I was thinking as I was driving along today...
When I read other blogs and articles, I see lots of controversy and division in the Body of Christ.
We divide over doctrinal differences. (I realize that doctrine definitely matters and am not trivializing the need to be careful and serious about it.) On the other hand, it seems we find more to divide over than to unite around. We take non-essential issues and make them reasons to choose sides and argue. Debating, in the right context, is a good, educational thing. Building movements around non-essentials is foolish and wasteful.
We divide over ministry philosophy and strategy. Even though there are many methods and approaches that God uses, many times we tend to believe that our way is the only one God really blesses.
It is time that the Church, particularly leaders in the Church, wise up and make the MAIN THING the MAIN THING! What is that? The last recorded words of Jesus, written in the four
Gospels and in the book of Acts, tell us what it is... the Great Commission!
Jesus left His Church with the responsibility of MAKING DISCIPLES. That is the MAIN THING. Making disciples involves evangelism and teaching.
No matter how we do it, we need to share the Gospel with those who are far from God. No matter how we do it, we need to teach Christ followers to obey the things He has commanded us!
If we put our energy into doing the two things that make disciples, we will be too busy to divide and fight over things that aren't essential to our existence.
I want to be a part of a church that is serious about making disciples! I want to avoid wasting energy fighting other believers, instead putting energy into the MAIN THING!
Amen and amen!
ReplyDeleteYou are right. There is too much that we allow to divide us instead of uniting under the simple truth of the Gospel.
I'm constantly reminded of Maude Brooks saying, "Preach the Word. Just preach the Word."
Thanks for today's post.
I like Titus 3:7-11 =]
ReplyDeleteand Colossians 2:16-23 is somewhat relevant for a lot of what we as Christians end up quarreling over.
Most things arent worth arguing over as long as they arent part of the core of our faith and salvation... though I guess various groups draw that line at different places and issues.
I just keep my mouth shut most of the time now... I know what I believe and where I stand with God. I also know some things that others hold as truth that are entirely false. Though I acknowledge that there are infinite things that I do not know and even if I believe have figured out could very well be wrong so stating them as FACT and being unwilling to entertain anothers view on the subject is foolishness.