Recently, FlowRivers got
a great comment/question from one of the readers. I thought it was such a great
question that I wanted to devote an entire post to it. One of the things that
is so evident is the enemy's first and most consistent trick, which is to
separate humanity from God. One of the methods that he uses frequently is
disagreement. He introduced just enough doubt in the mind of Eve that she chose
to move in a manner that absolutely opposed God given instructions. Because
much of what the Kingdom of God is built upon is love, unity and agreement, the
enemy consistently moves in areas of disagreement. By creating and perpetuating
variance and incongruity among believers with not only the Word of God and its
application, but also with our interaction with each other and God, we are held
back from truly coming together as one (John 17:20-23). If I can isolate you
and get you to stand firmly in a fragmented and disorganized place, then you
will not ever come together as one body of Christ. It is our hope that this question
prompts all of us to deep thought about what it really means to be a Christian
today. Feel free to comment...
"Yes
I am a Christian but what does that really mean today as so many fundamental
ideologies have changed in the church's viewpoint of right and wrong?"
~Anonymous
Hello Anonymous,
Your admission of being a Christian is a great place to begin. Being a Christian believer means that you have made a choice to submit your life to God. In doing that, we must allow Him to guide our daily walk and lifestyle. You are correct in your assertion that there are many fundamental ideologies that have changed over time. Humans will often have varying points of view and/or interpretations of the bible which are at times diametrically opposed. In light of that fact, it is our responsibility as believers to pray and ask the Lord to help establish a few non-negotiable tenets or foundational beliefs of our faith that are in line with scripture. There is always plenty of room for discussion about specific issues relative to lifestyle but there is much less wiggle room when we are talking about the life that Jesus lived and asks all Christian believers to exemplify. We must all work through the interpretations of what it means to be a Christian in the 21st century through the lens of the first church of the New Testament. We find that there were many occasions even back then, where there were disagreements about how to live a life that is pleasing to God. In short, we have to really practice to not major on the minor points of contention in our understanding of God’s plan. Ultimately the church’s varying viewpoints of right and wrong cannot be used in our defense on judgment day. God will most certainly be concerned with how well we lived our lives in accordance to what we ABSOLUTELY knew He required. By working on being consistent with the things that seem basic or primary such as establishing a prayer life daily and studying the word of God, I know that whatever side of the argument you land on will be a safe place. Be encouraged anonymous, you have made a great decision to live a life of submission to God! You may grow frustrated with the church’s inability at times to come together, but you will never regret the decision to connect and develop a true relationship with the Lord. Be Blessed!
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
