From March 11, 2008
I Corinthians 13:4-8
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keep no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails..."
Romans 12: 9-17
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil."
Romans 13:9-10
"The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not covet,' and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
I Peter 4:8-10
"Above all else, love deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithful administering God's grace in its various form."
I Timothy 1:5
"The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
Ephesians 5:1-2
"Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."
Can we remove all romantic connotations from the word for just a few moments? Love is pure, but the concept is tainted by the secular definitions. In all these verses, the "love" is not complimented by words such as "marriage", but rather the idea of reaching out to others, no matter who they may be.
Love is a word that is often thrown around quite meaninglessly, most likely because most people do not truly understand what love truly is. Now I do not claim to be an expert, but I would consider Paul one. And his description of love, as seen in I Corinthians covers it all.
It's the end of that segment that touches me the most. "Love never fails." I think it's complete crap when people utter the words, "I just don't love him/her anymore." If that's the case, then it obviously wasn't love to begin with. The things of the world are fickle and uncertain, but love is of God, and if there is one certain in life, than it is Him. If anyone's experiences with love goes against what He has said in anyway, then I am confident to say that it was not quite love.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demon, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is Christ in Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
Now that's love.
Of course, we are repeatedly told to love our neighbors, but I'm sure we all question whether or not it's possible to have such a sincere love for everyone, including people we haven't meant. Obviously, there must be different levels of love, defined by the amount of fervor behind it, but the same principle still remains. Though not as invested in the homeless man I pass on the street daily as I am with my mother, I am still expected to reach out to him just the same.
But I believe to fulfill the criteria of love as stated above from the Bible, certain prerequisites in the relationship aren't needed, especially since we are not talking of "romantic" love at this moment. Thus I am constantly inspired to reach out in the best way I can to everyone who may need it. It's a thought that has been swimming around in my mind a lot for the past weeks, but I feel like I haven't exactly acted on it. No, I do not blatantly shun people, but there is always more than I can be doing to show love.
I Peter 4:8-10 especially speaks to me on this matter. Verse 8 has always been one of my favorite verses, but recently I've noted the following verses. It is not a coincidence that Peter speaks of hospitality right after he mentions love. So I want to be available to anyone who may need me, may it be in the simplest way or in the most complex way. I realize how easy it is to show love and how the slightest gesture can mean a lot to a person.
"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithful administering God's grace in its various form."
Another thing that I am now becoming more focused on. I've been quite aware of my talents for some time now, mostly because compliments on them have been shoved down my throat since I was about seven. But it's come to the point that I realize that I shouldn't be using my gifts for my own joy, but for the joy of the Lord and of others. Especially in my case, when I have talents that specifically can be used to impact others (creativity, writing, humor). And without even meaning to, I've seen lately that these abilities have already been used by God to touch the lives of others, but I am not willing to just stop there. I want to take it to another level.
I just think it's very important to be a beacon of the love of the Lord. More important than myself, after all, is others.
Love is a simple concept with a powerful results. It can change moments, lives, the world. It's something we all need to be more conscience. Instead of automatically equivocating this concept to romance, we need to broaden our definitions to encompass what God truly means it as.
And this is regard to not just our friend and family, but enemies and strangers as well.
Let it be known that I am working on a blank state here. Despite lack of compatibilities or events that may have occurred in the past, I am willing to love and I'm going to love. And I think I've lost the central point of this note long ago.
But then again, isn't the central point love? 'Cause unlike most things, love never fails.
I love you all.
Showing posts with label I Corinthians. Show all posts
Showing posts with label I Corinthians. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
I don't care too much for mansions. Mansions can't buy me love.
From October 24, 2008
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
I always looked at that verse as to how we should love. And it definitely is a great template for that. But it has just occurred to me that that is how God loves us. Of course, I've always believed in the love of God, always known of it, but never exactly delved into what that exactly meant. It's just always been a general thing. But reading every single descriptor of love up above and knowing that that entails the love we receive from Jesus, just makes verses like Romans 8:38-39 even more comforting.
Something I feel like I've dealt with the past few months is specifically stated above - "it keeps no records of wrongs." And I know God forgives - we only have to ask, but it never stopped me from feeling ashamed, dirty - sometimes not even worthy of being apart of God. But that's a fallacy, and all on my part. Because though I can never forgive and forget, God most certainly does. And I may dwell in shame because of my sin, very well past the time I committed it, but there's no need to. God isn't holding it against me. I've sincerely asked for my forgiveness - it's time to move on.
