Whether you are part of an organized church or not, we as followers of Christ are the Church. It is not a building or an organization but a community of believers loving God and loving others.
We should be able to get past our differences in doctrine and interpretation, get past what church we attend or if we attend at all and focus on our love for God and our love for one another.
We are not going to agree with one another and we are not going to come in contact with every person in the world. Yet we are to be ready each day to allow the Spirit of Christ, who is within us, to reach out to those individuals we do meet along the way to share the love of God with them.
All our organized services and plans to get people to a church building so the pastor can get the good word out will never make a huge difference. It is our job to go out into the world and live a life of love. That does not mean all of us have to become missionaries and go to some far-off land. The people we come in contact with each day during our regular routine are the people we are to show God’s love.
This is the way we will make a difference in our world, when people see the love of God within us for each other and for God.
There it is!
It’s about putting our faith into action. Faith is simple taking God at His word.
And His word say go out and feed my sheep.
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Yes. Faith and love. Trusting God and serving others out of love rather than obligation. Thanks Vernon.
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I think your really hit the essence of things here. It’s all about love and learning to be vessels of expression of that love to all His wonderful creation, not just those who agree with us. That’s a daily challenge and requires some letting go of ourselves so that He can work that miracle in and through us to all people. We certainly cannot do it ourselves alone.
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So true jem. It is by the strength of the Spirit within us. Thanks for posting the comment.
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Thank you so much for sharing this – it’s a voice that needs to be heard more often. By those who thing going to church is all there is to faith as well as by those who think if they are leaving church they also have to leave their faith behind. So many of us had to leave churches to find God and realized, we are the Church! Keep it up! And check out what we’re doing over at http://www.roguemillennials.org, we also want to challenge Christians to look beyond the walls of churches and see what God is doing among His people!
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Thank you for the kind words. I will check out the link.
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You make some very excellent points Jimbo. Very good article.
I agree with the premise, but how do you do it?
How do you harmonize with those who push a false gospel of works salvation?
I’ve tried to harmonize with them, but their message grates at my soul, even angers me, to the point that I can’t harmonize with them. How does Jimbo put away differences like that, knowing the bondage they put people under.
I’m not even talking about overt works religionists, but those who deny it, but project it on people anyway.
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I do not think we can do that on our own. It has to be by the power of the Spirit. It does not mean we agree with everyone nor are close friends with everyone. It is a godly love for those created by the Father, knowing behind the labels and actions and beliefs is a person loved by God. Thanks for the comment.
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Good mornin Jimbo, you’re welcome buddy.
You know somethin. I have been torn over this issue for quite a while. There’s a part of me that wants unity across the board among everyone who claims to be a Christian.
And I never endorse personally attacking people on a personal level. After all, if they can’t see God’s love in us, what good are we? I’ve encountered some grace people that are downright hateful. I’m not endorsing meanness.
But I’ve gotten to the place where I don’t want unity with the works righteousness folk.
I don’t want unity with them anymore than Paul did in Galatia.
Just the other day, I was having a civil discussion with a man, trying to understand what he was promoting. (Repent of sins for salvation), is often very subtly disguised in a message, and sometimes you’ve gotta probe a little to see what’s underneath their message.
Anyway, I had to tell him, sir, that’s damning heresy.
If we don’t reveal it…who will?
I was polite, but his message was a damning one.
I don’t want any unity with that stuff…none.
These people are arrogant and slick under a mask of humility.
But they are hurting people Jimbo. Because many folk don’t question what they’re being taught, at least not to the extent that they’ll challenge the teacher. And they end up making disciples that are twofold the child of hell than themselves.
That’s just my two cents.
Grace and peace to you brother.
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I get it Lee. I am not saying we agree with everyone, nor even like what people do. Yet in spite of our differences we should still show the love of God to all people. That does not mean we will live happily ever after in total agreement. We can still be respectful even when we disagree. Thanks for writing.
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Hey Jimbo, I just want to clarify something I said previously. When I said that I never endorse attacking people on a personal level.
I don’t want to give the impression that I haven’t ever been guilty of doing this. Because I have been guilty of doing this. But it’s something that God has worked within me, to try and be polite as I interact with people, although I don’t always meet the mark.
I apologize to you for my poor choice of wording. Please forgive me.
Grace and peace to you brother.
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Thanks for clearing that up but really, we all are a work in progress. We all mess up along the way. Just thankful that it is covered in grace for each of us.
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