LOVE
(and the result: Viable Community)
| "Finally,
brethren,... whatsoever
things are lovely, whatever are of good report, if there be any virtue,
and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which
ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me do: and
the
God of peace shall be with you." (Phil 4:8-9 KJV) |
 "Let
brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for
thereby
some have entertained angels unawares." Hebrews
13:1 - 2
"Use
hospitality one to another without grudging." 1
Peter.4:9
General articles about Christian love:
 Links
outside:
Kingdom Relations - Love
Fulfilling
the Spiritual Law of Love
To love God and to love our neighbor is the fulfillment of all
spiritual
law. What Part of Love Don't You
Understand?
Sometimes
It's Not Nice
To Love
Wounded Hearts
Comparing
Biblical and Modern Love
Inside:
How
Spiritual Abuse Redefines
"Love"
Our love for/from the Lord must extend to our
brothers and sisters
in Christ (1 John 4:7-21; Romans 5:5; John 15: 9-13; 13: 34-35). For
links
on abuse or neglect, see our abuse
page.
UNITY
AND NONSECTARIANISM
It is not the church
which contains the most "truth" which is the most valuable, but the one
that spreads the most love."
p.167. from "The Royal
Way" by Frans Horsthuis
Most claim,
or at least believe, they are dividing over 'truth'. Truth IS vital,
and
even Jesus guarantees that foremost loyalty to Him WILL divide-- even
members
of our own household (Matt. 10:34-38)! However, too many have
used
their love of the 'truth' (as they see it) as an excuse for unnecessary
elitism, division, sectarianism, and even violence and persecution.
When it comes to those who are in Christ, hope
to encourage gracious inclusion rather
than
irresponsible or irrational exclusion. This section is devoted to the
'truth'
about our unity in Christ, which can only be maintained as we abide in
Him as the Head (Col. 1:13-23) of one Body (Eph. 4:1-6).
-Teri
See also: The
Balance of Truth or
Love page brief expository by Teri Lee Earl, with links
In the book of Revelation, Jesus reproved or rebuked
the churches for lack of either one.
 Seek
First the Kingdom -- Or Seek First the Church? by David Bercot
"CHURCHIANITY"
Lord, even though we all know
your judgment's true and just,
we went ahead and saved your sheep
~our judgments you can trust.
And if, Lord, you need more help
we'll gladly point and tell:
"These are those who chose our church
~the rest have chosen hell!"
So when You come to fetch us, Lord,
we've simplified Your search,
and you'll easily find your chosen sheep
~penned up in our church.
-author unknown |
Note:
The reader may also be blessed with
the doctrinal statements of unity that are posted on the Christian
Reunion website.
The deceased Carl Ketcherside devoted the latter part of
his ministry
to unity. Access The
Twisted Scriptures: Preface in which he
states: "Fellowship is not conditioned upon orthodoxy of opinion,
uniformity in knowledge, or conformity in thought. The only unity
possible
to thinking men and women is unity in diversity...To justify division
in
the family of God, which is never once sanctioned by the holy
scriptures,
those scriptures must be wrested, twisted and distorted. It has been my
intention to honestly and humbly investigate some of the passages which
have been cruelly misapplied and return them to their proper
context..." Chapt.
11 of the same on-line book addresses more thoroughly the few
valid
reasons there are to put someone 'out' of a fellowship.
More On Christian to Christian
Cooperation:
On
Becoming a Team
Player by Teri Lee Earl
Feuden
and a fighten by Neal Griffin
To teachings on The Lord's Supper (Communion)
Exclusionionary practices in regards to 'Communion' or
the Lord's Supper
(I Cor. 11:20) over doctrinal issues has contributed to many a
division.
This is especially the case when the leadership involved dictates
'which'
Christians are deemed worthy of partaking it, according to 'who'
accepts
their particular church dogma or party platform. Having a "closed"
communion
in which only those of our sect can participate in is an invention of
man.
The only exclusionary practice related to the Lord's supper seems to be
expressed in 1 Corinth. 5:6-8. Exclusion is to be done only as a last
resort
and with the fear of our Lord in mind. See The Matthew 18 Process
This page
developed/designed by Teri Lee Earl.
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