Yesterday was an interesting day for America. It was the seventh anniversary of the greatest terrorist attack on this country we have ever seen. It was the initiation of our "war of terror". I could not help but remember how united the U. S. was in the ensuing days and weeks after the attack. But then the unity began to fade and different perspectives were espoused and soon the unity was gone and the inner conflict began again for the U.S..
Sounds kinda like what happened to the early Church. At first there was amazing unity to the extent that the early Christians sold what they had, gave to the poor, or share what they had with one another. But then, as time passed, there came divisions and schisms and factions that broke that unity and the body became divided. The body remains divided unto this day with "petty" doctrines that theologians cling to at the expense of the "oneness" Christ prayed for. There are five basic doctrines of the Christian faith that should united us all as believers regardless of our denominational preference or doctrinal bias: 1. Our commitment to the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. 2. The virgin birth of Jesus who was conceived of the Holy Spirit. 3. The sacrificial and substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. 4. The Physical, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 5. The physical, bodily coming again of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These are the basic tenants of the Christian Faith that should unite all believers, regardless of race, culture, country, or church affiliation. Truth should unite us and love should keep us that way.
PRAYER: Father, teach us that keeping the main thing the main thing is the main thing. Jesus said, "all men shall know that you are my disciples if you LOVE one another. NO love - NO discipleship. In a day when many are being attacked physically, and all are being attacked ideologically, help us to stand as ONE for the FAITH (body of truth) that was once for all delivered to the saints.
1 comment:
glad you are still blogging!! Hard to believe it has been 7 years!! Love you!
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