What Paul said...

"Brothers, I'm begging you, as the Lord's prisoner, that you would walk in a manner that is worthy of the job you are called to do.  Walk with lowliness and meekness, humbling yourself.  With endurance and love for one another, purposing to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is above all, and through all, and in you all."

LA evening, thanks to Photo Pin

I was sitting on our front porch in the evening breeze, talking to my brother on the phone.  (Which was also a good excuse for getting out of the dinner dishes.)  The brother, far away from home, was telling me how he was blessed to have shared fellowship with a man who's doctrine is light years away from his own.

We got to talking about how we (Christians) tend to lend the utmost importance to things that matter so little.   Head coverings and whether or not we're supposed to eat organically.  How to spend our money and how the Bible says to get married.  What Christians should wear.  What activities they should participate in.  Whether or not to celebrate Christmas and what kind of music is glorifying to God.  When and how the rapture will happen, Calvin-ism, Armenian-ism or Universal-ism... Sadly, the list goes on and on.

Instead of spending so much time and effort trying to show other believers where they are wrong and we aright, what would happen if we focused on what we have in common?  One body and one Spirit.  One hope, one Lord, one faith and one baptism.  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all and us all.

I want to be able to look past the outside of every believer - past the appearance, the doctrine, the denomination - and be able to see the heart.  The part that's just like me.  Created by the same Creator, loved by the same God, led by the same Spirit, filled with the same hope.

It would be a major game changer, that's for sure.

"But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ."