September 20, 2010 1 comments

There is no distinction!

When I first came to this area to start a new church, one of my sister congregations asked me what kind of church I was going to start? “Contemporary with traditional values”, was my answer, to which he asked the question again. It was not until I put my “cultural glasses” on that I realized the context of his question. His question was to whom was I going to reach out to in our community and my answer was “to everyone with no distinction.”

Paul writes to us in Romans 10:11-13, “For the Scripture says, ’Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For ’everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’" I like Paul, because he calls it like it is. When it comes to salvation, there is no distinction between anyone. Everyone is in need of the Savior. Everyone like “sheep has gone astray” (Isaiah 53:6) “and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away”(64:6).

Jesus’ final command to us was to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19) Jesus was saying with this command that we should be actively taking His message to all nations, which in the Greek translates to all people, making no distinctions.

Yet, we find ourselves making distinctions as to whom we shall witness to or invite to our church based on who we are and what our church looks like. I have been told by other Pastors in the area that Sunday is the most segregated hour of the week. I have never lived in the “Deep South”, but I have read about the secular history of the area. The more I read, from a Christian perspective, “I just don’t get it.” I am drawn to Paul and what God said through him in Romans 3:22 “the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction.” So, why do we think we know better? There are hundreds of churches in the River Region, all who profess that by God’s Grace and faith in Jesus Christ we are saved yet, we have allowed earthly ways to enter the church and make distinctions. This is not the truth we all have been baptized in.

Galatians 3:27-29 speaks to us, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.” Children and fellow heirs of the Promise, we need to let the world around us know that we make no distinctions, except that of those who know Jesus and those who do not. Let us unite our voices as those redeemed by the blood of Christ and proclaim Christ’s words to them, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

To God be the Glory – Pastor Doug

1 Comments