These are some thoughts I wrote down during a session of our mini debrief last week.
As I’m sitting here listening to “Rising sun” by a duo called All Sons and Daughters, I look up and see everyone else on the squad worshiping the Lord however they see fit. The differences in culture and belief, evident from the first look up. The voices crying out to God and the voice quietly contemplating the Lord. The bodies that stand tall and the ones lying face down. The people sitting and thinking through what is about to happen and the ones dancing without a worry in the world. Engorging themselves in the father’s spirit as they ready themselves for following Him. The sight is extraordinary.
The thought that such opposite personalities could be in the same room is preposterous to some. The thought that the church could come together in the face of such differing beliefs is near impossible, right?
What kind of person in their right mind would allow themselves in the presence of those crazies who say they speak in tongues?
What kind of person who doesn’t believe in those gifts of the spirit would willingly submit themselves to enduring those who do believe it freely?
“Those people can go to that other church if they want to do that.” we’ve heard said.
“Don’t talk to them, their crazy.” We say.
“Why can’t we just go to another church so we don’t have to deal with them.” We say
The answer to these questions are super simple, yet people make them tremendously difficult to answer because there is so much pride in the world.
Who cares if they believe in tongues?
Who cares if they believe in prophecy?
Who cares if they dance in song?
Why does that keep us from going to a church service with them?
Why does that keep us from befriending them?
WE ARE ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST.
We ALL share in the gift of the Gospel.
We ALL believe that Christ came to an IMPERFECT world to be the PERFECT sacrifice so we could spend eternity with the father.
That is the cornerstone of our faith. That God was sick of watching his children suffer and run away from him. Out of compulsion He sent His son into the world, to teach the world of Him. Then to ultimately die on the cross. Not because that alone would save people, everyone dies. But because of what happened three days later is what saved everyone.
Christ arose from his tomb and walked, made fully alive by the LORD. Conquering death that Satan had assured our world would receive.
If this is the cornerstone of our relationship with the Lord, and if this sacrifice truly was for everyone. Then what in the world is going on?! Why are we so divided?
Who cares what someone believes on tongues or prophecy or anything else of that nature. They are children of God!
Do any of those things have anything to do with one’s salvation? NO!
Does any of that force you to do something that keeps others from knowing the love of the Lord?
No, as long as Christ is the one they cling to for leadership.
If Jesus is the one you look to for guidance and you are truly walking in obedience to him, than there is nothing to fear.
Don’t worry about what others believe. I suggest next time you think someone crazy, don’t judge based on what you read out of a famous authors book.
Next time I challenge you to pick up the one book that actually does matter (the Word of God) and check.
1st. Is this something that either hinders God’s work, goes against His word, or keeps true salvation from anyone?
2nd. Is this simply a prejudice I carry?
3rd. Do I know what I believe, or do I just believe what others tell me to?
4th. Is my heart in the right place?
Just because someone doesn’t work the same way as you, doesn’t make you right and them wrong, nor does it make them right and you wrong.
Trust the LORD’s word and trust his wisdom and judgment. That is all that matters.
