And All the Parts Formed One Body

I'm a Charismatic Christian. I'm a Reformed Evangelical. I'm a Catholic.

STOP! As Christians can we not simply say, "I am a fellow believer, let us feast together at the banquet table that Christ has prepared for all of us!" Regardless of our particular theological bent, has not the Charismatic Christian accepted that same banquet invitation as the Reformed Evangelical, the Catholic, the Baptist, the Methodist, the Presbyterian, etc. (Luke 14:15-24 ESV)? As believers who have been baptized into Christ, have we not all been clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:27 NIV)? Of course we have! Thus, let us come together and feast in the glory of our Lord and know that we are all clothed in His likeness!

I am consistently amazed when fellow brothers and sisters look more like a dysfunctional family than the body of Christ made up of several parts (1 Corinthians 12:12). Why can't the Reformists be more free in their worship, says the Charismatic. Why can't the Charismatics be more theologically sound, says the Reformist. Why can't they see that it is by faith not works (e.g. traditions), says everyone to the older traditions of Anglicanism and Catholicism.

 Do not cut off your arm because it doesn't look like your head. We need all parts. And all parts only function through the power of the Holy Spirit. The same reason one seeks freedom in worship is the same reason one seeks sound theology, works, faith, tradition, etc. That reason is (should be) to see more of God. Additionally, none of these should be products that make up our love for God but rather byproducts that result from our love for Him. Furthermore, freedom in worship will not bring you closer to God, sound theology will not bring you closer, works will not bring you closer, faith will not bring you closer, tradition will not bring you closer, nor will any other one thing bring you closer!

What will bring us closer then? Nothing. God brought us as close as He possibly could when Jesus Christ rose from grave. So; instead of seeking to be closer let us seek to see more of who God is. And we see more of who God is by allowing each "part" of His body to move and embrace the beauty of its function(s). When this allowing and embracing takes place we can move on to the most important question; how can we proclaim the Good News of Christ together?

J.D. Smeltser

Side thought: I find it rather ironic when staunch Reformists eagerly quote a beautiful passage from the early Christian (Catholic) theologian, St. Augustine, and turn around and mention their desire to convert their Catholic friend(s) (Standley, 2014). Or when a Charismatic pridefully quotes C.S. Lewis (an Anglican) but expresses their distaste of the formalities of Anglican worship services. 

Alive in Christ, Dead to Sin

Did that Facebook post intrigue you? I suppose it did since you are here now. I'll get right to it then.

Let me start by noting that I think most people who say I am sinner saved by grace mean to say I was once a sinner but I have been saved by grace. Furthermore, I think people should be saying the latter instead of the former! When I hear the former I hear the following context clues: I am sinner, I don't amount to anything, I am filthy, I am not a new creation, I didn't perform well for God today, etc. Notice who is central in each of those thoughts; you! Fellow believer, stop proclaiming you are not righteous enough (we know already!) and start proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ defeating sin and death through his own death and resurrection. Know that just as Christ was crucified, your old self (your sinner self) was also crucified (Romans 6:6 ESV). Believe for your own self that "one who has died has been set free from sin . . . and, [those] set free from sin, have become slaves to righteousness" (6:7,18). Additionally, "as slaves to righteousness [you are being led] . . . to sanctification and its end, eternal life" (6:19,22). In other words, since you have seen the glory of God you "are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" until we obtain our - and behold His - full glory in eternity (2 Corinthians 3:18). Your identity is Christ, not sin.

For the sake of your inner man please read Romans 6 for yourself. Study it, meditate on it, and ask yourself and God questions.

J. D. Smeltser