1 John 1:7 ~ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another...
On this day of November in which many celebrate a day of thanksgiving, I give thanks for believers all around the world.
It's most precious when believers, who have never met, get together and have instant connection and fellowship. It's because of the bond we share in Christ. Thanks, Lord! Attending an international church has been one of my most favorite things because it reminds me of heaven. People from over 34 countries represent different ethnicities and cultures.
Yet no one cares about the color of another's skin.
No one cares about the color of hair, nor about the physical attributes.
No one even cares about the language because we all speak English. 😄
The God who died for our sins and rose again is the same God who unites us because each person is part of his family. I see this experience to worship all together as invaluable.
Every culture is different. This includes differences in food, dress, actions, beliefs, traditions, etc. And differences in worship.
We need to remember that different does not mean bad. And it does not mean that something is better than another.
I've thought a great deal about churches in the U.S. versus churches in other countries.
(Don't misunderstand. There are some great ones. I'm only speaking from my experience, and these are only my observations and thoughts.)
I think the mindset of some believers in the U.S. is that different means bad. If a group of people at one church looks at another group from a different church who does not conduct a worship service the same as them, people from the first may look down on the others or think they are "doing it wrong" or that only certain songs should be sung, or that only certain instruments should be played, etc.
I find that believers get way too comfortable in doing church tradition. They go at a certain time, numbly sing a certain number of songs without any fire in their souls or preparing their hearts for the message, numbly sit through the preaching without feeling conviction or asking God to change them, feel uncomfortable and may even complain if the pastor goes over a certain time, then leave. This happens week after week. If there's fellowship afterwards, people congregate to gossip or chat about shallow things or complain about something they didn't like. So many little things divide true believers. It seems that they want division instead of unity. Many churches I visited were like this.
In a country where people enjoy the freedom of speech, why don't more use their speech to edify other believers or discuss important topics needed for growth??
One of the beautiful things about the church I attend now is that there is a bond of fellowship and unity among the believers. Because different cultures are represented, the worship time is different than that in other churches. The prayer time is a little different. There's the opening of the Word of God and sometimes discussion among small groups of believers (which I love). The service doesn't only last for one hour while everyone keeps an eye on their watch to see how long the preacher talks for. When we take communion together the pastor does not care if someone has been physically water baptized or not. He doesn't care whether the people are a member of a specific church or dress a certain way. He cares about their salvation, and if they have truly believed in the One Way to heaven.
Here, there's unity in diversity. It's beautiful. Similar to heaven, which I cannot wait to go to.
What does the Bible teach us?
A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ~John 13:34-35
Matthew 5:14-16
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
From these verses, we learn that our actions as Christians talk way louder than our words do. What does the verse say? Let your light shine so people can see your good works. Not, talk so people can hear more of what you say.
Instead of focusing so much on the outward appearances of other believers, each one needs to focus on his own inward. When the inward is right and aligns with God, and his desires are your desires, the outward will be right. Everyone doesn't need to dress the same. Everyone doesn't need to listen to the same music. But everyone needs the same work done in his heart - a work only God can do with the heart is soft and tender. Everyone needs to focus on finding common ground and striving together for the sake of the gospel.
Romans 12:3-5
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
