Wednesday, March 09, 2016

Substance ... Not Structure (Colossians 2:16-19)

Today's scripture: Colossians 2:16-19

In Paul's day, many festivals and feasts were celebrated, and apparently, some new Christians were judging others regarding how to celebrate those days. This isn't so different today. With so many denominations, we often adhere to structure rather than substance. We cling to our "this is how we do it" leading to division, instead of focusing on what makes us the same: sons and daughters of God.

Only a few non-negotiables are important if you're a Christian: belief in the One True God of the Bible, belief in His word, and acceptance of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God the Son.

When and how communion is taken isn't a "stake in the sand" issue. We shouldn't come to blows because your church sings hymns and mine sings praise songs ... or vice versa. Even how one is baptized isn't a deal-breaker.

For far too many years (decades ... centuries), the world has looked at division in the church, and has said, "They can't even get along with each other; how can they expect to get along with the rest of us?" Division has caused unnecessary anguish and conflict. And how this must break our Savior's heart. He died so that we could come to salvation, and when we come to salvation, we're a part of His family. We are His church, His bride.

We need to take our focus off of the things that don't really matter and put it on the one thing that does: the "substance [that] belongs to Jesus Christ."

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