"Nevertheless, to the degree we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." Phillipians 3:16
Everyone is on a different place in their walk with God. Instead of focusing on doctrinal issues and trying to conform people to your point of the journey, just be unified in mind on the core of our belief: Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is our salvation. He saved us and forgave us and set us free of bondage. Let us stay focused to these truths and with love, let us encourage one another and help one another and pour out our lives and comforts to ensure our brothers and sisters don't fall off the path.
Tongues and prophecy will disappear. Denominations and division will disappear. But what will last forever? Love. So why don't we throw our differences to the side and focus on love? When we stand before our Maker, is He going to ask us why we didn't make people think like us? No! Every person from all time before, now, and in the future are completely unique. Not including the sin of a person, their individual make-up and personality represents a facet of God's personality, although His is infinitely more than even this. So why do we try to cookie-cut Christianity and attempt to make exact replicas of ourselves? I'm not saying that relating our experiences and teaching from the Word is wrong; when we have an encounter with God it is something amazing and beautiful and with His blessing, it is meant to be shared.
Instead, we should celebrate differences and variety and focus on selflessly loving one another and being glad for the aspect of God portrayed through us and do whatever passion/talents/gifts that He has put within us and do them for love of Him and others. Then and only then will we be satisfied, full of joy and peace. Nothing can take that away from you. Not the President, the economy, natural disasters, or trauma. Nothing.
Thoughts and convictions from the Holy Spirit to me this morning.
