Working Together as Christians in spite of our Differences

I have heard the analogy that the church is compared to all of the flavours of koolaid.  Some like orange and some like cherry; while others like grape, and still others like blueberry.

In some respects this analogy is comparative to the church.  Some like hymns and some like liturgy.  Some like contemporary music; while others like quietness and contemplation; and still others like a care-free, laid back atmosphere.  Some are traditionalists, while others are iconoclasts.  Some are mystics and others are rationalists.  Some are Calvinists and others are Armenians.  Some are Protestants and others are Roman Catholics.  The list can go on and on.

Unfortunately these differences, historically speaking, have often caused great divides within the church of Jesus Christ.  They sometimes run so deep that one sect cannot bring itself to even think of the others as being Christian.   One of the greatest enemies of the church is extremism.  Extremists are those who are intolerant of others who do not shape their beliefs exactly as they do.  It is an arch enemy of the church because it will not allow room for one of the most precious attributes of God - acceptance.  Not that one accepts false doctrines or things that are abominations before God.  But the measure of its tolerance level is acceptance.

Extremism places conditions of intolerance on issues that gives no room for any level of acceptance.  It separates itself from everything that it deems to be sinful.  It buys into a theology of exclusivism and believes that it is the only one and the only way.  It believes that one can be guilty of sin through association.

Even though there will always be certain doctrinal beliefs that we subscribe to as individual churches and denominations that continue to separate us, they should never bring us to a place of intolerance and rejection toward each other. 

There are so many wonderful things that we can do together to the glory of God when we accept each other; if only on the level of acceptance through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  He is the true judge of us all.  Sin is not some sort of contagious disease afloat in the atmosphere.  It is innate, inside of you.  God will not punish you because you accept and work alongside of someone who does not believe exactly as you do; and you will not catch those differences in doctrine that you see in them.

Christianity is a relational religion.  Nothing good is ever gained by intolerance and extremism except bigotry and hatred.  Let us strive for tolerance and acceptance for the sake of those things we can accomplish together to the glory of our God.

- Pastor Leo