Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
You are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
-1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSV)
-1 Corinthians 12:27 (NRSV)
Each of us is unique and created with unique abilities. Together we make up the body of Christ. Each is important to the health of the body. We should be encouraging each other and supporting each other. There is no room for factions, envy and strife. Yet in the world we see many different congregations of faith.
It makes sense that there would be many ways to worship together. People of like interests will naturally congregate together. As long as we all understand that there are many ways to worship and serve our Lord, I have no challenges with there being thousands of denominations. It's when any one group feels they are better or the "only" way to serve God that I cringe. The God who created millions of flowers, birds, insects, and beings of every type has room for all of us to be individuals. Our God loves variety. One only has to look at creation to see the possibilities are limitless in God's world. Let's celebrate the beauty of our differences and realize that together we form a chorus of wonderful worship.
Rather than pointing a finger at someone else's seeming short comings, look up and raise all fingers to God in praise that he loves us all with total grace.
It makes sense that there would be many ways to worship together. People of like interests will naturally congregate together. As long as we all understand that there are many ways to worship and serve our Lord, I have no challenges with there being thousands of denominations. It's when any one group feels they are better or the "only" way to serve God that I cringe. The God who created millions of flowers, birds, insects, and beings of every type has room for all of us to be individuals. Our God loves variety. One only has to look at creation to see the possibilities are limitless in God's world. Let's celebrate the beauty of our differences and realize that together we form a chorus of wonderful worship.
Rather than pointing a finger at someone else's seeming short comings, look up and raise all fingers to God in praise that he loves us all with total grace.
