[Click the reference above to read The Message version online.]
The controversy we see in these verses is over religion.
Religion is a set of rules to help us get to God. But in Jesus, God tore down the curtain, abolished the rules, and opened a way to Himself through His Son's sacrifice.
Nothing else is needed. It is finished. Done. For those who truly, whole-heartedly, trust in Christ for salvation through His work on the cross there is nothing more to do but love Him and worship Him. But even if we are faithless, He is faithful.
...if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.
2 Timothy 2:13 NIV84
Many of the divisions in the Church today revolve around religion --- rules and tradition.
It's sad really. It's one of the means the enemy uses to disarm the Church. And many of us don't even see it.
There is one thing that is needed to be a member of the one Church. Faith in Jesus. A willingness to accept His grace and the truth that there's not one thing He needs us to do to earn our way in...
Maybe we need to consider the question:
Don't we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus
amazingly and out of sheer grace and generosity moved to save us...?
Acts 15:11 Msg
What do you believe when it comes to salvation? Do you let religion get in the way of uniting His Church?
Father God bless me with the faith and understanding to accept
and receive Your grace through Christ Jesus. I long for Your Church
to be all You intend it to be. Don't let me be in the way of Your work.
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
There is one body, and one Spirit --- just as you were called to one hope
when you were called --- one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:3-5 NIV84
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