What Ever Happened to Community?
Last night I watch the movie 'Defiance.' It is the true story about Russian Jews who were forced to live in the forest for almost three years during WWII. In it, one of the encampment members brings to the attention of the camps leader the importance of community; that inspite of the circumstances around them, their survival depended on more than just out living the war, but they must also maintain a sense of community, order, structure, respect, traditions such a Holy matrimony, and religious observations. The Body of Christ is both more united and divided than ever. We have lost the call to community that was charged to us and that we witness in Acts 2:42-47.
How are we both united and divided? Look throughout this website. Right here, on this very website, most of the 10,000 and counting members are professing Christians (but not all). We all gather here because we are all like moths to the flame of righteousness, the fire of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, drawn by the brilliant light of His truth. And yet you can randomly pick and choose any 10 member pages and read some of the most bizarre and strange teachings and beliefs. As a result, those who have an 'all doctrines welcomed' philosophy turn away from those who hold to a biblical absolute with what 'they' label as it's various limitations, restrictions, and mandates concerning the practice of the Christian faith. And, inversely, those who hold to what 'they' deem to be, more sound and solid Holy Bible-based teaching and practice, tend to turn there noses up and their eyes down to those who appear to have an inferior understanding of the importance of biblical authority and it's contents. How can we be a communtiy of believers, serving one God, having one Faith, experiencing one baptism, and yet have 6,000 different views about the living God who revealed Himself to us? We are not exempt from the correction of God. Let those among us who are false be corrected, be saved, or be ex-communicated for the sack of His community.
It is my prayer that the Lord God the Father, in the name of His Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, restore to us a sense of community. However, HE defines it. That He would show us all the ERROR of our ways, that we all may be humbled and return to a place of faith, hope, and love. May He restore unto us Community.
Be a blessing - Matt. 5:16
How are we both united and divided? Look throughout this website. Right here, on this very website, most of the 10,000 and counting members are professing Christians (but not all). We all gather here because we are all like moths to the flame of righteousness, the fire of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, drawn by the brilliant light of His truth. And yet you can randomly pick and choose any 10 member pages and read some of the most bizarre and strange teachings and beliefs. As a result, those who have an 'all doctrines welcomed' philosophy turn away from those who hold to a biblical absolute with what 'they' label as it's various limitations, restrictions, and mandates concerning the practice of the Christian faith. And, inversely, those who hold to what 'they' deem to be, more sound and solid Holy Bible-based teaching and practice, tend to turn there noses up and their eyes down to those who appear to have an inferior understanding of the importance of biblical authority and it's contents. How can we be a communtiy of believers, serving one God, having one Faith, experiencing one baptism, and yet have 6,000 different views about the living God who revealed Himself to us? We are not exempt from the correction of God. Let those among us who are false be corrected, be saved, or be ex-communicated for the sack of His community.
It is my prayer that the Lord God the Father, in the name of His Son Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, restore to us a sense of community. However, HE defines it. That He would show us all the ERROR of our ways, that we all may be humbled and return to a place of faith, hope, and love. May He restore unto us Community.
Be a blessing - Matt. 5:16
Comment
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Comment by Ebony moore on June 12, 2009 at 10:59pm
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Amen!
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Comment by T.L. Hawkins on June 12, 2009 at 11:45am
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A very true and powerful message. HE THAT HATH EARS TO HEAR....LET HIM HEAR!!!!
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