Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3
I have been thinking a lot lately on this subject, especially since returning from the Tulsa Workshop. For decades many Churches of Christ have distanced themselves from denominations. Arguing over doctrine. Some have decided that we should not associate with those who don't believe the exact same thing.
A movement has begun (not necassarily recently) to unite with other believers for the cause of the Cross. My opinion? IT'S ABOUT TIME. Why have we waited so long to open up our eyes to see that just because someone says "I go to a Baptist Church" that they are not as "saved" as we are? Where do we get this from? Would Jesus be pleased with the separation that exists between believers? We too often become so consumed in being right that we don't stop to think that "We don't have to agree on everything".
Growing up in Mississippi I know first hand what it is like to grow up around ultra-conservitive Churches of Christ. Praise God that the Old Aberdeen Road Church which I grew up in is ready to move forward and be Christ, not Dictator, to the community. I am fed up with feeling like we should do things to please other Churches of Christ, lest they say negative things about us. It's time to look to what God wants, what his will is.
In fact, in the end, it's really not about Churches of Christ, Baptist, Methodist, Pentacostal, etc. It's about Jesus Christ. It's about glorifying him. It's about sharing him and being him to others around us. It's about believers in Jesus Christ working together to win souls and impact a community of people in desperate need of Christ.
How should we live? I'm sorry, but I don't equate freedom in Christ with fear of other churches. I pray that a movement can take place in West Point, MS where believers of every race and denomination can work together for the greater good, to the Glory of God the Father.
I am going to work at getting all/as many of the youth ministers in West Point together that I can to gather together to eat breakfast once a month. To share, fellowship, and plan how we can impact the youth of this community as one. Please pray for this that it all comes together and that God would bless it.
I really believe God can do great things once we tear down the walls that separate us and start loving and fellowhip with all. I believe he would be greatly pleased with that. Praise God for unity
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
That is a very worthy goal and I wish you every success in your endeavor in West Point, MS. It sounds as if you have just stepped off the road to Emmaus with our Lord and your heart is on fire, don't lose it. I to believe that someday we will come together mostly as one. I realize I'm coming in a little later as this is the 17th and I hope don't mind my commenting as I accidentally stumbled into your blog. I had actually meant to hit another link and ended up hitting next blog on the bar.
May God Richly Bless You
Post a Comment