God alone knows our hearts. What I write in my blogs are my opinions based on what I see happening, and what I believe in my heart of hearts.
I wonder what camp Jesus would join. I wonder what words He would teach us and what parables He would share with us.
My wondering led me to the Scriptures, because both camps say they embrace the Word of God to be the Truth. Below are the verses I want to share today.
Revelation 2:4 (This is God speaking to the church of Ephesus.) Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. In verses 1-3 of this passage, the church is praised for the good works that they have done; however, in all their efforts the key to God is missing: LOVE. They have somehow bogged themselves down doing this and that, and have forgotten WHO they are serving. God is love, and all we do for Him should be based upon our love for Him, and should flow from us to others. Doing otherwise is futile, and we miss the point of what we are to do and be for God.
2 Corinthians 2:15 (St. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth.) For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are saved and those who are perishing. Apparently some things never change, and the people of the church of Corinth were hurting one another just as we are today. We all have victory in Jesus, and all we have to do to overcome our differences is to remember what our goal is. The goal is to spread the aroma of Christ to the world. How can we do that if we are fighting among ourselves? I really like the word aroma used here because the sense of smell can transport us back to another time in our lives. Perhaps if we’re sharing God’s aroma of love with all we come in contact, it will transport them back to an earlier time when their faith was new and all they wanted to do was share God’s love. Just a thought…
John 13:34-35 (Jesus is speaking.) A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, it you love one another. In these verses Jesus is giving us a command, it’s not a suggestion! This command is just as relevant today, as it was centuries ago when Jesus said it. The term “church” refers to the Body of Christ – all Christians regardless of denomination. The different beliefs regarding the social issues that appear to be at the center of the fighting within the church are not building the church up. They are tearing it down.
We as the Body of Christ are neglecting our responsibilities to share the love of God with everyone. Not just the people who look like us, act like us, think like us – EVERYONE! That what the Bible teaches. Sadly, both camps are missing the mark.
As I was preparing this blog, I ran across a quote from John Wesley: “Though we cannot think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may. Herein all the children of God my unite, notwithstanding these smaller differences.” Can I get an amen?
Based on the verses herein, God clearly teaches love, compassion, and acceptance. Regardless of all the unloving actions going on within the Body of Christ, we need to make a choice on how we will personally conduct ourselves.
I’m going to do my best to live the teachings of God. Y’all with me?
See you next time…
