Yes. All denominations are equal in the site of God. They are the efforts of men.
The Body of Christ, which is the real Church is not so evident. Membership to the Body of Christ is not determined by denominational affiliation, rather whether one bears fruit in one’s life that brings glory to God.
- By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:8)
- By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:35)
Understanding love is difficult, when reading the famous “love chapter” 1 Corinthians 13 where we are told what constitutes love, because it is framed in the negative “you shall not” meme, so that people might be able to understand what love might be, as it is foreign to humans.
In other words, for a person to love another person or other people,
- You shall not be jealous
- You shall not be boastful
- You shall not be arrogant
- You shall not be rude
- You shall not insist on your own way
- You shall not be irritable
- You shall not be resentful
- You shall not rejoice at wrong
- You shall be patient
- You shall be kind
- You shall bear all things
- You shall believe all things
- You shall hope all things
- You shall endure all things
- Your love will never end
- Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends; (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)
Essentially, we, who are acculturated by western values, become negative creatures conditioned to be cynical and unbelieving individuals, indoctrinated to doubt that God exists. Besides this, just look at how quick people are to resent comments that they disagree with in respect to themselves. For example, people resent the truth that the Bible states: The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” (Psalm 14:1)
As for myself, even though the Bible teaches that the love of God is poured into the hearts of those who receive the Holy Spirit, I have failed to allow Him to reign in my life at all times; because, on occasions, I have decided to do things according to my old ways, rather than suffer for righteousness sake.
- Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us. (Romans 5:1–5)
In fact, most people think love is what happens in families; but even the most loyal of families demonstrate fractures within their ranks. True love is about people coming together because they are appreciative of one another; not growing up to be annoyed by one’s siblings and being committed to each other out of familiarity, habit and fear of others.
A comparison with denominations by what Jesus states is required of his disciples tells us that none are the true church of God. They are all human constructs that have people vying for power, position and prestige, in one way or the other.
- Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.... because we are members of his body. (Ephesians 5:25–30)
- So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit, but in humility count others better than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:1–4)
Even though we fail to live up to the standards of righteousness required for perfection, those of us who hate evil, seek to be close to the Lord God in all situations. This has nothing to do with hiding from the world, but seeking to overcome the world through the power of Holy Spirit within, and allowing the fruit of the Holy One to manifest (Galatians 5:16-23).
Repentance From Dead Works And Faith Towards God Is But The Beginning
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