“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.” (James 5:8-9)
I have seen a beautiful thing in the past few months – brothers and sisters are starting to drop their denominational barriers and fellowshipping together.
I wrote quite a while back about the pastor I had as a middle teenager, Pastor Tom Waters. Pastor Tom had a meeting every Thursday at a particular restaurant here in Quincy for a group of friends. There was a Catholic priest, Lutheran pastor, Assembly of God, and I think there might have even been a Jewish rabbi who sat in from time to time. All totaled, there were 6 or 7 of them gathered around a big round table in the middle of the restaurant – eating, laughing, sharing, just being friends with one another. Tom, by the way, was an American Baptist (not to be confused with Southern Baptist). He was a free-thinker, a true man of God who understood that all who gathered at that table worshipped the same Jesus (I believe the rabbi was messianic) and served the same God. That made them brothers.
He often invited me to join them (as a fifteen or sixteen year old). I would sit quietly, listen, and learn. It was a blessing beyond compare! To hear of their individual struggles, to listen as they shared funny anecdotes and stories about their churches and lives, and to watch as they joined hands and prayed together. I was honored to be included in that group.
As I matured in the faith, I watched with more clear vision as the Church – the Body of Christ – splintered deeply into their separate trenches. It got so bad that denominational churches wouldn’t even associate with each other! Some of this came from fear. The pastors feared they would lose their congregants to the other churches, so they would sequester themselves and their congregations from everybody else. Sadly, this was also the same time frame our churches stopped growing. We stopped going out and reaching the lost, choosing instead to take up a defensive stance and protect what was ours.
I am encouraged by this recent development within the churches of cross-fellowshipping. But then again, perhaps I am an anomoly, having been dedicated in a local community church, exposed to Pentecostal, baptized in a United Christian church, helped found a Southern Baptist church here in town, then back to Pentecostal. Through the years I have attended Catholic mass services, Lutheran services, literal holy-roller Holy Spirit services, and very conservative services. Praise God for each one because each one serves our Jesus Christ and reaches different types of people. Each one points our minds and our hearts to Jesus and attempts to develop a love of Christ in our hearts. And, surprise, surprise, the Church is slowly awaking out of its slumber and reaching out into the communities again!
I can’t think of a time when this message of James applies more than right now. Satan is turning up the heat in this world, people are more agitated now than ever, and many are desparately seeking relief and answers. Answers that we have! Answers we have always had, but just been too busy fighting one another to get the message out. He is merely echoing the message we read all through the New Testament (and the Old as well) – quit holding grudges against one another, quickly forgive, keep your eyes on the mission, and let’s pull the plow together. I know this will upset some people as they read what I have written. They will try to quote the scripture about being unequally yoked together with unbelievers (i.e. a Baptist working alongside a Catholic to accomplish a work), they may even talk to me about what fellowship does darkness have with the light. Trust me, I’ve heard it all before.
Let me ask you a question as we close: If Paul were alive today and wanted to write a letter to the church in (your hometown), to what church would he address it? The Baptist church (and if so, which one?), the Lutheran church, the Assembly of God church, or the Catholic church? My followup question would be this: After reading that letter, would that church pass the letter on to the others or not?
In the introduction to one of my books I wrote that Jesus Christ is coming back for One Bride, One Church. He is neither a polygamist nor a player. He has One Bride made up of many members. We need each other to complete the Body. And the world needs us. It’s time for us to drop the charades, drop the walls, and begin building the Body and preparing her for His imminent return. James writes in our verses today that the Judge is standing in the anteroom simply awaiting the word from the Father to enter. The Day of the Lord is here, my friend. The trumpet call is just around the next revolution of the sun, the call is soon-coming. Are you ready?
Today I encourage you to clear out your closet. If you have something against a brother or sister, it is time to get it right. Better yet, if they have ought against you – Jesus taught that we should leave our offering at the altar, go and get it settled first, then come make our offering. That’s tough, but that’s scripture. Be ready, my friend. I want to see you at the table of the wedding supper of the Lamb.
Be blessed.
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