Doing some online study tonight, I found some cool scripture references regarding the love of Christ as well as loving one another that we all need to be reminded of…God is good!

Philippians 2:2 (NASB)

2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.

 

John 13:35 (NASB)

35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

 

Colossians 3:14 (NASB)

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

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Regarding divisions…

1 Corinthians 1:12–13 (NASB)

12 Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.”

13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

While the above scripture is clear that Christ isn’t divided…his people can be. Check this out…

1 Corinthians 11:19 (NASB)

19 For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

I have personally grown weary of all the ‘denominational cold wars’ that are going on today..I have thoughts on this myself..but Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (carm.org) had an article that sums them up way better than I can express:

It is all right to have differences of opinion on the non-essential matters like worship styles or days, pre-trib rapture, post-trib rapture, Arminianism, Calvinism, etc. Whether you believe one or the other, do not affect salvation. Yet far too many Christians use these non-essential differences as justification for division and sometimes even insight anger. When this occurs, the love of God in our hearts is sacrificed to our pride. Instead of saying to one another, "I am right and you are wrong," we should be saying something like, "It is certainly possible that you are correct.  Now, let’s work together to glorify God and expand His kingdom."  Perhaps this is too simplistic, but at least it displays an attitude of humility that helps to bring unity.  It is the devil that wants us to fall into the self abuse of division and bickering.

For better or worse, I tend to question everything…yes, it gives me grief sometimes..but I have yet to examine a Gospel truth that didn’t stand up to the scrutiny. I am most certainly convinced that God is far more loving, far more compassionate and far,far more powerful than we can even imagine. He gave us life..He has a purpose for us. That’s humbling and mind-blowing at the same time. It is not a chore to worship in response when you see what God has done and catch a glimpse of who He is…the Gospel is truly "good news". Thank you Jesus for reaching down to us!

Let us love one another with the love of Christ….

Another rambling Sunday night blog…

Be encouraged. God is good. Know it, believe it!

jamie