Non-Christians, do not read this. It will be depressing.
A few weeks ago I told my family that wearing a mask would become a “fellowship issue” among Christians. Last week I told a few others the same thing.
In the past two days I have seen this exact thing happen all over Social Media. It is disappointing. It is saddening.
Churches are already divided among races: white churches, black churches, Asian churches, Korean churches, Hispanic churches, etc. This is also disappointing. It is saddening.
Now, we are in a worldwide panic over a virus. Honestly, I do not care what you think about masks. I mean that in a nice way, but I really do not care.
For years, Christians have divided over stupid stuff: color of carpet, which songbook to use, translations, steeple or no steeple, Bible class or no Bible class Communion tray lids on or off when you pray, and the list could go on.
Now, fellowship is being broken over masks.
The first century church dealt with real persecution, real death because of beliefs and real hatred.
What have we come to? What will we allow to get in our way among our brethren?
The world is watching. The world needs Christians to be lights now more than ever.
We, as a people are more scared of a virus than we are of going to Hell. Think about that.
I heard a few years ago that “there are things worse than death.” Remember that.
That is all. Go resume your bickering on Facebook now.
To my non-Christian friends, I am sorry you have to see Christians bickering like spoiled little children. Please accept my apologies.
“This world is not my home, I’m just a passin’ through…”
Just a thought,

“Sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
When you think about those words, they are untrue.
We think we fool ourselves by saying them; but the truth is, words hurt.
There are words of encouragement, but when do we use them? God’s revealed word informs us to continually encourage one another (Hebrews 3:13).
Not only do words cut our heart, they influence others.
Think of all the religious names in your community. Chances are they number more than the fingers on your hand and the toes on your feet. There are too many!
All those names hurt everyone. It is a shame each group cannot throw down their name, their creed, their doctrine and abide in the doctrine of Christ.
Think about this quote from John Wesley:
“Would God that all party names and unscriptural phrases and forms which have divided the Christian world were forgotten and that we, as humble loving disciples, might sit down at the Master’s feet, read His Holy Word, imbibe His Spirit and transcribe His life into our own…With regard to the name Christian, I would say, there is none like it; give it to me, and in life and in death I would glorify God in this name.”
What about you?
Will you leave all names and just be a Christian?
Will you leave all books and believe the Bible?
Just some thoughts,

A few years ago, I strolled up to a door of a nearby house without a thought in my head, as I began to knock on the door I looked around to my see my door-knocking partner one house down. He had already knocked on the door and was passing along information about the upcoming gospel meeting. As the door opened I invited the resident to our meeting and heard the fateful words, “Sorry, I’m Baptist.” I gladly smiled, handed the resident some information and proceeded back to the road to walk to another house. As I told me friend the news, he smiled and told me he had gotten the same response. I asked what he said to the lady and his response was simple, “That’s OK, you can come too.”
How many times have we let our religion get in the way of truly seeking to understand the message of the Father and His Son?
If you have done any door-knocking you have heard them all…
“I’m Baptist.” “I’m Methodist.” “I’m Lutheran.” “I’m Presbyterian.” “I’m Episcopalian.” “I’m Mormon.” “I’m Catholic.” “I’m Pentecostal.” “I’m Church of Christ.” (yeah, I have heard that one too.) “I’m Community Church.” “I’m First Baptist.” “I’m ______________________.”
All of those labels and nothing about, “I’m with Jesus.”
I often wonder what Peter, James and John would say when asked with what religious group they identified. I have found a pretty close answer in Acts 4…
“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.”
(The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ac 4:13). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.)
Did you read that? “And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” They knew that Peter and John were not educated at the greatest schools or the greatest secular teachers, but they realized they had been with Jesus.
Can people tell you have been with Jesus?
The labels of this world should mean nothing to us, instead our focus should be the label of “Christian.”
While the disciples of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch, the name with which their character was founded has become the focus of their lives. Even today, Christians are seeking the majesty of the Creator God and that, only that should be the continual goal of our lives. Being close to the Father is not a position to be won, but a life to behold.
Can those around us see that the religious labels of the day hold nothing to the power of the Almighty?
Our lives should not be a reflection of the building we attend, but the life we are following!
Just some thoughts,
