1) In my Sunday morning adult Bible study, we talked earnestly of the seeming deterrioration of respect in society--even within the church. Some of the conversation even drifted into the realm of what people wear to church. A couple of folks argued that wearing short shorts and other assundry items was a sign of disrespect toward God. Of course, descriptions and examples of the problem were long and answers were short.
2) I've been engaged with a woman named Kathy for quite some time regarding the differences between Lutherans and Catholics and the brokenness of the Church--so many denominations with Christians attacking Christians over doctrinal issues. And, of course, all this brokenness must be set in contrast to Jesus' praying that His followers be one (John 17).
These two issues began weaving themselves together as I thought about how to address them. How does one teach respect to others? Doesn't one first have to earn that respect? And how do we get along with one another within the body of Christ when we have very different understandings of what it means to respect our heavenly Father? I mean, in my own personal understanding, I'd rather have a congregation full of men wearing tank-tops with body piercings and tatoos sitting next to women who are wearing short shorts, heavy make up, and sports shirts who genuinely gather to worship the Lord "with all their hearts and all their souls and all their minds and all their strength," who give generously, and who seek to take their faith out into the world than a congregation filled with men in three piece suits and women in long dresses with perfect hair and expensive accessories who worship to be seen, who give out of their abundance, and who spend time criticizing others instead of showing the love of Jesus Christ. To ask a question by that same Jesus Christ, "Who did (is doing) the will of the Father?" (Matthew 21:31)
And: how do we get along with our fellow brothers and sisters when we have so many different doctrinal understandings? How do we stay true to our identity and our concepts of what it means to follow Christ in the truth without demeaning our brothers and sisters in the Body who believe they too have the truth? And is it possible to use the example of the Holy Trinity--the Three in One and One in Three--to use as a model of how different denominations can get along with one another? And I ask that question not in the theoretical sense, but in the practical sense?
As these thoughts and questions ruminated in my mind, a particular passage jumped into the forefront of my thoughts. For, you see, even when Jesus gathered His disciples together, they were not all of one accord. They were not completely united. They too wanted power and position and status. They too wanted to be closer to the Truth. They too wanted to be in a place where they could lord it over others.
35James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” 36And he said to them, “What is it you want me to do for you?” 37And they said to him, “Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39They replied, “We are able.” Then Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; 40but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.” 41When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. (Mark 10:35-41)
Even within the ranks of the disciples, there was division. There was tension. There was the idea I could be in a higher position than everyone else. This led to anger--much like some of the anger and derisiveness we see between denominations.
However, Jesus didn't let such things stop here. He interceded:
42So Jesus called them and said to them, “You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. 43But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, 44and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. 45For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:42-45)
Hmmm. Think about this teaching in a practical manner when it comes to teaching respect of God to others. Think about this teachign in a practical manner when it comes to denominational relations. There is no need for us to set aside our arguments for the truth, but we must argue with the utmost of humility recognizing our need for service to others, and it is with our service to others that we can build bonds of relationship toward teaching respect, honesty, compassion, kindness, caring, etc.
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