If you are praying with me, today’s focus is on barriers to be broken among denominations.
A ministry I was involved in almost merged with another church. One church hosted communion weekly while the other hosted communion monthly. This was the biggest point of contention, and ultimately one of the main reasons why the two churches did not merge. Both churches were within the same denomination; they just could not agree on the frequency of when to host communion. Therefore, a sacrament intended to unite God and his people at the table ultimately served to divide two church communities because neither church could move past their traditional approaches.
For some reason, the Lord has been highlighting to me that at some point we were separate from Christ, without hope, excluded from citizenship in Israel and a stranger to the covenant of the promise. Jesus, in His great mercy, united two groups and reconciled us to himself through Christ.
While we fight over our denominational approaches, we fail to recognize that at some point we were not even part of the covenant. Instead of focusing on our differences, we should stand together in humility and in thanksgiving. Praise God that He united Jew and Gentile and destroyed the wall of hostility, creating one new humanity, which we now get to be a part of. It is in unity amongst all God’s people where God makes his dwelling.
We are living in days of intense division over all kinds of things. We cannot singlehandedly unite the world, but we can unite the world around us. Ask God today to give you insight into areas of your life where you may be divisive and ask for forgiveness. Ask God to give you insight into denominational traditions that may serve to further divide the Church and ask God for wisdom on how to break free from them..
Let me reiterate, it is in unity that God dwells.
Scripture References: 2 Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:14-16
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