In the United States, particularly in the south, many times we are defined by whether or not we go to church, and what kind of church we attend. Each church has certain reputations and stories attatched to it. "Did you hear so and so joined such and such a church?" "Oh yes, you know that's one of those charismatic churches right?" Or how bout Baptists don't dance...we've all heard that one. So many people in the south are now defined by their denominations. A friend and I were discussing this matter today, and it made me think of what I have been studying in my morning Bible reading. In 1 Corinthians Paul is writing to the Corinthians about some problems they had been having in the church. One of the problems was bragging and arguing about who they were of.

1 Corinthians 1: 10-13
¹⁰ Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. ¹¹ For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you. ¹² Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” ¹³ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

How is this any different from believers arguing about denominations? There is one way to be saved and that is through grace by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in the power of His resurrection. If you believe in Christ, you are of Christ! Everyone who is of Christ belong to the body of Christ. Paul is speaking to believers in this passage. He is not talking to a specific denomination. He isn't speaking to the ones whom he baptized. He is speaking to Corinthians who had turned from their sins and believed in the power name of Christ. Over and over again we are told to be unified with other believers. How are we as believers trying to mend broken relationships and bridge the denominational gap in order to be Biblically unified with believers? Are we even trying to do that? Do we honestly realize it isn't the name on the sign outside your church that defines who you are or what you believe? Our standard should be the Word of God. Our measuring stick is the life of Jesus Christ! Any judgement we pass ought to be at the revealing of the Holy Spirit, not by our own standards. (1 Corinthians 4)

Now don't get me wrong, I attend a church with a denomination. I am a member of 38th Avenue Baptist Church. I believed God wanted me to serve and grow at this church, and I have. I do not think denominations in and of themselves are evil or wrong. I do, however, believe we have put far too much weight on the name of the church instead of what is preached there and where God is calling us to serve.

So fellow believers, let's bridge this gap and learn to love with the love of Christ. Andfollow and obey God about what church we are to serve him in. Oh, and then let's actually serve God and grow spiritually. Lost people need to see Christians shining the light of Christ both to fellow believers and to the rest of the world. If we can't even show love to each other, why should a lost world believe we will show honest love to them? Let's shine the light of Christ, and let the Holy Spirit flow from us.

Tis The Season?

I've been very interested in seeing how Christmas this year would play out. Why? Chrstmas day falls on Sunday. Here in the Bible Belt I knew it would be particularly interesting. I would assume that most people in this area would at the very least claim to be a Chrstian, regardless of specific denomination. So out of these professed Christians, how many are going to church on Sunday? How many of those of us who believe that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin; who claim that He lived a sinless life so that He could die for he world, who was a part of a prophetic plan that was in place from the beginning by an all-loving all-knowing God and Creator of the universe, will put aside our materialistic traditions to go to church to worship our Lord? How many of us will wait to open gifts until after church so that we can teach our children, our families and our friends that Jesus is our Lord, and a holiday that has been immensely commercialized will not keep us from falling on our knees to give thanks and praise? Ladies and gentlemen, is Jesus really the reason for the season? Or will we, the ones who profess Christ as our Savior, show the world that tradition and materialistic things are more important?