What Unites Us

I have been preparing to teach a class about a remarkable Christian who lived centuries ago.

Part of my preparation involved anticipating questions I may be asked.

One question I am anticipating is: “What would this man have to say about Christianity today?”

Frankly, a great deal.

But I think one thing that would surprise him would be the number of denominations that have arisen.

I think he would be amazed at the number of different churches there are each claiming to be Christian.

This put me in mind of a conversation I had with a friend long ago.

We attended different churches.

We had some lively discussions concerning our differences.

Suffice it to say, my friend was a bit opinionated.

At the end of one such conversation, I asked my friend to consider scripture we might agree on.

I asked him if we could agree on this passage from Romans…

Romans 6:23 (NET) - For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Of course, neither of us disagreed with that.

I then asked my friend if we could agree on this well-known passage from John…

John 3:16-17 (NET) - For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

Again, this was something we could agree upon.

I than asked my friend about an earlier passage…

John 3:5-6 (NET) - Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Again, we agreed upon this.

I then told my friend that although we worshipped in slightly different ways, we agreed on some very important things.

Perhaps, as Christians, we would be wise to focus on that which unites us rather than that which divides us.

In doing so we would be better able to serve God.

In doing so we would be better able to serve our fellow man.

I think the man about whom I will speak would agree.

He once had this to say…

“Whenever you encounter one of your neighbors, regard him as yourself in another form (which he is), or indeed as God in another form, for he is the image of God, and God will be watching to see how reverently you treat him.” - Comenius

I think we can all agree on that.

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 24, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, June 7, 2019

Time Alone with God

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed?

We all feel that way from time to time.

Especially when we have others clamoring for our attention wanting one thing or another.

Jesus knew what that was like.

Scripture tells us that large crowds began to follow Jesus.

But even Jesus needed some quiet time alone with God.

Mark 1:35-37 (NET) - Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer. Simon and his companions searched for him. When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

Once Jesus spent this quiet time alone with God, He was ready to continue His ministry.

Mark 1:38-39 (NET) - He replied, “Let us go elsewhere, into the surrounding villages, so that I can preach there too. For that is what I came out here to do.” So he went into all of Galilee preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Serving others is important.

But Jesus understood the importance of time alone with God.

Even when Jesus went to the Mount of Olives before His crucifixion, His disciples followed.

Yet Jesus knew He needed, perhaps more than ever, quiet time alone with God.

Mark 22:41 (NET) - He went away from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed,

In today’s fast paced world, the importance of spending time alone with God can be easily overlooked.

Fortunately, scripture offers us many reminders.

Psalm 46:10 (NET) - He says, “Stop your striving and recognize that I am God! I will be exalted over the nations! I will be exalted over the earth!”

Matthew 6:6 (NET) - But whenever you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.

But what if we are at a loss as to what to pray?

Scripture helps us there, as well.

Romans 8:26-27 (NET) - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes on behalf of the saints according to God’s will.

The world of today is far more hectic than it was in times past.

We are bombarded with information…

… but what do we actually learn?

We find ourselves busier and busier…

… but what do we actually accomplish?

We have more contacts and friends through social media…

… but how many do we really know well and how many really know us well?

If Jesus needed time alone with God, what does that say for the rest of us?

Blessings,

Jim Pokorny

The Other Brother Jim

Look for me at http://faithfulfeetteam.blogspot.com/ on Friday, May 10, 2019.

I’ll be back here on Friday, May 17, 2019