Debate

Debate. That’s what they call it, but it has become less debate and more like mud slinging, back-biting and quarreling. It’s not a one party issue either, if it was the opposite party, the same thing would have occurred.  It’s hard to believe they are so-called “all on the same team” as you watch them. The debates have been on this week and even though I didn’t watch any of it, I did read about them after the fact. This is what our political system has come down to: one-line zingers that gets you the most press the day after.

The sad fact is, is that most of our churches have become the same way. We have divided up into denominations, or factions, declaring our way of thinking and translation of the Bible is better than another’s in hopes of bringing in more congregants. We quarrel over minute facts that are meaningless to the overall plan of salvation. The Apostle Paul dealt with these same things in the Corinthian church, so it’s not just a modern day issue. “What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?”- 1 Corinthians 1:12-13.

The Bible is clear in how we are to live our lives as Christians, especially with one another, “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” - 2 Timothy 2:14. If we are set apart by Christ, shouldn’t we act like we are different from the world?  Now, I’m not saying that if someone if doctrinally wrong, that we approve of their teaching, but if they believe and teach the Gospel of Christ, we should not be tearing them down. We are one with Christ and belong to Him.

This world already does whatever it can to discount the teachings of the Bible and if we discount one another, we are only playing into their hands. It was so good to see recently, that our little county in North Carolina, came together to improve the lives of people in our community. Churches from every denomination working together to make our county and better place. No arguments, no quarrels, and no back-biting, just brotherly love with one goal in mind: to show the love of Christ to our community. Well done to the 1200+ people who represented Christ during Impact Yadkin!

Have a great day and God bless.