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Christians
spend way too much time judging themselves and others
according to doctrinal standards. And of all things, we're
even willing to divide ourselves according to our
doctrines of end-time events.
Yet God accepts all who truly embrace His Son by faith.
Doctrine certainly has its place in the church, but
theology is not the whole of life, nor does it produce
life with God. God Himself produces life within us, and
that life expresses itself in our doctrines and
theologies. Our expressions often lack the fullness of
what we see and believe. The human brain is always slow to
catch up to spiritual reality and perfect truth. But as we
cling to the Lord of life, we get better and better at
being able to say what we mean.
Our unity in the church is not based on our various and
changing doctrines but on Jesus Christ Himself. Whoever is
truly bound to Jesus Christ by faith in Him is also
related to everyone else who is related to Him. And that
forms the body of Christ. By grace we grow up, more and
more, into the fullness of Christ (Eph 4). But our actual
growth, as individuals and as a church, depends much on
our daily responses to that grace.
One thing is evident to me about the church, and that is
that we don't know much about the details of the end time,
although many of us think we do. The Scripture has much to
say, but the mortal brain cannot see the picture presented
there. Only as a man grows in his walk with the Lord can
he begin to see more and more of what the Bible reveals
about the future. And no man sees very much on his own. We
are a body in Christ, and each member, as it were, must
share together the tiny bits that we each receive from the
Lord.
As for the rapture, I couldn't care less. Such things are
in God's own hands, and as I said above, we each have only
glimpses. My concern is for today, and how I live my life
before God.
Millions of young children and teens need loving and
devoted parents. Millions of young moms and dads need
hope. And our nation needs clear direction that comes
through faith in Jesus Christ. The crying need in our land
is the Gospel and the application of God's Word to daily
living. The future is taken care of for all who know the
Lord. But not so many really know the Lord.
In years past, I've heard and read too many strange ideas,
and many of those were published by theologians and
learned scholars. But I've also found that I hold Christ
Jesus Himself in common with brothers and sisters from
backgrounds I would never have thought possible.
My wife and I sometimes travel a lot. And we've lived all
over the United States, and even down in Old Mexico. I
remember being so surprised when I first met (in person)
real and vibrant believers who were Catholics, Greek
Orthodox, United Pentecostals (One-ness), all kinds of
Baptists, Holiness, Methodists (in this day and age!),
Presbyterians, and a host of others -- in every place from
Florida, to Indiana, to New York state, to California,
Washington, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, and even my own
home state of Texas, not to mention Georgia, Old Mexico,
Canada, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee,
Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada -- and so on.
Obviously, all these brothers and sisters still held
various ideas that were strange to me, and often difficult
for me to understand, much less believe. The one thing,
however, that we did hold in common was and is Jesus
Christ.
Now, I know that over the years I also have entertained
strange ideas, and a lot of confusion about many things.
In fact, I drifted totally away from the Lord for 12 long
years -- because of my own hardness of heart and my own
ignorance of His good ways. I had a lot of theology and
study inside me, but not very much life and faith. I
started out well, but then I drifted, being ignorant of my
enemy's devices.
That 12-year episode was the greatest lesson God ever
taught me. The Lord Himself straightened me out, when I
was not looking to be corrected or rescued. And He
restored me to Himself, to His good Word in Scripture, and
to His wonderful Presence and power in my life. I was
re-introduced to the joy of my salvation. And I finally
began to understand the depth and power of God's grace. It
was not a theological breakthrough, but a message being
broadcast to my mortal brain by my regenerated heart.
God had first given me saving grace in 1970. But I
despised the gift, not really grasping how precious and
how wonderful it was. And so the enemy was able to deceive
me, to distract me, to talk me out of holding fast to the
hope God had given me. I simply did not understand that I
was in a real war, and that everything -- everything --
was at stake. But when the Lord had allowed me to wander
for 12 years, and then restored me to Himself, I was ready
to pay attention. Like Nebuchadnezzar of old, when I had
been restored to my senses and my rightful place, I was
ready to give glory to the great God who can do anything
He pleases with any of us.
Church membership and participation is valuable to the
Christian life. Singing and worship is like water to a
thirsty land. Sound doctrine can help to make us secure
against the enemy who tries always to undermine our faith
in God, and it provides us good hand-rails, if you will,
for navigating in the dangerous storms of life. But the
only thing that saves us is God Himself -- His great love
for us, His endless grace for us, His hand that no one can
ever break or weaken, and the precious blood of Jesus
Christ that truly makes us clean.
If we have Jesus Christ, then, as our Lord and Savior, we
need not judge each other -- or ourselves -- by the
doctrines which make no eternal differences. Our
fellowship is because of Jesus Christ. Our life is by His
Holy Spirit. Our Father is the same Father in heaven. If
we belong to God, then He will ever draw us to Himself,
and to genuine godliness and faith.
We do well not to stumble over doctrines and silly
arguments. Our strength does not come from being able to
always agree with every idea that others have. Our true
strength does not come from having a perfect understanding
of all teaching. Our strength comes from abiding – from
living and remaining in the Presence of God. Arguments do
not keep us there. But love will call us back.
When we see that we are not where we really should be with
the Lord, we need to return. David wrote this, from years
of experience: "Seek the LORD and
His strength; seek His presence continually." (Psalm
105:4) He had learned the secret. Never stop
seeking to draw near to the Lord, and to remain in His
Presence.
And another Psalm says:
I keep the LORD always before me;
because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad,
and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol,
or let your faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm
16:8-11)
Jim
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