Churches Loving Churches

The Right Church or the Right Heart?

Before the devotional, here is a Nature Narration “Biology Over Space” from the Philippines short broadcasts on FEBC at 10:30am Monday thru Friday.

Reality Remains the Same

There are many words in many languages all attempting to express everything from feelings to anatomy to colors to science and thoughts. No matter what language you speak, the color “green” is the same and no word can ever change the actual color.

The same goes for God, Himself. There are many interpretations of who God is, how He thinks, what He has done, how He governs, how He will judge us, how He saves us, how much He loves us, and more. We hope we are not ignorant and believe close to what is actually true, but whatever we believe that is inaccurate or completely wrong will not change who God is. Sure, our perspective may change who God is to us emotionally and relationally, but our opinion does not force God into a thousand schizophrenic gods of a thousand different denominations or ideas.

God Uses Teachers for His Purposes

Today, as I read Paul correcting the Corinthians about arguing who was the best to follow: Paul or Apollos or Peter, I thought of denominations. I think this applies because he says no matter what teachers teach, God causes the growth (1 Co 3:6,9) No matter what we learn and from whom, Jesus Christ is the only foundation (1 Co 3:11). Ultimately, we do not belong to a teacher or a denomination or a particular doctrine,

“… you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.” (1 Co 3:23).

Good Doctrine without Love is Bad Doctrine

Go to this verse in your own Bible as soon as possible. Please check for yourself and make sure this is highlighted in your Bible and engraved deep in your mind until it saturates your own heart.

Mark 12:29-33

Consider that it says clearly that all the law and the prophets are summed up by the command LOVE. Love God and love one another. All the Bible teaches love. It even teaches that God is love. Whenever we are tempted to put anything above love; whether baptism, the 2^nd coming, the Sabbath Day, when Jesus returns, tithing, or any doctrine, we defy God.

It is great to invite others to our safe place, meaning our home church, but best of all they need to be with Christ, not your church. God brings us through stages for a reason. First grade is not something to mock, it is required for entering second grade.

Comrades Not Competitors

Sometimes Christians are more comfortable with folks that don’t know Christ at all, than folks from other denominations. So many Christians talks about other churches like they are all deceived or if they are a good church, as if they are competitors. Folks, none of us agree 100% with our spouses and families, but we love them. Most churches in our communities are shining light into lives. Hopefully, we are all comrades fighting hell and ungodliness in a very dark time as this. Do not feel betrayed if a fellow church member joins another local church. Another church may not be “gone astray” at all.

No Permission to Not Love

They will know we are Christians by our doctrine or by our love?

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34,35

Who does God permit us to NOT love? Obviously, reading 1 Corinthians, Christians have this thing where they will argue why it is better to follow Apollos rather than Paul.

Quick Story about the One True Church

I taught Sunday church for nearly 7 years at a senior home in California. Many Lutherans, but every other denomination and mostly women, since they typically outlive men. So I say to these sweet church ladies “Today I will announce the true church at the end of my message.” They got along so that was provocative. At the end I kept my promise and quoted “God knows those who are His”. We all have hypocrites in our church and so does every other church. We have a few real saints too, right? So do most churches. Even some wonderful people that don’t go to church. Do you anyone like that?

The Bible says that God knows who are His. He knows the heart. He knows the secrets. He knows who belongs to Him.

Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His;” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to keep away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:19

Churches Are Stewards of What God Owns

Going back to Paul in Corinthians, salvation is only by Christ and those who belong to him are sincerely loving others. We are all flawed people enjoying God’s mercy as we grow starting with first grade, then second grade, but in God’s wisdom, He makes the curriculum wisely and will work all things together for good because we love Him.

No matter what we believe or are taught, and also no matter what we teach others; what is true from God remains exactly the same. No one owns God’s adopted children, except Christ, and Christ belongs to God. 

Churches Loving Churches

If you are a pastor, priest, or leader, it is the Holy Spirit in me that rejoices when I hear in person or through the microphone something like this:

“We are also grateful for the important work of our brothers and sisters from many of our neighboring churches that also have the vision to raise up godliness in marriage, families, work, and the community. Let’s pray for them too.”

Doesn’t that just feel right? No wonder, since Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is his desire to see the people of God united to the same level of unity shared by himself and God the Father. Obviously, our unity cannot be based on full knowledge of all truth, but our hearts can be pure as we obey His commandments.

The Right Church or the Right Heart? Hopefully both. May love be our flag.

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