Izod, Polo, Chanel, Liz Claiburne, Armani, Hagar, Arrow, Dockers, ECT…Each one of these names carries with it a thought about clothing or fashion. Many are affordable while others are not. We might like a certain name brand more than others or wish we could afford one that is out of our reach, yet the brand or label is on a piece of clothing. What would it be like if we decided because we couldn’t afford to purchase our favorite label of clothing, we didn’t wear any clothes at all? Some people might not look that bad unclothed, but most of us need to stay covered up. Clothes provide us with protection, warmth on a cold day, or just the decency of not showing all of our wrinkles, rolls, or imperfections.
What does this have to do with anything? Most of us would agree that wearing clothes is a good thing (most of the time anyway). Over the years of talking to people about attending church, I have heard all kinds of excuses of why not to attend. The most common has been that they don’t like man-made religion. I have always agreed with that statement. I don’t believe that God likes man-made religion either. Matter of fact in James 1 He gives us the definition of religion that He likes.
James 1:26-27 (ESV)
26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.
27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Just as clothes have labels, churches have labels. We might not agree with everything that takes place within this denomination or that one, nor will we agree with everything that a particular church does or teaches.
Do you like praise choruses or hymns; bands or organs; skits & videos or liturgies? Every one of us has a different taste of what is meaningful worship. Is one right and one wrong? Or is one better than the other? The only way to answer that is by searching scriptures. I can just imagine the churches in Jesus’ day arguing if the songs of David were better than the songs of Solomon or even Moses. Maybe someone would like the harp better than the lyre and the cymbals. Even in the church at Corinth, they argued about who was the most important teacher; as they said I follow Paul or I follow Apollos. Paul states that each person had a place. I believe that each denomination or each style of worship has a place. Not everyone is going to believe or worship exactly alike.
But, God has put the church here for us to be a part of a family of caring individuals that worship Him together and share His love with a hurting world by sharing Jesus Christ. Can we agree that Jesus is the only way to get to heaven? Can we agree that Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross and that He rose again on the 3rd day victorious? Also, can we agree that through a personal relationship with Jesus gives us victory for today and hope for eternity? Those questions lead us to common ground. We need to focus on that commonality and not on our difference.
As a believer, are you walking around naked? I hope not. Find that church that best fits what you believe the Bible teaches about God and His Son Jesus, while supporting you in your walk with Him.
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