I John 2:24-25 “See that what you have heard from the beginning remains in you. If it does, you also will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he promised us – even eternal life.”
I have been a Christian for a long time. Decades. And during that time, I have witnessed some pretty interesting discussions about the Christian faith. Discussions about predestination. Premilleniumism. Post-milleniumism. The Baptism of the Holy Spirit. On and on and on.
I’ve also witnessed discussions between people of different denominational backgrounds. I grew up in a Southern Baptist church. Some of my dearest, closest friends are Pentecostal, Lutheran, Church of Christ, Methodist, Catholic . . . we are like a tossed salad! And I know that I will spend eternity with each of these friends. I know it, because I know what they believe.
Each week, I teach children’s church. The children learn that God is love. That Jesus is God’s Son. That Jesus died in our place, for our sins. That if we accept Jesus as our Savior, we will spend eternity in heaven. They are learning the basics of our faith.
John reminds us here that regardless of our doctrinal differences, it is these basic principles that unite us. These principles are the basis for our relationship with our Father. These basic principles must remain in us. They must remain the most important things in our thoughts and in our lives, for without them, we have no identity as a child of God.
Dear Father, Thank you for loving me enough to send Your only Son to die for me, so that I could be called Your child, and spend eternity in heaven.
Amen
Renae, I love how you point out the basic principles that unite all children of God. Too many times people get hung up on differences… I like your tossed salad image, too. Blessings to you!
And what a blessing it is to have you as a fellow vegetable in the tossed salad! 🙂 If I don’t get out and walk soon, I’ll be a Jesus-loving tomato!
Hi Cheryl and Anne! Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, “vegging out,” doesn’t it? 😉
Dear Renae,
You have written so many important things.
I think this post is a milestone.
I think it’s alright with a variety of churches, because as human we have different needs both socially and spiritually.
It’s perfectly fine that we gather where we feel at home.
The only thing that will please our enemy is quarreling and passing judgments on fellow Christians.
Oh, if we could leave that to our Lord who has said,” The judgment belongs to me.”
Bless you for teaching in Sunday School.
In my opinion the most important work in the world.
From Felisol
Thank you, Felisol. You are always such an encouragement to me.