As the year approaches, many will be asked by their Pastors, in one form or another, to reflect on our many blessings and pray for peace, love and happiness. I personally will do this as I have done daily for a long time. I pray for peace and love in the Body of Christ because I believe with all the troubles in the world, along with the current divisional teachings among the multitude of different Christian Churches that we are all struggling with the ambivalence of religious dogma.
It has been difficult lately, for me at least, to personally count my blessings as I see Christian brothers and sisters arguing and fighting with each other over so many insignificant little differences that matter not to our Lord and have no direct influence on our salvation yet are destroying the Body’s solidarity. It would appear that both the Bible and the individual Church itself have become the main points of focus, and even worship, to many if not most denominations, rather than the God promised Christ of salvation.
I realize this is nothing new, as expressed in 1Ti 6:3-21. “The good fight” is now a spiritual battle being fought on two fronts. The first against Satan and his followers and the second, being fought in the intellectual arena of man’s egotistical religious viewpoints. If it were Jesus’ intention to create a new religion, He would surly have clearly said so in His teachings. To the contrary, Jesus stated in many ways that we were to worship God in truth, by the Spirit and through Him. If as a Christian you believe Jesus is the only Truth, the only Life, and the only Way to the Father. Why do believers feel they have to create an organized religion to share this one simple truth?
When the Pharisees did this with the Jewish faith, they created a religion, which took away the “truth” of the law and the prophets and replaced it with the yoke of control. No wonder they missed the law’s fulfillment by the Promised Christ.
On the other hand, as praying for happiness, I fear that “Happiness” is something, that is at the moment, fleeting. Only after Christ’s return will we be able to find lasting happiness. In the mean time, though I know and feel my blessings are many, I must continue to pray for unity, peace and love in the Body. The World is already damned, and as we believers wait patiently for the Kingdom of God to manifest itself in the New Jerusalem on the New Earth, we would do well to pray for unity, peace and love in the Body of Christ along with Jesus’ quick return.
What do you think? … What are you praying for this year?
John1:1-18 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, [1] and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, [2] and his own people [3] did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 And from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, [4] who is at the Father’s side, [5] he has made him known.”
For those interested:
1Timothy 6:3-21 (NIV) “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which God will bring about in his own time–God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
20Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you.”
I would like to wish all my readers and contributors a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!