Articles
What Will Come of Our Nation? / Thus Saith Our Lord / Why So Many Denominations?
(by Kent Heaton)
“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet. He will choose our inheritance for us, the excellence of Jacob whom He loves. God has gone up with a shout, the Lord with the sound of a trumpet. Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne. The princes of the people have gathered together, the people of the God of Abraham. For the shields of the earth belong to God; He is greatly exalted.” (Psalm 47)
Each political year comes with fear, frustration and concern for what will become of our nation. In the first place we should be thankful we live in a country that offers these feelings as many countries are locked in governments that do not allow the freedom of vote. Regardless of the form of government there is one single truth that has always overshadowed the rule of man – that is the rule of God. From the beginning of time the Lord has been the ruler of the world and only by His will have nations risen and His will have brought down nations. The Bible tells the stories of superpowers like Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and Rome who have been used by God for His purpose and then destroyed. The sons of Korah understood how the Lord works in nations declaring the glory of God as greatly exalted. The ruler of earthly kingdoms is awesome, a great King, subduing all people to His will. By His power the nation of Israel was able to bring other nations under their control. The people of Israel lived under the grace of God. There is great reason to rejoice as the hand of the Lord is mighty upon all nations. His holy throne is greater than any power on earth. The shields or symbols of government belong to the Lord God Almighty and in everything God will be exalted. The sons of Korah understood the providence of Jehovah in the affairs of men. This has not changed in our time.
A government exists today because of the will of the Father. They are established by his hand. Through the turbulent year of our political process we must see the power of God working to shape our lives to His will. This does not suggest we stand idly by without deep prayer and devotion to the word of God. So often the reason that things come about is because of the few who pray for a change. As Americans we are blessed with the privilege of voting. As children of God we have the greater privilege of prayer. Stepping behind a curtain does not match what happens when we bow the knee. Prayer affirms that we still believe that God works in the nations of men and His will is evident by His guiding hand. The Lord is not a Republican or a Democrat. He is the Lord God Almighty and what He does in our great country is the same thing He does in halls of power in Russia, China, England and Iran. God reigns over the nations – all of them.
Thank God for His wonderful grace. Thank God that He is in charge of the affairs of men. The people of God need to stop complaining and start praying. Trusting in the Lord is where our hearts belong. Seeking His guidance in our lives as a nation is where our minds need to be. Our voices should be proclaiming the praises of a mighty King who is King of all kings. Let God’s rule sound forth in this political year of decision. For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. ‘God in His highest heaven holds the reins of all the kingdoms of earth. He holds the hearts of men in His hands.’ (J. B. Bossuet, Discourses on Universal History, 1675)
Thus Saith Our Lord
(Selected)
Ye call Me Master and obey Me not,
Ye call Me Light and see Me not,
Ye call Me Way and walk Me not,
Ye call Me Life and desire Me not,
Ye call Me wise and follow Me not,
Ye call Me fair and love Me not,
Ye call Me rich and ask Me not,
Ye call Me eternal and seek Me not,
Ye call Me gracious and trust Me not
Ye call Me noble and serve Me not,
Ye call Me just and fear Me not,
If I condemn you, blame Me not.
Why So Many Denominations?
(by Gene Taylor)
Have you ever wondered why there are so many denominational bodies? Why believers in Christ are not all united? If you’ve been disturbed by this question, you’re not alone. It is frequently asked by sincere people seeking the truth.
In the religious world, both Protestant and Catholic churches are divided and subdivided into different denominations each of which is characterized by a distinctive name, a particular creed, a form of organization, and a type of worship peculiar to itself and different from all other churches.
Despite the fact that some sincere people cannot answer the question as to “Why the number of divisions?” most of them will agree that it would be desirable if all people were united in one body in the name of Christ our Savior.
Unity in the modern religious world can only be had if we:
- Respect the wishes of Christ. He prayed for unity (John 17:20-21).
- Believe there is one God. The Ephesians were told to maintain unity on the basis of this truth (Ephesians 4:3-6).
- Realize the dangers of division. Paul taught against religious division saying all should be united (1 Corinthians 1:10-13).
- Are willing to yield human opinion to God’s authority. The Bible states that man’s wisdom is not a safe guide in religious matters. Jeremiah 10:23 says, “Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps.”
“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God – and righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:20-30).
Yes, unity can be attained in religion if all people will abandon all beliefs and practices that are foreign to the Bible and be satisfied to teach and practice only those things found in and authorized by the word of God.
The local church of Christ in this community is a group of Bible-believing people who are trying to conform all aspects of their lives to the will of God and the image of Christ. They accept the Scriptures as their only authority in religious matters. If you are interested in things spiritual and are wanting to learn more of Christ and His will for you, please visit them. They would be happy to help in any way they can to make your life right with God.
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