I haven't a clue which denomination of Christianity I subscribe to, and... I don't think it matters. I am asked all the time, and I understand the importance of asking, because doctrinal beliefs absolutely matter, but it's far more profitable to ask people if they agree to actual Bible verses that denominations by which their respective churches may or may not even live up to the confessions they state on their websites (or in manuals). Some of you know exactly what I'm talking about.
I confuse people because I don't know what denomination I belong to, yet people confuse me because they can't figure out whether or not a person is Christian based on their fruit, and furthermore, many Christians these days tell me that they can make sense out of a denomination, but can't figure out what I mean by fruit. Baptist? Fine. Just don't rag on those who baptize their infants. It's not leading them to hell. Don't debate to the point of division within the Body. It helps no one and makes those outside the faith point mockingly at us. Granted, they don't understand the truth, but it's still a lousy witness. Pentecostal? I don't care, but if you lift up holy hands and praise with your tongue but live only outwardly and publicly in your praise, you'll be judged for it. Lutheran? I don't care, but you do seem like one small step away from being Catholic. Nazarene, I really don't care, but there is much more to God than His love and His benevolent compassion. I don't like being spoken to as if I don't know of His love or His compassion, for how can a person present the gospel without speaking of it? I don't know.
Catholic, though? God makes and keeps people saved, and there's nothing I OR you can do about it. I have one father, he isn't in your church, and if I as a believer cannot partake of communion with wine, neither should you. The Bible you claim you know teaches many things that you reject, but you say you are the true Church. Growing apart from a Catholic-indoctrinated family myself, I can't and won't call you Christian if you abide by the official doctrines of the Catholic church. Your dogma leads you to Mary. Not to Jesus; the ONLY Person who's beaten death and can hear our prayers as well as answer them. Mormon? Nope, not Christian, either. I can't worship a god who once sinned and grew in his godliness, and I can't worship a god who wants me to be as powerful as he is someday. God is, was, and always will be unchanging. He's holy and He didn't become holy eventually. And Joseph Smith can call me a liar all he wants from his grave for this, but um... no, he did not see the Father. No one can. Part of telling the truth is pointing out the lies. I could continue, but I don't need to.
I'm not against denominations entirely. I just don't see the importance of them. I see denominations as little more than spiritual sir-names, in which different families cling to familiarity, do things the way they want them to be done in their households, and while they welcome others, they have their "house rules," if I may. Sometimes they're great, enriching one another and ministering to other body parts of the Body of Christ, and sometimes there are really nasty arguments between these families/denominations, and so long as with these families also come cultural and ethnic differences, desires for the Body at large that are being underhanded or ignored, and concerns for certain "Body parts" that need mending. But they all have to work together, or else like a house of cards, they crumble. I see the snarls and sneers from people sometimes, or even just in text, and I think "well, that's awfully petty." People say "don't judge me" and then turn right around and gossip in their bitterness, as if it's okay to do that. We can share ideas, questions, and concerns and disagree on them as long as they aren't essential to the faith, for there is no room for disagreement or denial of the essentials of the Christian faith. Sticking to Scripture should NOT be that hard for those who claim to love the Lord. Some know more than others, and teachers are wonderful, but there is no greater teacher than God Himself. Does not the Lord speak through His Word, or must we dissect everything even beyond the scope of historical-grammatical hermeneutics? No! This becomes a problem for many because they seek knowledge and study the Bible correctly and even STILL, there are mysteries. Yet they take offense to the mystery and cling to theories the way atheists do, all for the sake of a hope that they believe they need beyond the hope of seeing Jesus face to face, as if being of Him is not enough. Dwell on the mysteries. May you be stupified and humbled so that the Lord can teach you. God does desire to give us wisdom, but He'll give it His way. Not ours. Those who are greatest among us are the ones who serve the least of the least and do not seek honor for what they speak. It is God who raises up a man or takes him out.
We CAN accurately judge what is right and wrong according to Scripture. So really, what candle does a denomination hold up that may be a light to the world in of itself? It might be a tall cast of wax, but there is no wick, and if there perhaps could be a wick, the only fire by which that wick might be lit will be the fire of judgment from God, but we shall not desire to play with that fire, lest we become even less than nothing, set aside for His garden of wrath. I understand the problem people have with organized religion if this is what they hint at: the man-made worship that sets itself against itself because God is not at the center. If in fact God is at the center, however, the "organization" of the religion will turn people off much more than a denomination title, because there are very few who are truly set apart for His righteousness. There are few who rejoice in rebuke, as they know that chastens and disciplines those He loves. They rather than being burnt up are sealed by the light of Christ, and THAT is the light by which the Word is revealed; the truth in which any of us might be set free. For unto him who believes is everlasting life.
Abide by the Word. Live it. Breathe it. Love it. Share it. I am reformed and yes, I do agree with the five points of Calvinism, but get this --- I don't follow a man-made religion, AND, Calvinism is not a denomination. Calvin wasn't trying to put separation between God and man. He was just a well-known individual in his day who looked around at the heresies being taught around him and said "No! This isn't right! The Bible says 'this!' Not 'that!'" His thoughts and his teachings were not original. Not by a long shot.
Concluding, I'm devoted to God though I may never know what denomination I ascribe to. I've been to all types of Christian churches. My interest is in demolishing areas of pride in myself and reminding people that no matter what they call themselves within the camp of Christianity, it's not only God who looks at their hearts, but also people. We can't know each other's hearts fully, but yes, we want to, and out of our hearts come our words, our actions, and yet all sorts of evil things that defile a person. Know this: I am watching you. I am paying attention to what you speak of, how you speak of it, and how you live despite what church you go to. I may disagree with what you're doing and I might well voice it, but I'm still watching you, just as you are watching me, taking note of where my faith brings me.
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