Last Sunday, Pastor Herk of Little Church in the Pines preached a spiritual message based upon six words that come from the General Epistle of 1 Peter that are relevant in the body of Christ (the body of Believers in the church). It is obvious that we are living in a very divided and disruptive world today, including within the Christian church universally. The world and this nation are in a chaotic state right now with polarity, not unity. We are not talking about personal likes or dislikes, opinions or preferences based on natural personality, the family that we were raised in, the environment in which we live, what we learn and have experienced in life. A clique in the social sciences, is a group of individuals who interact with one another and share similar interests. Interacting with cliques is part of normative social development regardless of gender, ethnicity or popularity. But, God did not intend isolation. All personalities, giftedness, genres and styles are to be honored, respected, expressed and valued for their diversity within godly boundaries and limits. Social interaction between all people in benefitable to community and necessary.
What you allow into your mind, what you choose to see, hear, read or think about will determine your direction you move, speak and act towards. Distractions, deceptions, falsehoods and indoctrination can manipulate our path and way. Every few years, something new comes out and gains popularity as the latest trend, becoming the new craze or fad that the crowd flocks to, until the next one comes out. There is a difference between “wants’ and “needs”. Life is not about entertainment. How do we determine true needs? There are significant and insignificant things in our lives. What can we afford and what can we not afford to live without? We must ask these questions about the Christian church also. If people are coming into the church of Jesus Christ to be entertained, then they are there for the wrong reason. Why do we come to church? To praise and worship God together. The Christian church need to decide what they believe, what is essential and what they will do about those beliefs while focusing on the godly things that bring us together and unite us in a disrupted world.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
One of the main and most essential truths is that the Bible is the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. Another essential truth is that Jesus, the Christ, is the eternal Son of God. Supernaturally, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life. God sent His Son in the flesh to die an atoning death on the Cross to atone for the sins of the world. Then Jesus miraculously rose from the dead per the Scriptures and ascended to the Father and is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven, interceding for His Believers until He comes again to take us home. 1 Peter 1:18a, 19-21 says, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.” Hebrews 12:2 confirms that, “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Let's continue pastor Herk's message on unity centered on Jesus Christ in the next post.
In Christ, Brian
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