Agree or Disagree part 2

Gospel Light

The Perspective is to See through God's Eyes

In my last post, we considered division in the church. My view is that there is no place for it in the church. However, it doesn't matter what I think, only God. Paul, inspired by God, said, "...make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves;" Philippians 2:2, 3

If we are to consider others more important than ourselves, how should we view the opinion of the ever-existent, eternal life and creator of all things? Do we believe God's thoughts are higher than ours? We don't think so when our interpretation of scripture contradicts His.

At this point, my readers may think, I only know what I know, and if I disagree with others, we'll have to disagree. To my dear reader, thinking such thoughts carefully, consider the following. A literal rendering of Revelation foretells a thousand-year reign of Christ in prophetic fulfillment of David's descendent ruling through Israel upon his throne over the nations. Furthermore, Old and New Testament saints will reign with Him at that time. What we now know of division in the church will be swept away by divine command. Sinners will continue to be born, live, and be obedient to their divine king or face harsh judgment. Can it be done? Absolutely. So why can't it be done in the church today, as it will be done in the world of tomorrow?

Answer! Identification with Christ is no longer a staple of doctrine or practice in the church. "For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all; therefore all died; 15 and He died for all so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf." 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 What do these verses have to do with divisions in the church?

If you were to pour yourself into the writing of a book and then hand it out to one hundred people, and when they returned, they proceeded to tell you what you meant by what you wrote, how would you feel? You can believe this is true; when Jesus returns, all false teachings will be swept away. Wouldn't you rather do the hard work of correcting it now than face His disappointment then?

The reasons for divisions in the church are:

Carnal living.

Living for self.

Not living for Jesus.

Not loving Jesus.

Not loving Jesus' word.

When we are all maturing as we should, calling sin, sin, lovingly calling out our brother's sins, and repenting as we should of our own, then will we be of one mind. Until then, we dishonor Christ and do not walk in a manner worthy of our calling.