When we speak of Christianity with all its different denominations, interpretations, doctrines and various versions of the Bible it seems there are always times when we run into conflict with other believers.
Each of us as brothers or sisters in Christ seem to want it our way. Our church, our interpretation, our version of the Bible. We each feel that we are right and sometimes feel the need to distance ourselves from those who feel differently.
Have you noticed how religion seems to set the rules to described what it takes to be a ‘good’ Christian? Do this, don’t do that, stay away from this and make sure you participate in that. Attend every service and be active with this group or that group. If you are not reading a particular version of the Bible you are just wasting your time. If you are not part of a church you must be backslidden, at least that is the way some fellow Christians make you feel. Rules, rules, rules.
Maybe it is time we stop arguing over versions, interpretations, doctrines, church attendance and such and start focusing on Christ who is to be our first love. If we can focus on Him and loving others, we should be able to agree to disagree on other topics and accept one another even in our differences.
When we find common ground in our faith in Christ, when we love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, we should be able to look past the differences we have in our various denominations, Bible versions and interpretations.
Let’s stop fighting against each other and begin to love one another as Christ loves us. Do not let the various differences come between the love we can have for one another and the things we can share and learn through fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Those outside of Christianity should be seeing the love we have for God and for one another. There is enough hate and disagreement in our world today. What makes a difference is seeing brotherly love for one another and sharing God’s love with everyone we meet.
Done with Religion 
Thanks for your kind words.
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Jesus set the model for us all! Love God and love others! Good word! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks Jack, good article. I agree on all points. Also agree on the subject of women. I follow Elle also, enjoy her writing.
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One of my house church advocate friends said if the body is operating organically, as intended, it’s difficult to tell who the pastor(s) (shepherds) are since they don’t preach, lead, etc., as in institutional/denominational churches, but instead, simply come alongside believers to encourage them and lift them up. The pastor/CEO/building manager model so common today, is nothing like the Biblical model in Acts-Jude.
Honestly, the older I get and longer I’ve been schooled by the Holy Spirit, the more I am convinced that Yeshua didn’t institute the “church age”; that’s something that He’s allowed men to do, but He would have us be sons and daughters, stand on our own 2 spiritual feet, walk and talk with the Creator ourselves without a human intermediary, gather our own heavenly manna, etc.
It’s eye-opening to me that the word “church” really doesn’t occur in the gospels, but only crops up after Pentecost – when men sought to organize and the abundance of new believers necessitated some ‘earthly’ constraints to maintain order while the Holy Spirit worked His way through dealing with their flesh (pride – self exaltation). Some would point out Yeshua (supposedly) said “church” 3 times in the gospels – but that’s a real perversion of a translation, what with the original meaning of ekklesia (called out assembly / community) … one of many words the definition of which has evolved with use. It didn’t mean “church” when Yeshua is alleged to have said it. And honestly, I think it’s a real stretch to think Yeshua, sent to the “lost sheep of Y’israel, taught them in Greek. I’m just trying to imagine Him going into the synagogue, taking a Hebrew scroll and reading in Hebrew the passage from Isaiah, then switching to Greek to make His remarks … Honestly, I think it’s an offense to put the word “church” in Yeshua’s mouth.
Now, as for being a woman … a few weeks ago I was writing my blogging friend Elle about her abusive church experiences, when a man was getting after her. Would that all believers could receive Yeshua’s truth: “there is neither male nor female … all are one (in Him)”. Elle’s post concerned women and fear, here: https://socialanemia.wordpress.com/2016/11/25/women-and-fear/#comment-798
Jack
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I am sorry you get so much flack for being a female pastor. I think slowly that is beginning to improve. I really like your words: “the only vertical relationship should be between us and God. All other relationships should be horizontal”. You make good points and I appreciate your comment.
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As a pastor with ordination papers, but lacking a degree (And a woman, no less!) I get more than my share of “What school did you go to?” from people who feel the need to grind me into the dirt (or Keep me in my place.) My answer is always the same. I went to the school of the Holy Spirit. More often than not, I know more about the Bible, the history and and the background than those who question me. I frequently upset other pastors when I point out that it’s not my job to tell people about their sin or that the only vertical relationship should be between us and God. All other relationships should be horizontal = and I don’t care that I’m the pastor. I say (and teach) the Bible, not man’s opinion. Religious folks don’t like it much, but God is happy with it, so it’s okay.
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Good point.
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“Time keeps on slippin’, slippin’, slippin’, into the future.”