I felt so guilty. I felt as God was telling me something, leading me to a certain direction, and I completely chickened out. I wasn't strong enough because I could act on what the Lord was telling me. But I had a realization today. God understands. He knows how hard it was, that I am only human - He knows exactly why I could've step up to the call. And instead of picturing Him looking down on me and shaking His head in disappointment, I picture Him smiling comfortingly at me, still loving me, telling me "It's okay, Chanelle. It's okay."
Of course, He would've been absolutely thrilled if I'd had the courage to go forth, despite it all. But he's not ashamed of me because I didn't, and I truly feel that in my heart. He knows my shortcomings, but is patient with them, because He loves me, and as the verse entails - "love is patient." And though undoubtedly it would've been better if I just would've pushed through in His intended direction, things will still come together perfectly. Albeit in a different way, but it still will - I know that.
I finally feel like I'm getting it right again, and it feels amazing
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."
I always looked at that verse as to how we should love. And it definitely is a great template for that. But it has just occurred to me that that is how God loves us. Of course, I've always believed in the love of God, always known of it, but never exactly delved into what that exactly meant. It's just always been a general thing. But reading every single descriptor of love up above and knowing that that entails the love we receive from Jesus, just makes verses like Romans 8:38-39 even more comforting.
Something I feel like I've dealt with the past few months is specifically stated above - "it keeps no records of wrongs." And I know God forgives - we only have to ask, but it never stopped me from feeling ashamed, dirty - sometimes not even worthy of being apart of God. But that's a fallacy, and all on my part. Because though I can never forgive and forget, God most certainly does. And I may dwell in shame because of my sin, very well past the time I committed it, but there's no need to. God isn't holding it against me. I've sincerely asked for my forgiveness - it's time to move on.
I felt so guilty. I felt as God was telling me something, leading me to a certain direction, and I completely chickened out. I wasn't strong enough because I could act on what the Lord was telling me. But I had a realization today. God understands. He knows how hard it was, that I am only human - He knows exactly why I could've step up to the call. And instead of picturing Him looking down on me and shaking His head in disappointment, I picture Him smiling comfortingly at me, still loving me, telling me "It's okay, Chanelle. It's okay."
Of course, He would've been absolutely thrilled if I'd had the courage to go forth, despite it all. But he's not ashamed of me because I didn't, and I truly feel that in my heart. He knows my shortcomings, but is patient with them, because He loves me, and as the verse entails - "love is patient." And though undoubtedly it would've been better if I just would've pushed through in His intended direction, things will still come together perfectly. Albeit in a different way, but it still will - I know that.
I finally feel like I'm getting it right again, and it feels amazing
What I've Learned This Week
From May 23, 2010
It became evident to me around early Wednesday morning that God was doing something in my lfe. The pieces were just coming together so well - I knew it was the beginning of something in store, and that His presence was strong.
Sitting here on Sunday afternoon, it has just been further confirmed. There has been one thing especially in particular that God has shown me repeatedly this past week, and it’s mainly summed up to me in Matthew 7:13-14.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Being heavily surrounded by Christians who live very similar lifestyles to me most of the time in New York (ironically, because the Christian presence is small, but it’s strong), I don’t think about it so often. It creates this illusion that so many people are traveling down the narrow path, and with so much support, it doesn’t seem so hard.
But recently, I’ve seen the narrow path for what it truly is - empty. I’m trudging it alone, no one in sight. I picture it overgrown from lack of use; there’s barely even a defined path. And the words of the above verse ring true - and there are few who find it.
It’s striking how much that exact theme has come up amongst my friends this week. The friend I’ve seen all but one night since I’ve been home, the friend hundreds of miles away right now - like God just doesn’t want me to forget that people like me are truly one in a million. People who don’t drink, smoke, or sex, yes, but on a much larger and more important scale than that, people who feel compelled to actually live their lives right.
Why is it so important to know that there really is no one choosing that narrow path? Well, to expose the world as a whole as it really is - lost, hedonistic, and desolate. To encourage me (and anyone else) to stay on the narrow path; it is imperative, because someone has to do it. And lastly, as a calling to try and change the world. There are few of us, but we do exist. It’s fantastic that we choose to walk the narrow path, but it would be even better if we could influence others to do the same.
I’ve told myself before - I have to live my life right, I have to be better than the rest of them. And it’s not a pride thing, it’s not a way to feel better about myself. I have to do it, because someone has to. Someone has to be better, because goodness, this world is so messed, but as long as there’s still some of us fighting down the narrow path, then there’s hope.
