My thought for the day……
After having kids and now grandkids, I’ve noticed something they all have in common. They all pick on each other. Whether it’s with their words, an inconspicuous slap on the back of another’s head, or an all out assault to gain ownership of their “newly claimed” favorite toy, they constantly pick on one another. It escalates to the point where mom or dad eventually cries out, “Why can’t you just get along with your brothers and sisters!!!”
As Christians, sometimes we act the same way as kids. We pick on each other. And not just anyone, but our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Why? Well, that’s easy. It’s because they are not like us! Don’t they know that we are right? That we have all the answers? That all truth has been revealed to us? “Why can’t everyone see that and be like me?” Hmmmm, Houston, we have a problem…..
Folks, it’s time for change. It’s time for ALL OF US to grow up. We should be as adamant about using our words to encourage one another, as we are about correcting them, judging them, and showing them “the way.” In the Gospel of Mark, John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.” “Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. (Mark 9:38-40 NLT)
Just because someone isn’t “part of our group” does not mean Jesus isn’t using them. If they are a believer then they are our brothers and sisters. Face it, we don’t ALL believe exactly the same. And we never will while living here on earth. But……we are a body; the body of Christ. Different people, yet one body. Different parts, yet all connected. When we believe in Jesus, we are all one body. Then it’s up to Jesus to put each part where they belong. In God’s master painting we are the “dots” but HE is the One who connects the dots.
It’s time to stop identifying ourselves as a follower of Apollos or Paul, Prince or Copeland, Hagee or Osteen; or as a Baptist or Charismatic, Methodist or Catholic, Mega-Church goer or Country Church goer. No more Grace versus Law, Contemporary versus Traditional, or Hymns versus Choruses. We are ONE BODY. We are not choosing sides! There is only one side that matters, and that is to be inSIDE Jesus with Him inSIDE us. When we do this, we will all be on the SAME SIDE, pulling together in unity, while operating in the power that comes with it. Our confidence is IN HIM and HIM alone. Just be the part God has created YOU to be and let HIM do the correcting and the connecting. I don’t want God to feel the need to lean over and whisper to Jesus, “Why can’t they just get along with their brothers and sisters?”
Think about it.
In Him,
Pastor Kevin Kinchen
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