“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Paul addressed the divisions that sprung up among the believers in Corinth. This is not a new problem. With the followers of Christ came the problems of men. There were divisions of opinions and importance which has been a constant in the church and is not any different today. There were councils created to resolve the issues that came about from the differences of interpreting the scriptures and beliefs of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Throughout the last 2000 years or so there have been many separations within the body of Christ because of dissension among its members. This has led to different denominations and beliefs with different dogmas within Christianity. This is not how it should be. There is a simplicity to believing in Jesus and coming to the foot of the Cross. There is an availability to Jesus that is freely given to the believer and that is to the individual as well as to the group. You do not need to belong to a specific denomination or church affiliation in order to claim salvation. The early days of Christianity came with power grabs and status snatching from the different church locations within each region. This was so that those who ran those churches would be given authority and all that comes with a position of loftiness within the hierarchy. It is no different today. There are churches that claim that their denomination has superior authority and superior authenticity. There are denominations that believe that their way has greater approval from God and Jesus. That is ridiculous. God is seeking those who love Him in spirit and truth, period. The Holy Bible is the word of God and is not complicated to understand. Most don’t bother to read it thoroughly enough to be able to apply it to their lives though. Most go to whatever church has become part of their routine and belief system and stay there. Jesus wants us to obey God and to obey Him. We are meant to keep it simple and to be submissive to the will of God in our lives. How often do you notice Christians arguing amongst themselves about their beliefs? How often do you see the differences between those beliefs cause resentment and bitterness? All Christians believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Why are things complicated? What is so difficult about being of one mind? The reason that there are different denominations is because man wanted greater authority and power for themselves so they created a separate group within the group to attain that power. There should never be separation within the body of Christ. There should never be a demand to follow the dogma of man. We should follow the commands of Christ. Keep it simple and know that Jesus just wants you to get it right. That means to seek righteousness. Seek to purify your heart and mind and to always seek God first in all that you do. Continue to pray diligently and learn to ask for those things that are approved of by God and not selfish desires of your heart. Be loyal in your faith and Jesus will be loyal to you. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 Love That Cross, Pastor John Collins
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:44:51 +0000