{"id":3479,"date":"2016-06-12T09:00:53","date_gmt":"2016-06-12T14:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3479"},"modified":"2016-05-03T16:30:32","modified_gmt":"2016-05-03T21:30:32","slug":"choose-to-have-a-unity-of-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/barbdahlgren.com\/?p=3479","title":{"rendered":"Choose to Have a Unity of Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another Year of Choices<\/em><\/p>\n

By Barbara Dahlgren<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Why<\/a>The idea of Christian denominations is an interesting one. Some ask, \u201cIf God is so intent on unity of the faith, why are there so many denominations?\u201d (Ephesians 4:13) I must admit I used to find this puzzling. How can all these denominations be right? How can all these denominations be wrong? It is an enigma.<\/p>\n

There are certain biblical beliefs we might call core values. Some of these would be believing there is one God, Jesus is His Son, Jesus came to earth, Jesus died for our sins, and Jesus rose again. However, there is much in other areas left up to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If the Holy Spirit is guiding people who are seeking to serve God and worship Him in spirit and truth, then we must assume there are a variety of ways to do so since there are so many denominations. (John 4:24) This shouldn\u2019t be hard to accept since God loves variety and diversity.<\/p>\n

Unity and diversity are two different things. Christian unity involves core values and beliefs, the trunk of the tree so to speak. Diversity on the other hand is how we choose to worship, trust, obey, believe, and have faith \u2013 the limbs and twigs of the tree, so to speak.<\/p>\n

Some call the Bible the instruction book for the saints. In that book, God has made certain instructions plain and simple, but in other areas He has left much room for Spirit-led interpretation. To be on safe ground we need to be praying, studying the Bible, meditating on Scripture, doing our best to implement what we learn in our lives, and not condemning others who may not see eye-to-eye with us on everything.<\/p>\n

Ah, therein lies the danger! Condemnation! (Romans 2:1; 14:9-11) In the past, some denominations were presumptuous enough to claim they were the \u201cone\u201d true church and judged others who did not agree with them in these diverse areas. However, God seems to give quite a bit of latitude in many areas even if man does not. Jesus, himself, defied traditions and looked not to pomp and circumstance, but to a person\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

Some denominations prefer to worship systems more than Christ, making traditions of the past more important than the desire to change for the present or future. Others feel their way is the only way to Christ, which sort of limits God and gives an exclusive rather than inclusive view of the church.<\/p>\n

\"Ecclesia<\/a><\/p>\n

Consider this\u2026 When \u201cchurch\u201d is mentioned in the Bible it is not referring to a denomination. In the Greek it is \u201cecclesia\u201d meaning \u201cthose who have been called out.\u201d They have been \u201ccalled out\u201d of a world that rejects God and \u201cinto\u201d a fellowship with God and others who believe in Him. These \u201cecclesia\u201d could very well be found in every denomination. You might recognize them because they won\u2019t be condemning others who believe in Jesus but have a slightly different way of serving Him. They will be practicing the love of God and be focused on the trunk of the tree, not the twigs.<\/p>\n

Suggestions for practicing this choice\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n