2 Chronicles 28-29; John 17

ROBERT FROST said “Good fences make good neighbors.” Probably. But they don’t make good FAMILIES.

Looking around at all the Christian denominations,

you’d think that God wanted it that way.

Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Presbyterians – all divided by the “fences” of their core values.

And each denomination, confident of their spiritual superiority – advertise “core values” that have separated them for centuries – issues like music, baptism, and political structure.

Sounds almost spiritual – that is – until you hear Jesus’ core value

of UNITY:

“Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one.”

 

“May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

 

For sure – there are real core values in Scripture – things like:

Who Jesus is, His literal death and resurrection, Salvation by grace through faith alone.

But it’s a SHORT list. And when non-essentials are tacked-on,

OUR human “core values” usually violate HIS:  

“OUR way of baptizing is the only true baptism.”

JESUS’ response: “May they be brought to complete unity.”

“OUR church government is the only right structure.”

JESUS’ response: “May they be brought to complete unity.”

“OUR music (or lack of it) is the only kind that pleases God.”

JESUS’ response: “May they be brought to complete unity.”

ROBERT FROST was a great poet.

But I don’t think we should make a theologian out of him.

“Fences” may be fine for neighbors; but not for FAMILY.

Have a Fantastic Thursday!

Tags: 2 Chronicles, Bayside Church Woodland, Bayside Woodland, Bible Study, John