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by Dennis Wheeler
I believe that one of the things that breaks God's heart today is for Him to see how His 'body' has become so fragmented and divisive.
It seems that so many churches are in their 'holy huddles' spending most of their time, energy and resources defending their stance, justifying their opinions, and judging other Christians...than they do in being obedient to Jesus' command for us to 'GO', make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And then to teach these new disciples to obey all the commands.
How can we take the Good News into the world when we won't even associate with the folks who attend the 'other' church across town?
How can we share God's love if we are snubbing our neighbors who don't believe exactly like we do? I mean, come on, can we actually call them our 'brothers' and 'sisters' in Christ?
Strangely enough - this argument has been around in the Restoration Movement for over 160 years!!
In the book Journey of Faith: A History of the Christian Church, Alexander Campbell was being criticized for fellowshipping with Christians who were not immersed. His response to this argument has become known as the Lunenburg Letter (1837). Here's a portion of that letter...
"Who is a Christian? I answer, anyone that believes in his heart that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah, the Son of God, repents of his sins, and obeys Him in all things according to his measure of knowledge of His will. There is no occasion, then, for making immersion, on a profession of the faith, absolutely essential to a Christian - though it may be greatly essential to his sanctification and comfort. He that hence infers that none are Christians but the immersed, as greatly errs as he who affirms that none are alive but those of clear and full vision."
Now - the intent of 'THE FOCUS' today is not begin a doctrinal debate or argument...but it is my deepest desire to encourage and challenge each of us to embrace others in God's loves and to honor Him and respect Him and serve Him.
It saddens me to overhear Christians arguing and cynically putting down other Christians and denominations...all the while, there are lost souls dying and going to hell.
I really like what Max Lucado said in his book When God Whispers Your Name . . . "Seems to me God gives a lot more grace then we'd imagine. We could the same. I'm not for watering down the Truth or compromising the Gospel. But if a fellow with a pure heart calls God 'Father'...can't I call that same man 'brother'? If God doesn't make doctrinal perfection a requirement for family membership, should I? And if we never agree, can't we agree to disagree? If God can tolerate my mistakes, can't I tolerate the mistakes of others? If God allows me with my foibles and failures to call Him 'Father', shouldn't I extend the same grace to others?"
Oh Holy God...please create in me a clean heart with the express desire to serve You faithfully, to be obedient to You, and to love others . . . regardless if they agree with me or not!!
C'mon CHURCH...let's go into the world and reach out to EVERYONE with love...God's love!!
He serves as the Senior Pastor with southwest Virginia church... a loving church family in Abingdon.
He and his wife Sharon have been married for over 27 years and are the proud parents of two beautiful daughters, one son-in-law, and two precious grandchildren, the second arrived arrived on the scene in September 2004!!
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