What I meant to add in reply but hit send too soon, is that agreement based fellowship is a falsehood. By definition, agreement based fellowship requires the inventory and comparison of things believed, until disagreement is identified, and then fellowship ends. Agreement based fellowship is self-exalting – attempting a mental / ideological ascent to fellowship – where you’d think a Christian would recognize God’s truth that His ways – His thoughts – are so much higher than ours … like it says in Proverbs:
“… lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge HIM, and HE will keep your paths straight …”
Hence, the only hope for fellowship between Christians, is for everyone to take up the cross, crucify not only their flesh/carnal self, but their corrupt human understanding, and lift up Christ who in turn, through HIS resurrection, will raise us up, in HIM.
Would that Christians quit following / listening to men / hirelings, too … in so doing, they unwittingly submit their understanding to a ‘covering’ other than Yeshua.
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PS: Wow, how young Kenny Rogers and Bob Dylan looked in the video. Where does time go?
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Hi Jack, thanks for another good comment. I feel that if we have the love of God within us we should be able to accept (not agree), respect and show the love of God to all people. You and I both know that we are not going to agree with everyone and unfortunately we are not going to get along with anyone, although we should be able to agree to disagree and accept others in their differences. We also know that we are not going to get every christian person to agree with every other christian believer. Just look at all the denominations that were created because christian people could not accept the differences of others. You are so right, when we talk with other christian people most of the time the first thing asked is what church to you go too. Once they find out we do not go to church or depend on a pastor they want nothing to do with us or they try to convince us that we are wrong and need to “get right with the Lord”. Yes, there will be no getting along in this life, yet as followers of Christ we should be able to respect and care for others and show everyone the love of Christ no matter what differences we have. Thanks again for the comment.
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There will be no getting along in this life, I’m afraid. For the simple reason that everyone gets to choose whom they serve. Can’t serve God and mammon, for example; can’t serve a hireling and Yeshua; etc. To serve has a lot to do with whom we pledge our allegiance – whom we give influence/sway over us. I mean, how often do our disagreements come down to simply embracing a “different school of thought” than another?
1st John 2:27 is very, VERY interesting on this. So much meat in that one verse. Basically says that we Christians DO NOT NEED ANYONE TO TEACH US (some versions say a “man” to teach us) because we have the Holy Spirit who will teach us. The same scripture admonishes us accept the Holy Spirit, our teacher, listen to His teaching, obey His teaching, and through obeying His teaching, we remain in UNION / UNITY with Christ.
But MOST Christians are listening to HUMAN teachers – most Christians are submitted to a mortal man. And they divide along the lines of the teachings (beliefs) they have embraced. Is it any wonder then that Christians are NOT in UNITY/UNION with Christ, let alone other Christians?
Jim, have you ever had the experience of trying to tell another Christian about Jesus, or asked them about their relationship with Jesus, only to have them tell you instead about their pastor or their church? As often as that’s happened to me, it has felt like recruiting! Try to tell them I follow Yeshua and the Holy Spirit only – that I will not submit to a man or a man’s teachings – and they can’t be rid of me fast enough. Often with a dismissive comment, or suggestion that I’m the one who is lost.
Along the same lines, consider that passage “If I, even I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto myself” … brother, if we lift up (exalt) anything in this world other than Yeshua, any ideal, it will only divide us. Yeshua is the only one we can lift up / exalt us with the power to draw us to Himself.
No, there will be no getting along in this life, until every man who has exalted himself over another, every man who has usurped the teaching authority of the Holy Spirit, has been humbled and laid low by the appearance of the Son.
BTW, while typing this, I was reminded of an old Bob Dylan song – he did a Christian album back in the late 70’s. One of the songs is “Gotta Serve Somebody” … check this out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frWP2TzpayM
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It’s sad but certainly the truth. Thanks for the comment.
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However they can’t come together…even the Christians of same church, same denomination and same Bible versions are found having factions…
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Thanks Kris.
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Amen! And Amen!
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See also: https://donewithreligion.com/2016/12/07/speak-it-or-live-it/
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Thank you. So true, words are easy to say but living up to the words can be very different. Actions always speak much louder the our words.
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lol, I see what you mean. Good article.
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Good post. A person’s action will often betray the lie of their words. I always find the Christians who lead by example more convincing than the preachers who don’t walk the walk.
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You think lik an Amr Indian?
https://rudymartinka.com/2016/10/17/king-solomon-on-the-true-jesus-church/
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Thank you jem. I intend too.
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Thank you! Keep sending this message out. It is so needed in our crazy world.
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