Did you know that when Jesus walked the earth there were no denominations? There were no Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist churches or any other denominations for that matter during His life and ministry on earth. When Jesus went into the cities and towns he taught messages about following Him and the Father God. There were no teachings encouraging the people to follow religion. In fact when Jesus died, was raised from the dead and went up to heaven to sit at the right hand of God, his disciples were sent by God to teach the people to continue to follow Jesus and His teachings. In one particular teaching the apostle Paul reminds us to love one another and work together with one mind and one purpose: “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. 3 Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God,he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names,10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:2-11
So why are there so many “religions”? Before his death, the apostle Paul warned the people that “wolves” were going to come and cause division, (wolves that scatter sheep – Acts 20:29) and so that is why thousands of years later we have a “Church On Every Corner”. We as the body of Christ as a whole no longer continue in the inspired teachings of God through Paul. God’s people stopped working together with “one mind and one purpose”. If you look at the “church” then, (“church” simply means “the body of Christ because he dwells/lives in the believer “And Christ lives within you… Romans 8:10 NLT) Now I am not saying that because you belong to a denomination or non-denominational church is bad. I am saying that our different “churches” are an exact result of what Paul taught us. We began to become divided in our doctrines and we have chosen to say that “our’ church has it right and the “other” church has it wrong. In my personal opinion and through my studies and understanding of religion is many of us have a “measure” of the truth. The scriptures say “Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn’t really know very much.” 1 Corinthians 8:2. So what do we do? Do we stop going to church all together? No! Absolutely not! BUT we can do what Jesus says, “deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me“. Christian, our safety net is what does Jesus say? What did Jesus do? If your pastor, reverend or priest is teaching you by the inspiration of God to “follow Jesus” If they are teaching the words of Jesus, then you are in a good place. If they are not, then I would encourage you to find a church that does. Simple. But remember, no matter what church you choose to attend, it is YOUR responsibility to follow Jesus. Live by Faith, Love your Neighbor by helping them (John 15, James 2), ” And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us.” 1John 3:23 NLT.
Pastor Nina Tidwell – Ponce Church – See what I’m up to on Facebook
