Yet, I am going to list two here:
In Matthew 12: 30, we read what Jesus said ..."He that is not with Me is against Me; and he that gathers not with Me scatters abroad."
And in Mark 9:40, we read that Jesus also said, "For he that is not against us is for us."
Churches should not be in a competitive nature, for the message should not be based on eloquence of our worship ...nor should the church strive so hard to relate to the down-to-earth that it accepts baseness. The foundation is our base, and we should build our own character to reflect Jesus as much as possible.
Many tribal people from nations around the world have accepted the teachings of Jesus. Many of them had known deep inside for a long time that their ways were wrong ...they just didn't know a way to make it right.
And they had an advantage over many of us, because they felt they couldn't make it right, and their guilt prevented them from believing they could. The advantage was that, in fact, they couldn't make it right ...yet, they rejoiced that Jesus did make it so things could be made right. And their guilt which beforehand had given them no motivation to live each day any different than a condemned people, now gives them new life ...knowing they've been forgiven. Yes, that too ...is an additional reason to celebrate.
He who is not with Jesus ...is against Jesus. That appears rather clear. Yet, when He addressed His disciples, Jesus appeared to be including the future furthering of the Gospel message and what hinders it ..."he that is not against us is for us."
Those who were not actively against Jesus and His disciples ...were not hindering their desire to tell everyone who Jesus is. And certainly, we should not hinder nor focus on faults of those churches which hold fast to the same teachings of Jesus ...irregardless of whether we agree with other styles, practices, or teachings aside from Him. Salvation is through Jesus ...and we should not add our own expectations, nor attempt to meter out tolerances as we conclude in our own heart how much grace should be dispensed.
That being said, we certainly are not to compromise God's Word, and assign meaning of our own liking.
***************************
Yes, considering all the conflicts of feelings and divisions of peoples ...it is easy to see how a citizen of one country might find it difficult to readily accept a neighbor who sends out many recruits on missions of destruction. It might even be difficult for a Democrat to get along with a Republican ...or a Catholic to get along with a Protestant. In view of the first example, the latter differences seem to get progressively more petty. The value of life is paramount, and neighbors should be able to have a sense of security. The differences of political preferences may have much to do with how we value life ...or Pro-life issues. Yet, when we look to eternal life ...it is not a political choice, nor is it defined by how we look to worship. If we were to take an honest look at it, most of our different choices of worship are of more importance to us humans than they are to God.
It's not so much how we worship ...but, who we worship. And God sees how we have such a mixed bag of adoration, of our love and respect not only of people, but things...yet, He wants us to mature and realize how futile it is to cling onto anything that does not have eternal value.
Recognition and a feeling of importance does have substantial value. We get excited if we meet someone who grew up from our hometown ...and we feel we have so much in common as we mention people and events common to both of our memories. We may both own a rare vintage car ...and feel our ride is a cut above the rest, experiencing something we tell others is a feeling we can't describe and they can't truly imagine. A shared feeling or a sense of belonging is something we all long for. But, this is not the whole feeling behind faith.
Our faith needs to be in Christ Jesus ...and it should not be like a celebrity encounter, nor a rare honor bestowed upon us. The blessing is for all of us ...but, do not minimize its significance. It is the greatest thing that could ever happen to anyone.
Yet, we are people who need to change ...and most of what we should change has much to do with our attitudes. The process of change is both a responsibility and a privilege. We must be willing to change ...and willing to allow Him to change us. But, He does it through our willingness, it is each of us who must see it through. He doesn't make the change ...He makes it possible, through Him.
The Book of Revelation, Chapter 22, reads, " ...a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the Tree of Life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded its fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations."
That is a vision of a future event ...after the old has passed away, not because of our negligence to the environment, but to create an environment of no negligence of Him.
Yes, the nations here must be referring to peoples ...of like beliefs, like emotions, and like problems. And God desires that we become overcomers ...and overcome those wrong and hurtful attitudes. I used to think that none of that would be evident in heaven, yet there is a thought of a gentle breeze passing through the leaves of the Tree of Life...giving new life & not only a peaceful perspective, but the healing necessary as we arrive at the place He has promised to prepare for us ...for our eternal life with Him.
(http://noproofformetoexistyousay.blogspot.com/)
(http://whatbenefitistheretoamnesia.blogspot.com/)
(http://solemnsolomonorlaughingsarah.blogspot.com/)
No comments:
Post a Comment