I've been privileged to visit the Mid-west several times now. Montana is my favorite state! During a trip through Virginia City, Montana, we found the most unique little gift shop. It's called 'Fence-Post Originals'. A gifted craftsman makes beautiful oil lamps, salad bowl sets, candle holders, etc. from old Montana fence-posts. It's the neatest thing! While speaking with him about his craft, he told me that once upon a time a man could ride for days on his horse enjoying the land the Good Lord gave us and not encounter a single fence. Then people got greedy & suspicious. Unable to get along and share the land anymore- practicality demanded they start putting up fences and defining property lines. Now, many of the original fences are collapsing. This man takes his truck out to ranches all over Montana, picks up the old fence-posts & makes souvenirs out of them. He says he's glad to see the fences come down. I guess his sentiment stayed with me...
I often think of fences in relation to religion. There are SO many beliefs and interpretations of the scriptures. People feel strongly that their point of view is correct- everyone else has it wrong, so we have hundreds of different denominations- each just as sure as the rest that their particular faith has it right. What if we ALL have more to learn? Jesus' prayer in John 17 was that believers be united. He was so passionate about it! Yet how many friendships dare to cross denominational fences these days? I believe Heaven is near- there will be NO fences there. Why don't we learn to get along down here? God has opened my eyes to see beyond denominational boundaries. There are precious people everywhere doing the best they know how. In Jn. 17:17 Jesus says, "Sanctify them by Your Truth, Thy Word is Truth." (He's NOT talking about the Bible here as many teach, He is speaking of HIMSELF- the Christ.) "I AM the way, THE TRUTH, and the Life." In John 1:1, in reference to Jesus, we are told "In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God." We aren't sanctified by the Bible or written word, but by Jesus Christ Himself- the LIVING Word!
My husband & I have worked with Habitat for Humanity. It was a little foretaste of Heaven. A crew of people from all different religious backgrounds came together for the common good of someone else. What church each of us attended did not matter- there was mutual respect. We were united in our love for Christ and for helping a poor family who needed a home. It brings tears to my eyes even now as I think of the precious harmony we feel with those people... I'm not saying compromise truth, I'm saying we should be uncompromising when it comes to love. It didn't take long for the early church to start putting up fences. Paul repeatedly called for unity in Christ, but the Christians were inclined to take pride in following the teachings of one leader or another, and got side-tracked debating things like circumcision, meat-eating & feast days. They were divided. Perhaps there are still too many fences among us today??
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4 comments:
It's always bothered me how exclusionary some churches can be. Religious (and other) prejudices still run deep. I mean, Irish Catholics and Protestants are still killing each other after centuries of senseless bloodshed. I believe there's plenty of room at the foot of the cross for people who have different understandings on lesser theological particulars. As long as the doctrinal essentials are based solidly on the Bible God's Spirit has plenty of room to work. I suppose the debate then becomes "what are doctrinal essentials" but ultimately, God's "Church" (capital "C") has far less to do with the "churches" (little "c") we humans have defined than we would like to think. The mystery really is why God chooses to use our feeble attempts to share His Perfect Truth at all. It's a testimony to His Grace that He would choose any of us to represent Him.
Preach it, sista! Christianity is a joke to many because of all the differences and inconsistencies. If Christ is real, then christianity should be a unifying factor not another reason to argue and fuss.
Farmboy,
It looks like the Protestants, for all their good intentions have gone to the wrong extreme. During the Reformation they were giving up their property and their lives, but not any more. Now they are willing to do anything to keep what they have. The mindset has changed significantly. Back then they sounded forceful, yet really were daring and brave. The religious landscape has changed somewhat since those days, but the basic issues really are still present--will we give the Bible a chance to open our communication with God, to think on our own, to question and investigate in freedom from reprisal for doing so, to arrive at truth, the truth, that is, about faith and love. The Lord leaves room for revenge, but people aren't the enemy, sin and self are the enemy. The devil is the enemy. We are our own biggest enemy. An exchange of opposing ideas is even healthy because truth can afford to be fair.
Arguing religion doesn't really benefit anyone. Im trying to learn to be less argumentative. As a Baptist, I dont think its fair to lump all Protestants into the stereotype David just placed them in. There are still very many who would give their homes and their lives for the cause of Christ. Protestant missionaries around the world are jailed and killed every year for Jesus Christ. Cassie Bernall and another little girl were shot to death for their faith at Columbine. We are not all selling out!
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