It’s so important to share our faith. That’s what we’re here for, after all. I had been wrestling with it a little bit lately, but it is just so crucial. Why don’t we shout it out all the time? Fear, uncertainty…but it’s become increasingly evident to me (mostly thank to a wonderful testimony given by my best friend, Beth, this past week) that every single opportunity should be taken to share the good news. If there’s an opening, jump into it, because there’s not a single person on this Earth who doesn’t need Jesus, whether they realize it or not.
And of course I’ve struggled with the balance of passionately sharing my faith and coming off as overbearing and imposing. And though some discretion should be used, I guess, I realized last night as I was sharing the Gospel for the first time in over a year (which is a dang shame) that there is no balance. You’re either sharing your faith or you’re not. Now there are different approaches for different people, but mentioning Jesus once in a conversation and never bringing it up again because the person doesn’t seem receptive gets us nowhere. So that’s another thing I’ve learned - you can’t be a pansy about it, worrying about stepping on toes, because really, this is a matter of life and death.
Then there’s how all of these spiritual lessons tie into my dream (as in, ideal life direction, not nocturnal visions), which is at least encouraging, which is a nice balance against how discouraging it feels being a minority in every sense of the word. But something good’s gonna come out of it, I know.
So that’s what has been reiterated in my life this week. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) I won’t cite examples, but it is truly striking how much that has come up in life situations this week. But I just encourage my fellow Christians to stay strong - to know that even though there are few of us, we are never truly alone. This world is screwed up - but there is still hope abound. And it starts with us, reaching out, influencing, and most importantly, loving all of those around us. Then God can use us to make a real difference in this world.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
God is good. Have a great day.
It became evident to me around early Wednesday morning that God was doing something in my lfe. The pieces were just coming together so well - I knew it was the beginning of something in store, and that His presence was strong.
Sitting here on Sunday afternoon, it has just been further confirmed. There has been one thing especially in particular that God has shown me repeatedly this past week, and it’s mainly summed up to me in Matthew 7:13-14.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
Being heavily surrounded by Christians who live very similar lifestyles to me most of the time in New York (ironically, because the Christian presence is small, but it’s strong), I don’t think about it so often. It creates this illusion that so many people are traveling down the narrow path, and with so much support, it doesn’t seem so hard.
But recently, I’ve seen the narrow path for what it truly is - empty. I’m trudging it alone, no one in sight. I picture it overgrown from lack of use; there’s barely even a defined path. And the words of the above verse ring true - and there are few who find it.
It’s striking how much that exact theme has come up amongst my friends this week. The friend I’ve seen all but one night since I’ve been home, the friend hundreds of miles away right now - like God just doesn’t want me to forget that people like me are truly one in a million. People who don’t drink, smoke, or sex, yes, but on a much larger and more important scale than that, people who feel compelled to actually live their lives right.
Why is it so important to know that there really is no one choosing that narrow path? Well, to expose the world as a whole as it really is - lost, hedonistic, and desolate. To encourage me (and anyone else) to stay on the narrow path; it is imperative, because someone has to do it. And lastly, as a calling to try and change the world. There are few of us, but we do exist. It’s fantastic that we choose to walk the narrow path, but it would be even better if we could influence others to do the same.
I’ve told myself before - I have to live my life right, I have to be better than the rest of them. And it’s not a pride thing, it’s not a way to feel better about myself. I have to do it, because someone has to. Someone has to be better, because goodness, this world is so messed, but as long as there’s still some of us fighting down the narrow path, then there’s hope.
It’s so important to share our faith. That’s what we’re here for, after all. I had been wrestling with it a little bit lately, but it is just so crucial. Why don’t we shout it out all the time? Fear, uncertainty…but it’s become increasingly evident to me (mostly thank to a wonderful testimony given by my best friend, Beth, this past week) that every single opportunity should be taken to share the good news. If there’s an opening, jump into it, because there’s not a single person on this Earth who doesn’t need Jesus, whether they realize it or not.
And of course I’ve struggled with the balance of passionately sharing my faith and coming off as overbearing and imposing. And though some discretion should be used, I guess, I realized last night as I was sharing the Gospel for the first time in over a year (which is a dang shame) that there is no balance. You’re either sharing your faith or you’re not. Now there are different approaches for different people, but mentioning Jesus once in a conversation and never bringing it up again because the person doesn’t seem receptive gets us nowhere. So that’s another thing I’ve learned - you can’t be a pansy about it, worrying about stepping on toes, because really, this is a matter of life and death.
Then there’s how all of these spiritual lessons tie into my dream (as in, ideal life direction, not nocturnal visions), which is at least encouraging, which is a nice balance against how discouraging it feels being a minority in every sense of the word. But something good’s gonna come out of it, I know.
