United or Divided?

[Multifavs]

Hello my friends in Christ! I read through a little bit of a book my mom has yesterday. It's a Catholic book, however it makes some statements that relate to all Christians. One thing I saw in the beginning that really stood out to me is this: we as Christians are too divided! We are focusing too much on our doctrinal disagreements and differences and not enough on one thing we all agree with: Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

I know it can sometimes be difficult to get along with and converse well with people who have differences; this is something I struggle with myself. We don't have to argue and divide ourselves all the time, we need to unite ourselves more as believers in Christ.

Instead of focusing on disagreements so much, think about the one thing all Christians agree on. Instead of shoving your beliefs at other believers, try to respect them. Don't make assumptions; you may not even totally understand their beliefs. I know there are times when we need to debate, but we should always try to remember that Jesus wants us to be kind and loving towards others, even in debate. They are still our brothers and sisters and should be treated the way we want to be treated. Pray for them if you feel they need guidance.

God bless you all! May we as fellow Christians be more united, treat one another properly, and spread the love and kindness of Jesus to all.

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful." -Colossians 3:12-15

 

[Ghostjunkie]

I am reminded of something my pastor told me the other day, and I am paraphrasing, "As long as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and believe that he died for your sins, your forgiveness, and your salvation, the rest is negotiable."

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

I am reminded of something my pastor told me the other day, and I am paraphrasing, "As long as you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and believe that he died for your sins, your forgiveness, and your salvation, the rest is negotiable."

Also though, if you enlist in the military in one country, would they permit you to work for another country against the first one ?

 

[Ghostjunkie]

There is such a thing as dual citizenship, but not sure about military service. Seems a bit of a false equivalence/dichotomy.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

There is such a thing as dual citizenship, but not sure about military service. Seems a bit of a false equivalence/dichotomy.

In the loyalty oaths or statements required, every allegiance or loyalty to any other nation or leader or power or whatever must be directly renounced/ given up/ no longer permitted to even influence actions of the joining member. Complete loyalty to the country and principles and laws and 'chain of command' must be adhered to.
Almost as much loyalty and obedience as Christ requires of His followers. (Christ requires the WHOLE HEART BE FAITHFUL and PURE)

 

[Ghostjunkie]

And your implication is what exactly? That there is one true denomination and the rest false? That one person dedicates themself to Christ properly, and the rest do not?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

And your implication is what exactly? That there is one true denomination and the rest false? That one person dedicates themself to Christ properly, and the rest do not?

How many people dedicate themselves to the USA/ in service to 'their country' ?

Many people dedicate themselves to the USA.

They all must do so according to the practices and law OF THE USA.

Everyone who seeks to follow Christ (whether many people or few people)

must do so AS CHRIST SAYS.

Yahuweh is the head of Jesus. Jesus is the head of man.

To follow Jesus requires Jesus leading. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and the Only Way to Life.

 

[AlexDTX]

Hello my friends in Christ! I read through a little bit of a book my mom has yesterday. It's a Catholic book, however it makes some statements that relate to all Christians. One thing I saw in the beginning that really stood out to me is this: we as Christians are too divided! We are focusing too much on our doctrinal disagreements and differences and not enough on one thing we all agree with: Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

I know it can sometimes be difficult to get along with and converse well with people who have differences; this is something I struggle with myself. We don't have to argue and divide ourselves all the time, we need to unite ourselves more as believers in Christ.

Instead of focusing on disagreements so much, think about the one thing all Christians agree on. Instead of shoving your beliefs at other believers, try to respect them. Don't make assumptions; you may not even totally understand their beliefs. I know there are times when we need to debate, but we should always try to remember that Jesus wants us to be kind and loving towards others, even in debate. They are still our brothers and sisters and should be treated the way we want to be treated. Pray for them if you feel they need guidance.

God bless you all! May we as fellow Christians be more united, treat one another properly, and spread the love and kindness of Jesus to all.

"Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another, if one has a grievance against another; as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also do. And over all these put on love, that is, the bond of perfection. And let the peace of Christ control your hearts, the peace into which you were also called in one body. And be thankful." -Colossians 3:12-15

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.​

What is notable in Christ's prayer is that he is praying that we be one as the Father is one with him.

The unity found in the trinity can be summed up this way: they all have selves, but they are selfless. Jesus as a human being also has a self, but was also selfless. The disunity of the Church is deeper than doctrine. We all have selves, but remain selfish. Unity is found among believers when they live selfless lives, that is, they bear their cross and deny self.

 

[JCFantasy23]

We are divided in ways, but at least what unites us is stronger. I try to focus on that and see the differences more as an interesting study than something to be worried or dismayed about.

 

[joshua 1 9]

Christians are too divided!

When we become united with Christ then we well become united with each other. Just as husband and wife, male and female are to become one.

 

[pdudgeon]

Also though, if you enlist in the military in one country, would they permit you to work for another country against the first one ?

only if you are working "under cover".
But remember, a man cannot have two masters or his loyalty will be divided, and he will end up fighting against himself.

 

[aiki]

Hello my friends in Christ! I read through a little bit of a book my mom has yesterday. It's a Catholic book, however it makes some statements that relate to all Christians. One thing I saw in the beginning that really stood out to me is this: we as Christians are too divided! We are focusing too much on our doctrinal disagreements and differences and not enough on one thing we all agree with: Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.

Who says we are too divided? What constitutes "too divided"? Who gets to say what is or isn't "too divided? The R.C. church? I see distinctions among denominations: cultural/language distinctions, distinctions related to governmental structures, distinctions based on style of worship, and distinctions of doctrinal emphasis. But these distinctions don't equate to full-blown division. I interact with Christians from the Evangelical Free, Missionary Alliance, Baptist, Pentecostal, Mennonite, Presbyterian and Lutheran denominations without particular difficulty. We all subscribe to the same basic doctrines of the faith. And, you know, none of them are egging on the rest of us to unite under one single denominational umbrella, as the R.C. church seems constantly to be doing.

We don't have to argue and divide ourselves all the time, we need to unite ourselves more as believers in Christ.

Among many Protestant evangelical denominations there is pretty significant unity. I've been to worship services in most of the denominations I listed above without qualm, enjoying worship, the sermon and fellowship with other believers quite comfortably. I'm certainly not arguing with believers in these other denominations all the time. Far from it. I don't think I'm unusual in this.

Instead of focusing on disagreements so much, think about the one thing all Christians agree on. Instead of shoving your beliefs at other believers, try to respect them. Don't make assumptions; you may not even totally understand their beliefs.

If the disagreements are serious, if they are over fundamental aspects of the faith, why shouldn't they be focused upon?

Are you not "shoving your beliefs" at us about unity in your OP? Yes, you are. Are you being disrespectful in doing so? No. Respect for others and strongly promoting one's beliefs are not necessarily mutually exclusive things.

You also have made a number of assumptions about the supposed lack of unity among other Christians in your OP. In fact, at least among the Protestant evangelical denominations in my city, there is significant unity despite the denominational distinctives that exist.

I know there are times when we need to debate, but we should always try to remember that Jesus wants us to be kind and loving towards others, even in debate.

Amen.

They are still our brothers and sisters and should be treated the way we want to be treated. Pray for them if you feel they need guidance.

Amen, again.