Today's Reading....

This is part of a passage that we learned about yesterday in church. I wanted to share some thoughts I had about it.

"Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." Ephesians 4:3-6

We hear a lot about being united in our faith, being one strong force for change. While this is truly a Biblical ambition it can be taken to the extreme. We cannot become so driven to unity that we ignore those things that are false doctrine. For example, we cannot just accept that someone is a brother or sister in Christ because they say they believe in God. Not even all denominations that claim to be Christian really are. Any teaching that puts a human on equal plain with Jesus is a false doctrine. Any teaching that claims a "later revelation" is false. There are no two ways about it. God is what He says He is - in HIS Word!

A further extreme of unity is the idea that because God created all humans we should be one no matter our belief system. Its ridiculous to say that just based on God's love for us we can accept and tolerate any religion. He didn't. Why should we?

Does this mean that any difference in denominational opinion is a reason to dissociate with those of others churches? NO! Often our small differences divide us based on tradition more than what the Bible actually says. The fact is that we, who claim Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are united in the same Holy Spirit regardless of our denomination.

Really and truly there are very few denominational differences that are "salvation issues" or those things that could compromise our eternal destination. Whether or not we have music during worship or do we let our women teach and preach or raising our hands in worship. These things are not at issue when we lay our hearts at the feet of God's throne. I will expound in a future post on issues that can compromise our salvation.

Is there are way to know if a particular belief is false doctrine? Why, yes, there is!

1. The Bible is very clear that there is ONE mediator between God and man. That's Jesus. Anyone position that attempts to elevate a person or false diety to an equal plain with Jesus is false. 1 Timothy 2:5; John 14:6

2. Anything that attempts to remove Jesus' Godhood and make him merely a man or good teacher is false. John 1:1-51; Revelation 1:1-20; Revelation 22:1-21

3. Any person that cannot confess with their mouth Jesus as their Lord and Savior doesn't believe in their heart. Romans 10:9-11; Matthew 10:32; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 4:1-4; 2 John 1:7

So, in short (Ha Ha,) strive to have unity with those that truly confess Jesus as their Lord regardless of what the sign says over the door of their church. Don't allow yourself to be led into the belief that all is acceptable. If you have fellowship with someone whose belief system doesn't fit the criteria above, WITNESS TO THEM! Ask them to join you in a study of these things. If you need more help, PLEASE feel free to contact me. If I can't find the answer, preacher Daddy can.

Love to all!