So that’s what has been reiterated in my life this week. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37) I won’t cite examples, but it is truly striking how much that has come up in life situations this week. But I just encourage my fellow Christians to stay strong - to know that even though there are few of us, we are never truly alone. This world is screwed up - but there is still hope abound. And it starts with us, reaching out, influencing, and most importantly, loving all of those around us. Then God can use us to make a real difference in this world.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13: 1-3
God is good. Have a great day.
"...[Love] keeps no record of wrongs."
From May 21, 2011
I Corinthians 13:5
Every day’s a blank slate. We’re to treat everyone in the same loving manner always, regardless of what they’ve done before. It’s hard to forgive, harder to forget, but we’re called to do both. God doesn’t look at my past. So I won’t look at anyone else’s. I wanna live a life that promotes mercy, grace, forgiveness. And hope for the present and tomorrow, no matter what lies in the past.
Can’t hold on to that stuff. You just can’t.
I Corinthians 13:5
Every day’s a blank slate. We’re to treat everyone in the same loving manner always, regardless of what they’ve done before. It’s hard to forgive, harder to forget, but we’re called to do both. God doesn’t look at my past. So I won’t look at anyone else’s. I wanna live a life that promotes mercy, grace, forgiveness. And hope for the present and tomorrow, no matter what lies in the past.
Can’t hold on to that stuff. You just can’t.
I Corinthians 14:3
From August 1, 2011
I like the New King James Version translation the best. It’s not the one people quote so much, but listen here:
“Love suffers long.”
Most versions tend to say “love is patient.” Aww, that sounds nice. But I like the honest, blunt reality of the NKJV translation. Because let’s face it - love is hard sometimes, and I’m not even talking about little middle school break-ups. I’m not even talking romance at all. Some people are hard to love all the time, but with every person, there’s at least some time where it’s hard to love them.
But love suffers long. So when the going gets tough, you keep pushing through. That translations just says so much more to me than simply “love is patient.” It really pushes through the reality of what Christian love is supposed to be like.
And I love thinking about this passage not just as the way I’m supposed to love, but as the way that Jesus loves me. And it’s pretty amazing that nothing can separate us from that kind of love (Romans 8:38-39) that’s described in I Corinthians 14.
I just got a new Bible because my old one was falling apart - the new one is ESV, which I like, but in this I Corinthians passage specifically, I’m seeing why I think NKJV will always be my favorite. Like I Corinthians 14:8, I love how NKJV says “Love never fails.” It’s just so powerful. Meanwhile, ESV says “Love never ends”, which is still so meaningful, of course, but I just love the weight of “never fails.”
Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts on that.
I like the New King James Version translation the best. It’s not the one people quote so much, but listen here:
“Love suffers long.”
Most versions tend to say “love is patient.” Aww, that sounds nice. But I like the honest, blunt reality of the NKJV translation. Because let’s face it - love is hard sometimes, and I’m not even talking about little middle school break-ups. I’m not even talking romance at all. Some people are hard to love all the time, but with every person, there’s at least some time where it’s hard to love them.
But love suffers long. So when the going gets tough, you keep pushing through. That translations just says so much more to me than simply “love is patient.” It really pushes through the reality of what Christian love is supposed to be like.
And I love thinking about this passage not just as the way I’m supposed to love, but as the way that Jesus loves me. And it’s pretty amazing that nothing can separate us from that kind of love (Romans 8:38-39) that’s described in I Corinthians 14.
I just got a new Bible because my old one was falling apart - the new one is ESV, which I like, but in this I Corinthians passage specifically, I’m seeing why I think NKJV will always be my favorite. Like I Corinthians 14:8, I love how NKJV says “Love never fails.” It’s just so powerful. Meanwhile, ESV says “Love never ends”, which is still so meaningful, of course, but I just love the weight of “never fails.”
Anyway, just wanted to share my thoughts on that.
I Corinthians 13:4-7
From August 3, 2011
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4-7
I am patient and kind. I do not envy or boast. I am not arrogant or rude. I do not insist on my own way. I am not irritable or resentful. I am do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoice with the truth. I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.
—-
We did that exercise up there with Cru last year, and it’s a really convicting, revealing thing - to substitute “I” for “love” in that passage. I just read a devotional that implored me to do the same thing, and let’s face it - I am at best half of those things. Maybe 80% of them on a good day. Practically none of them in my disgruntled state yesterday.
