CHANGING TIMES

I Was Just Thinking About – CHANGING TIMES.

The month of June seems to be a time when Church Denominations of every stripe hold their annual meeting. The conclaves are often marked by sharp differences and contentious debates. From a bird’s eye view, one can wonder whether or not these various groups truly represent the Church of the Risen Christ, or as Scripture states it so purposely, “the body of Christ.”

I belong to a denomination that believes it is the most pure and truest representative of the Reformed Faith. And yet, as they meet, reports emerge that indicate a new day and a pattern of divide between historic conservatives (40%) and the National Partnership (60%). The prognosticators think that the 60% will become greater and the 40% will steadily decline. If any of this is true, or even if all of it is true, what is the recourse for the true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ?

We know the heart of Jesus Christ about such matters from the prayer he offered in John 17. Jesus prayed that His body, the Church, might be one in the same way that the Triune God is one. The Apostle Paul carefully and urgently instructed the believers, Ephesians 4:1-7, “As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” He goes on to instruct about gifts that may differ but that should not affect the being the one true body of Jesus Christ.

In the Devotional, Insight For Living – June 14, 2017, Chuck Swindoll writes about “Bigness” and said: “Politics and personal preferences and opinions on things like military involvement may vary among members of the body of Christ but there is a bond deep within that binds us to one another. It is the glue of authentic love, expressing itself in compassion, fairness, willingness to support, and (when possible) coming to the aid of another. Personally. Without strings attached. Committed to the protection and dignity of human life…regardless of how somebody votes. And what does it take? Bigness. Being free of grudges, pettiness, vengeance, and prejudice. Seeing another in need, regardless of differences of opinion, and reaching out in solid Christian maturity. Just because you care. That's bigness. It's living above labels; it's seeing beyond hurts; it's caring unconditionally, helping unassumingly.” 

With whom is Jesus Christ most pleased? Prayerfully – consider these things with me.

-->