denomination, because I don't agree with them. Some people believe
John, in the New Testament, was of the denomination, "Baptist" because they
called him, "John The Baptist." However they called him the Baptist, because he
baptized people, not because he was in a denomination. If you ask me what
denomination I'm in, I'll say, "I don't have one! I am a part of the body of
Christ!" I think we need to stop separating the Church (The body of Christ).
Let's say someone is a denomination that you're not and you heard that they were
off the wall. Just because you heard that denomination was off, doesn't mean
that person of that denomination is off. So, you meet this person and find out
their denomination and then you don't talk to them anymore. You're already
rebuking your own brother or sister in the Lord, without giving them a chance.
All because they have some silly denomination title slapped on them. God, forbid
that the body of Christ, war against its own self like that! These denominations
are like gangs. If you're not in the same one, as someone else you're not
welcome or you're automatically off the wall! When I'm asked what my beliefs are
I tell people, "I believe what's written, in the Bible!" What better way to
explain? I don't care what denomination you are, everyone is welcome! As long as
you don't speak against the Bible's teachings or twist it I'm alright with that.
Maybe I'm a little extreme, but I don't see any unity in the body with all these
different denominations. Some people say, "If you're not of this denomination or
if you're in this one, you're not saved!" That's a lie! It matters where your
heart is with the Lord! Some people will be surprised if they knew this: A lot
of Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals and any other people of any denomination
will be saved! Being in a certain denomination will not save you, but a personal
relationship with Jesus, will! My mother claims to be Baptist, but she doesn't
follow the Lord. That title isn't going to save her! What will is a personal
relationship with Christ! That's it! Let's pray.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I know my denomination will not save me! I know
the only thing that will save me is a relationship with your Son. So, I'm asking
for that personal relationship right now and I'm asking to become really close
with you and your Son and to be filled in the Holy Spirit. I ask you to forgive
me of all my sins and I forgive those who've wronged me. In Jesus, name. A-men!
Note: The denominations, mentioned in today's message are just used for an
example. This message is not a message of hate against any denomination, but one
of love and unity to all!
God bless!
Hope you enjoyed. Please post your thoughts on this topic, on the
message
board.