Issue 1154 – The Game – May 13, 2023

It is going to be a busy weekend. Our grand-girls (who live here)  play softball and are in a weekend tournament. That means we will be at the diamonds starting at about 8 AM. Of course, there will be worship at church tomorrow, then it’s likely out to the diamonds again.

Our boys played baseball (or, as some people call it, hard ball – to differentiate the games) for many years, and I coached.

The primary games and objectives of baseball and softball are the same. You can easily follow the other if you know one of the two games. Plenty of rule differences exist, and some mechanics, like the pitching motion, are very different. Throw in some further rule changes for beginning players, and it gets slightly different again. Still, we enjoy the game and are blessed to have that time with the grandchildren.

Those similarities and differences got me thinking about the church. The Christian church comes in many stylistic and theological packages. We share the same goal of proclaiming the gospel of Jesus and loving and serving in His name. We can worship differently, and we might have some different rules, but still be the church.

Like softball vs baseball players who each believe their form of the game is best, sometimes we can isolate ourselves within our own denomination or theological frameworks and be all the poorer for it. It would do us good to skip attending our regular local gathering once or twice a year and attend a church of differing worship styles, theological differences and denominational (or nondenominational) stripes.

We would see people with similar desires who are our siblings in Jesus. It is a good reminder that our particular silo isn’t the only valid way of loving and serving God. It can help us remember that there are followers of Jesus outside our walls. It can teach us that God can be glorified through others.

Of course, I am talking about attending another Christian church, not some heretical group or false church that throws in the name of Jesus. I mean churches that hold to salvation by grace and the authority of Scripture but differ in style or hold to theological emphasis on places we disagree. There are things we can learn by attending those places as well, but different levels of discernment are needed.

Even Jesus’ followers fell into the trap of thinking they were the only ones.

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. For the one who is not against us is for us. Mark 9:38-40

We can easily forget that truth and demonize our siblings. Those who hunker down in their silos lose out on many of the blessings that could be theirs. We can quickly learn to fly our own flags higher than the banner of Christ. We fight needlessly against other Christians and, in doing so, weaken our witness and give non-believers yet another place to blaspheme the name of God.

Yes, there are hills to die on and separate over, but not every stylist or theological difference falls into that category; for example, I am a firm believer in a believer (adult) baptism, while others are equally convinced of the validity of the infant baptism position. Yet, I see no reason not to worship or serve together if we believe in the same things on the essential issues.

I have good friends who hold to the Pentecostal position on the gift of tongues, whereas I do not. Yet, I know they love Jesus as much as I do, study the same Scriptures and strive to bring the Lord glory. We differ on some things but remain siblings in Christ and will be together forever.

Let’s learn to love one another. Le’s forgive one another and honestly try to walk in Christ together for His glory.

Baseball or softball? The differences come down to a matter of personal preference and conviction. The same is true of other true believers. The gospel is more significant than all of us; we have true unity in the Spirit. We are united in Christ.

Let’s appreciate the differences and celebrate the Living Lord together.

Be Blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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