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The state of the church today
Today, the church of Jesus is segregated. This is because we have allowed differences in doctrine to divide us. Some believe in tithing and others don’t. Again, some believe in speaking in tongues while others don’t. Also, some believe in anointing with oil and others don’t. Moreover, some believe in women wearing earrings, a pair of trousers or headscarves. Others don’t. Lastly, some believe that Saturday is the sabbath while others have chosen Sunday.
There is simplicity in Christ
There should be no confusion when it comes to serving God. He does not always deal with every one of us in the same way. Whatever persuasions you have as a Christian, you are at liberty to follow them as long as you can verify with the scriptures. Paul highlighted the fact that there is liberty in serving God by stating that “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17, NKJV). Also, he said to the Corinthians: “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” (2 Corinthians 11:3, NKJV). Don’t complicate what God in His wisdom has simplified so everybody can directly partake.
Unfortunately, as believers, we tend to focus more on the little things that divide us. The situation can be so bad that sometimes members of one denomination cannot ordinarily relate with members of another. Must we, necessarily, belong to the same church to see ourselves as being part of God’s kingdom? We must be open-minded and not be judgmental in our attitude. The point is that we are free to follow our persuasions as believers. We cannot compel others to follow our persuasions. The Holy Spirit leads us personally and communally. The personal should not be confused with the communal and vice versa.
We are part of the same body
“so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.”
Romans 12:5 (New King James Version)
From the above, it is clear that there are differences among us but we are part of the same body who is Jesus. That means, our differences don’t negate the fact that we are one in Christ. We may differ in our persuasions but we are still part of the same body. For this reason, our focus must be the cross of Jesus. This is because it is the cross of Jesus that binds us together. We should learn to respect and love one another.
We have the same purpose
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
Matthew 28:19 (New King James Version)
The mandate of the church as revealed in the above verse is to go and make disciples of the nations. Clearly, we are to make disciples in Jesus and Him only. Therefore, we cannot make disciples based on our doctrines. That means, in making disciples, Jesus must be the focal point and not our doctrines.
We have the same foundation
“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”
Hebrews 6:1-2 (New King James Version)
From the above, the church of Jesus is built on the foundation of repentance from dead works, faith in God, laying on of hands, baptisms, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement. Therefore, these elementary principles must be the foundation of every church. We must all believe in these doctrines if we are part of the body of Christ. I honestly think that we all believe in them.
In my opinion, we basically have the same faith. Therefore, we must be more minded about the kingdom of our King—Jesus Christ. Our goal must be to increase the traffic to heaven rather than to our churches. We must bear in mind that doctrines don’t give life. That means, the doctrines you believe in cannot give life. Which is why Paul said “for the letter kills, but the Spirit giveth life.” (2 Corinthians 3:6, NKJV). Jesus is the giver of life. That is why John said that “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16, NKJV). Paul reiterated this same point when he said that “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9, NKJV). Therefore, our condemnation or otherwise will be predicated on whether we accepted or rejected the giver of life—Jesus.
We are one kingdom
As believers, we must understand that others who don’t necessarily follow our persuasions are still very much a part of the body of Jesus. We must desist from condemning other believers who don’t believe in our persuasions. We cannot continue to fight and compete among ourselves. Jesus said that “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24, NKJV). When we allow doctrinal differences to flourish among us, it can only weaken our resolve to fight for the kingdom of God. But when we see ourselves as being part of the same body then we can fight together for the sake of Christ.
Let’s keep the fire burning until the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!