This Wednesday is "See You At The Pole" http://www.syatp.com/home/ This is a time when students will gather at their school's flagpole to pray for their friends, teachers, country and the world. Its one of the great events of the new school year. Because of this event of prayer, I am reminded of our pledge, "one nation, under God, indivisible," which we really don't seem to be these days. Thank God we are still one nation. Whether or not we are under God depends on who you ask. Which brings me to the realization that there seems to be quite a bit of division in our country today. I would say “yes” to a poll that asked if we should leave "under God" in the pledge and "in God we trust" on our money. I want my country to be thought of as a Christian nation. But as I look closely in the scriptures there is another nation I should pray for. This nation should take priority even over my America. 1Peter 2:9 states "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" Hey, did you see it? Christians are a race, a holy nation. Where you live does not matter. The color of your skin does not matter. Christians in the USA are a part of this nation. Christians in Asia are a part of this nation. Christians in Europe are a part of this nation. Christians all over the world are a part of this one nation. We should declare "One Nation, Under God, Indivisible" over the church. We need to see ourselves as "a people,” a single race. Our skin color or our place of residence in this world doesn't matter. What matters is the new birth, have you been born again. Have you been born into this great family of God. I have brothers and sisters all over the world and we are all a part of this one nation. Christians can declare that we are one nation, under God. However, just as our United States of America can be divided on many issues, so can our Christian Nation. Many times points of doctrine keep us separated behind the closed doors of our denominations. I believe it is time for all Christians to come together on the main points of salvation and agree to disagree on those issues that do not have a direct influence on the new birth. Beth Moore explained it well: “What do we do about all our very real differences? I am a visual learner and some years ago as I first grappled with a strong burden toward unity in the body, God illustrated a concept to me through a diagram of a skeleton. I believe He showed me that among believers in the body of Christ there are spine issues of great importance and rib issues of less importance.
Spine issues comprise the backbone of our faith. They are biblical tenets of such importance that disagreement may mean one of us is in Christ and the other is not. Or they mean that one is highly deceived and the other is walking in Truth. Rib issues, in contrast, do not involve matters that threaten to break the back. Some of them may be important to us, but they are not matters of eternal life and death. Differences in rib issues tend to be more interpretive and less heretical.”
“…talk about these…But if you end up in debates, arguments, or offenses, the point will be lost! The goal is to realize that we don’t have to agree on rib issues. We can still thoroughly love one another even if we remain mystified as to how the other grew that odd rib. Questions arising from our difference can also cause us to run to God’s Word and see if what we believe is biblically sound.”
“OK, I’ll throw out a few of my spine issues: Jesus is the only way, truth, and life, and no one gets to God any other way (John 14:6)… I also believe Christ’s bodily resurrection is an absolute tenet of the Christian faith (1 Cor 15:22-23)… What about rib issues? Spiritual gifts, stands of the end times, and styles of worship.”
It is time for the church to be unified and undivided. Let us as Christians come together on the doctrines of salvation that we do agree on and spread the good news to all who have ears to hear.
2Chronicles 7:14 is a well known scripture that Christians in America have applied to pray for our great country. In light of what 1Peter 2:9 says about Christians being a nation, let’s apply 2Chronicles 7:14 to the church:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
This scripture is repentance in a nutshell. It is time for Christians to be sure they are right with God because 1Peter 4:17 says, For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
The ladies at First Baptist Church have begun the Beth Moore lecture series on Revelation called "Here and Now...There and Then." In the introductory video Beth challenged us to journal how God reveals Himself to us during the next 10 weeks. I love the idea of journaling, I'm just not very faithful to it. I am glad she gave us this assignment because it made me stop and think about my relationship with the Father, God. I think maybe I have been taking for granted the moments that He does reveal Himself to me. I can enjoy a beautiful sunrise and even meditate on the fact that God is the creator of such a wonderful marvel. However, if I go further and ask myself "how is God revealing Himself to me in this sunrise?" my heart opens up to a fresh unveiling to who He is! As the sun rises in the east I am reminded of Genesis 8:22, "While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease". God proves Himself faithful to that promise everyday. So since according to the word of God, I can trust that the sun will rise in the east each day, I can trust in the Lord with all of my heart and lean not to my own understanding. In all of my ways I will submit to Him and He will direct my paths. (Prov. 3:5-6) Lord, You have revealed Yourself trustworthy.
