This past year, I have been reaching out to, getting to know, forming bonds with and fellow-shipping with other brothers and sisters in the Lord. These are outside my own church, personal beliefs and denominational boundaries. The Lord has been revealing to me my brothers and sisters in Christ; whom I’ve never met and those who are of another “denominational camp”; to show me more and to reveal more of Himself to me.
What was so cool was that; I learned what they believe and the whys to their beliefs. Each denomination believes and lives differently according to their belief system; and I was able to find this out by taking the time to get to know them and their heart. Because Jesus is their Lord and Savior; it’s their relationship with Him; that causes us to be UNITED together in Him. You see, if you and I Love Jesus and He is Lord; then you and I are brothers and sisters in The Lord and we are all on the same team. JESUS’S team!!!
(Eph 4:4 AMP) [There is] one body and one Spirit–just as there is also one hope [that belongs] to the calling you received
Brothers and sisters in The Lord…different beliefs
There are all sorts of denominations and church camps out there and each denomination believes and lives differently according to their belief system; and He was showing me that most people will not associate with others outside their own “camp”; this thinking is what is preventing TRUE fellowship and unity within HIS body.
(Eph 4:5-6 AMP) [There is] one Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of [us] all, Who is above all [Sovereign over all], pervading all and [living] in [us] all.
We are all “ONE” in Him and so there are no differences. Yes, we live and operate within what we believe; but that should not prevent us from wanting to fellowship and get to know others who have chosen to make Jesus Lord, Savior and King over their lives; even if our doctrinal views are different.
NO denomination or “camp” has all revelation or understanding of what God knows and what He wants to reveal to us through His Word. We are going to be spending all of eternity, ever learning and being shown and taught; all there is to know about Him and Jesus. To think that our denomination or “camp” has been given all the answers and we know everything about Him and how He operates or has to reveal about Himself; is extremely prideful and arrogant. If God can use a donkey; then He can also use other believers to expound on and reveal Himself to us, through them.
TRUE fellowship and unity within HIS body
(Eph 4:1-3 AMP) I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God’s service, Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another. Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.
The Lord has used other brothers and sisters in Christ who believe differently from what I believe; to show me things that I had not seen or thought of before. God used their understanding, revelation and knowledge that they had of Him and what He had revealed to them; to explain and bring out His Word and what they knew of him and His Word in a way that was able to show me something new or to think about from a different angle or from a different light. God has used the conversations that we were having; to also confirm and expound what He had also revealed and expounded to me. At times, He was able to show me where they needed to change and other times He used them to show me where I needed to change.
Learning from my brothers and sisters in The Lord
However it was at these instances, that He showed me; this was not the time to begin a debate. The Holy Spirit was just using this opportunity between me and the other person (s), as we were fellow-shipping together; to begin a “talk or conversation” between Me and Him and this is a time for me to learn and grow in my relationship with HIM. Took me awhile to learn this lesson, but now; I use every opportunity to learn and grow and fellowship in unity when possible!!! I am able to meet more brothers and sisters this way and can still disagree with them, but doing it in a loving way.
LOVE unifies. It’s OK to disagree doctrinal y, but it is NOT ok with the LORD to be in STRIFE; arguing with or involving ourselves in debates that divide. (1 Corinthians 3:1-9). Our job is to be a witness and light to the World; not to be comparing, minimizing or diminishing one another’s light.
Use every opportunity to show Love to ALL brothers and sisters in The Lord; because Jesus is coming SOON!!! Much Love and Prayers Carol Helmick
Great thoughts, we should not judge others by denominations.