One Body
"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach: If
it is encouraging let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."
Romans 12: 5-8
Do you ever think is your "denomination" the right one? Do you ever wonder why some churches emphasize certain things that others sometime seem not too? A lot of times I see Christians caught up in the differences of beliefs rather than on their similarities. You see God does not look down from his golden throne and bless the Nazarene because their beliefs are better than that of the Pentecostals. God blesses all those who take refuge in him. (Psalms 2:12)
In the 5th chapter of Ephesians verse 23 it tells us that Christ is the head of the Church. Not the pope, not Billy Graham, but Christ. You see the reason we have different denominations is explained to us in 1Corinthians 14:34. It says "What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church." You see people choose different denominations because they agree with certain aspects of that denominations beliefs therefore if they believe it is the right one they can be strong in it. For you must believe in something to be strong in it. But these controversial differences should not be our main focus for everything is encompassed by his love for his family. His love is where our focus should be. (For he gave the right to those who believe in his name to become children of God. John 1:12) Not just those who believe in the speaking of tongues, sprinkling of water for baptism, or once saved always saved. It is for all who believe in him and choose to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
In Matthew 16:18 Jesus says "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." He is talking about our belief in him revealed to us through his father as being the rock. These words do not discriminate or segregate they are for both you and me. God allows us to interpret certain things in the bible differently, but their are certain things that just do not need interpretation. A few examples of these are salvation, his love, holiness, and forgiveness These steadfast aspects of Christianity are what make up the Church or body of Christ that my Jesus sees when he looks down at us from his throne.
No matter what your beliefs are there is only one true manual for the church. That is God's Holy Word. To me being a Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Nazarene, or Catholic means that you are my sister or brother in Christ and that one day all together we will be lead through the promise land. If you have a personal relationship with Christ and seek him with all your heart giving back to the Church (body of Christ) what he has given you then you are doing God's will.
Seek him with all your heart and as a church let us show the world together that we are different and that our God is real and he wants everyone to be apart of this Great army, body, or church. Whatever you want to call it does not matter because the truth of it is that we our all one in Christ Jesus. Praise the Lord I will see you again one day in the place of eternal JOY.
<'\\\\\>< Inside-Out Ministries,
His humble servant,
James Laker