In our Bible class this morning we were talking about what it means to be a Lutheran. As we started the class, I made a statement that I believe we all need to make concerning our faith. This statement is one which can be applied to all denominations within Christendom. First and foremost, we are Christians, followers of Christ, who secondly practice our faith in the various church bodies within Christianity. If someone were to ask you what you are in relationship to your religious beliefs, the proper answer would be, I am a Christian, who practices my faith as a Baptist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian etc.
The reality of it all is the fact that Jesus did not set up the different denominations man did. Jesus clearly indicated that we are each members of the Body of Christ, His disciples and witnesses. Our desire should be to share the saving message of the Gospel which is centered in Jesus, as our Lord and Savior. Now, I am not promoting the ideals of unionism. What I am saying is that before we let our denominational differences get in the way and we base the foundation of our faith on the church organization we are connected to, we need to realize whose we really are. You and I are children of the Heavenly Father and brothers and sisters in Christ.
We cannot deny the fact that there are doctrinal differences among us as a Christian community. As we associate with one another may we see Jesus in each other and respect those among us, who in the Lord’s eyes, are fellow saints in His Kingdom. And let us beware that the devil is not viciously going after Lutherans, Baptists, Methodists, Roman Catholics, or Presbyterians, he is going after those who are in the family of God. In that my dear friends in the faith, we can stand up together for Christ, and guard and defend one another!!!!!! Pastor McCarty