But I want to be all of those things. Not to be “holier than thou”, to be able to say that I am so godly and to feel good about myself, but so I can treat people right, because people need to be treated right. They hardly ever deserve to be, but I don’t think that should stop us. And mostly, I want people to be able to see Jesus’ love through me, so that they can come to know Him and experience it personally for themselves.
It really is all about how you treat people. And I ant to really strive to stop throughout my day and ask myself, “Am I being patient? Am I being kind? Am I exemplifying the love I claim to believe? That I claim dictates my entire life and faith?”
If I’m not, then there’s a problem. I’m saved regardless, I’m loved by God regardless, but I don’t want to stay stagnant in my walk. I don’t want to waste time, having a bad attitude, being absorbed and concerned with myself when there are people out there who need to be touched, reached - who just need to experience real love. I don’t want to be a good person for the sake of being a good person. I want to be a good person for the glory of God. I want to be a good person for the sake of who I come across throughout my life.
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; It does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4-7
I am patient and kind. I do not envy or boast. I am not arrogant or rude. I do not insist on my own way. I am not irritable or resentful. I am do not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoice with the truth. I bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things.
—-
We did that exercise up there with Cru last year, and it’s a really convicting, revealing thing - to substitute “I” for “love” in that passage. I just read a devotional that implored me to do the same thing, and let’s face it - I am at best half of those things. Maybe 80% of them on a good day. Practically none of them in my disgruntled state yesterday.
But I want to be all of those things. Not to be “holier than thou”, to be able to say that I am so godly and to feel good about myself, but so I can treat people right, because people need to be treated right. They hardly ever deserve to be, but I don’t think that should stop us. And mostly, I want people to be able to see Jesus’ love through me, so that they can come to know Him and experience it personally for themselves.
It really is all about how you treat people. And I ant to really strive to stop throughout my day and ask myself, “Am I being patient? Am I being kind? Am I exemplifying the love I claim to believe? That I claim dictates my entire life and faith?”
If I’m not, then there’s a problem. I’m saved regardless, I’m loved by God regardless, but I don’t want to stay stagnant in my walk. I don’t want to waste time, having a bad attitude, being absorbed and concerned with myself when there are people out there who need to be touched, reached - who just need to experience real love. I don’t want to be a good person for the sake of being a good person. I want to be a good person for the glory of God. I want to be a good person for the sake of who I come across throughout my life.
The Church
From November 9, 2011
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
I know there are different denominations for a reason, but I’d definitely like to see a greater unity within the church as a whole. I don’t think it’s practical, obviously, for there to be just one big church (as far as a physical manifestation of the church goes, at least), but when it comes down to it, all Christians are apart of the same greater body. And if different churches made a greater effort to connect with one another instead staying strictly to themselves, I think a greater impact could be made within the communities these churches function in. Not to say that many churches don’t do this already - I know they do - but I’ve also witnessed a sort of rivalry between churches sometimes. Treating another church as lesser because they don’t completely agree with their style. And of course some churches are blatantly teaching the wrong doctrine, but that’s a whole different matter. But as far as “that church worships with modern music and I don’t agree with that” or “that church believes in dancing - I don’t think so” or if a church is too conservative or too liberal - I don’t think that should stop those churches from coming together like the body of Christ is supposed to, because I think the impact could be phenomenal if from time-to-time different churches came together to really do significant outreach.
That’s a big block of text haha Just something on my mind as I read my devotionals.
Also, I’m gonna totally name my songs Crispus and Gaius.
I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
1 Corinthians 1:10-17
I know there are different denominations for a reason, but I’d definitely like to see a greater unity within the church as a whole. I don’t think it’s practical, obviously, for there to be just one big church (as far as a physical manifestation of the church goes, at least), but when it comes down to it, all Christians are apart of the same greater body. And if different churches made a greater effort to connect with one another instead staying strictly to themselves, I think a greater impact could be made within the communities these churches function in. Not to say that many churches don’t do this already - I know they do - but I’ve also witnessed a sort of rivalry between churches sometimes. Treating another church as lesser because they don’t completely agree with their style. And of course some churches are blatantly teaching the wrong doctrine, but that’s a whole different matter. But as far as “that church worships with modern music and I don’t agree with that” or “that church believes in dancing - I don’t think so” or if a church is too conservative or too liberal - I don’t think that should stop those churches from coming together like the body of Christ is supposed to, because I think the impact could be phenomenal if from time-to-time different churches came together to really do significant outreach.
That’s a big block of text haha Just something on my mind as I read my devotionals.
Also, I’m gonna totally name my songs Crispus and Gaius.
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