Devotional - July 31, 2004

Attending a play where one of my grandchildren was playing a part, I was introduced to another church congregation last night. As we entered the auditorium, we received information about the church that was hosting the event. The play was good and I was proud of my little girl, but I was thinking most of the night about that church as I read of their doctrine and worship.

Nondenominational in nature, and somewhat Calvinistic in nature, this congregation is nevertheless non-apologetic for its doctrinal beliefs. While different from mainstream denominations, they follow the pattern of the "ancient" church, as they referred to it. Although I saw no gray hair, I'd not be surprised to find they employ an elder form of church authority. They profess to believe discipleship is the main element of the Great Commission of our Lord. They view salvation as the first step in committing more time, money and resources to people after conversion than before. These folk are my brothers in the Lord.

You might be wondering what this example has to do with the focal verse in Romans. Let me say that God has impressed me with the fact that many people love the Lord Jesus who don't practice their faith in the way I do. And many of them do things I don't believe have a place in the house of the Lord, but that doesn't mean they are not my brothers.

Too many church members act like they're standing alone without any need for the greater part of the Body of Christ. And many mainstream denominationalists believe such "splinter" groups are rebels by another name and have no relevance to God's work today.

The simple truth of the matter is that none of us exist solely for self-gratification. Every church using the word of God as a foundation of their faith shares a common denominator. His Name is Jesus and as I said before, he is not a denominationalist.

If I were you, I wouldn't plan on bragging on "your" idea of church when you get to heaven. God didn't create denominations and when it's all said and done, I'm afraid we'll find the word we've created is either a synonym for ignorance or an antonym for reconciliation in the language of heaven.

1 Developed from Read the Bible Thru ( 2 Ch. 29:1-36 Rm. 14:1-23 Ps. 24:1-10 Pr. 20:12 )
2. Scripture comes from the Holy Bible, New International Version; (c)1978 by New York International Bible Society