Churches Can Differ But Still Be Focused On Christ

[Chad]

Billy Graham

I get confused by all the different beliefs among churches (which is why I've never joined one). Shouldn't they all believe the same things if they're sincerely following Jesus?

Admittedly, churches do differ to some degree from each other, and I'm afraid churches and Christians sometimes even argue among themselves about these differences. When we do, we may have forgotten the Bible's command to "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:3).

But these differences are usually over minor issues, and they shouldn't divert us from a far more important truth: Jesus Christ is the center and foundation of our faith. Every church that sincerely seeks to follow Jesus affirms - with all believers - that Jesus alone was God in human flesh, sent from heaven to save us from our sins. Because of Him, the Bible says, "we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:14).

By His death and resurrection Jesus conquered the forces of evil and sin and death and Hell. And because of Him, we can have hope - hope for our lives right now, and hope for eternity. Churches may differ in their styles of worship, or the way they're organized, or in other secondary matters, but if they are seeking to follow Christ, they are spiritually united with Him.

The real issue for you, however, is this: What does Jesus Christ mean to you? Have you faced honestly your need for God's forgiveness and new life, and have you opened your heart and life to Christ? Don't let another day go by without Him. Then ask God to lead you to a church where you'll not only feel at home, but you can grow stronger in your faith and your service for Christ.

 

[rag4aCrown]

greetings in the Lord;

addressing Ephesians 4:3 One must have submitted to the Spirit to have "in the bond of peace". Our peace is in the Lord, not in the world. amen. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must do it in Spirit and in truth. amen. Jesus tells us He didnt bring peace but rather division. amen. The division is between the old covenant and the new covenant; not the church and the world.

Because I have entered in Jesus I have the Spirit in the bond of peace, with Him and anyone else that has entered in or is seeking to enter in. amen. However, those that are still under the old will not receive me; the high mined, self righteous, stiff necks do me just like they did Jesus, Paul, Stephen...

In a nutshell what I am saying if; if one has entered into Him, we are in one accord with Him and with each other; we are not offended by the Word of truth; but will fight the good fight of faith against false doctrine of fleshly carnal teachers. If we love the church as Christ loved the church we will speak forth in Spirit and truth, reproving the spirits. When spirits get stirred, they grow. amen

 

[RJ]

greetings in the Lord;

addressing Ephesians 4:3 One must have submitted to the Spirit to have "in the bond of peace". Our peace is in the Lord, not in the world. amen. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must do it in Spirit and in truth. amen. Jesus tells us He didnt bring peace but rather division. amen. The division is between the old covenant and the new covenant; not the church and the world.

Because I have entered in Jesus I have the Spirit in the bond of peace, with Him and anyone else that has entered in or is seeking to enter in. amen. However, those that are still under the old will not receive me; the high mined, self righteous, stiff necks do me just like they did Jesus, Paul, Stephen...

In a nutshell what I am saying if; if one has entered into Him, we are in one accord with Him and with each other; we are not offended by the Word of truth; but will fight the good fight of faith against false doctrine of fleshly carnal teachers. If we love the church as Christ loved the church we will speak forth in Spirit and truth, reproving the spirits. When spirits get stirred, they grow. amen

• If you are a true, " born again" Christian with Christ in you, you may have differences but not on this principle of Jesus as Lord and Savior and the perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
• This being true, then we are part of the same body of Christ and the church universal. Romans 12:5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

 

[rag4aCrown]

greetings;
our eyes (physical) on Jesus is cause for the big majority of differences. The heart is the eye of God. People need to lay down the carnal, fleshly "eyes", that lust after the flesh and worldly treasure; and allow God to perfect Himself in the spiritual eye "the heart. Many honor Him with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. If thine "eye" be single, thy whole body is full of light. God sees our heart, He hears us when it comes from the heart. What is consuming your heart? the lust of the flesh (physical eye) or God (spiritual eye). God is Spirit. amen

 

[RJ]

greetings;
our eyes (physical) on Jesus is cause for the big majority of differences. The heart is the eye of God. People need to lay down the carnal, fleshly "eyes", that lust after the flesh and worldly treasure; and allow God to perfect Himself in the spiritual eye "the heart. Many honor Him with their lips, but their heart is far from Him. If thine "eye" be single, thy whole body is full of light. God sees our heart, He hears us when it comes from the heart. What is consuming your heart? the lust of the flesh (physical eye) or God (spiritual eye). God is Spirit. amen

• Romans 10: 8-10 But what does it say ? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
• A Head Christian believes with his head and is lost; a Heart Christian believes with his heart and is saved!

 

[rag4aCrown]

i believe that is what the spirit just said, RJ. Many honor Him with their lips but their heart is far from Him. I also believe this scripture backs up Many are called, but few are chosen. God knows whom He has chosen. We are unique, a peculiar people, a royal priesthood, baptized by the Holy Ghost and fire, we offend many because what lives in us speaks the Word of God with power and authority, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Our words convict the heart, reprove the spirits, and doesnt fight back because we are persecuted or falsely accused. We speak in wisdom and understanding by revelation knowledge of Jesus Chirst. We have not leaned to our own understanding but have been taught by the Holy Ghost, the only true Teacher. We do not think more of ourselves then we ought to think, but we are humble and meek, kind and patient, full of mercy and longsuffering. We are confident in God, not ourselves. Our life is not our own, it belongs to God. We have been bought with a price, santified, justified, delivered and redeemed. For those few; to LIVE is CHRIST, to die is gain. As we live, move and breath, we do so unto God. We have not conformed to the world, but have been transformed by the renewing of our mind. We know from whom we came and to whom we shall return. Ye shall know them by their fruits. amen.

 

[RJ]

I also believe this scripture backs up Many are called, but few are chosen.

Yes and this one as well: Matthew 7: 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

We are confident in God, not ourselves

Also, simply by the faith he gives us: Ephesians 2:8

We have been bought with a price, santified, justified, delivered and redeemed

Another reason why I believe in eternal security!

We have not conformed to the world, but have been transformed by the renewing of our mind.

Regenerated:
John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."
John 1: 12-13 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Ye shall know them by their fruits

Not ours but his fruits through us and the proof that our faith is no dead!
Amen....God Bless!