34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34
As we take the Cup and Bread tonight in Maundy Thursday services, remembering the life and sacrifice of Christ our Lord, we should prayerfully consider the verse above.
Christ told His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, and by that love the world would know that they belonged to Him. We should be holding that commandment close to our hearts, and in our churches, but too often we don't.
We in our churches pick fights with other denominations, over doctrine, over dogma, over service styles, robes and music! How much love is there to be seen in that?!
Yes, we need to hold to the truth of Christ's message, and yes, when we see faulty doctrine it must be addressed; but in a spirit of love and love alone. If we seek to pick fights with other Christians because we simply do not like their music choices, service style, use or lack of candles, bells and incense, then what love is there in us for our fellow believers?
Put down your denominational banners and pick up the standard of Christ! How you choose to worship has more to do with your comfort level usually than it does about righteousness. There are good devout believers in all Churches that hold to the Bible as the Word of God. There are brethren in the ranks of all the creedal Churches, just as there is chaff within your own church.
We should be known first as followers of Christ Jesus, and then as Anglicans, or Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Orthodox or whatever denomination you find yourself in. It is Christ we serve, not the denomination. It is Christ who died for us and saved us, not our worship style.
Put down your petty battles and bickering; the world mocks us because Christians cannot show hospitality and generosity with each other, let alone others, due to small minded arguments.
As you take the Body and Blood of Christ tonight, make sure you have love for all believers, not only those who sit in the same pew.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
As we take the Cup and Bread tonight in Maundy Thursday services, remembering the life and sacrifice of Christ our Lord, we should prayerfully consider the verse above.
Christ told His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, and by that love the world would know that they belonged to Him. We should be holding that commandment close to our hearts, and in our churches, but too often we don't.
We in our churches pick fights with other denominations, over doctrine, over dogma, over service styles, robes and music! How much love is there to be seen in that?!
Yes, we need to hold to the truth of Christ's message, and yes, when we see faulty doctrine it must be addressed; but in a spirit of love and love alone. If we seek to pick fights with other Christians because we simply do not like their music choices, service style, use or lack of candles, bells and incense, then what love is there in us for our fellow believers?
Put down your denominational banners and pick up the standard of Christ! How you choose to worship has more to do with your comfort level usually than it does about righteousness. There are good devout believers in all Churches that hold to the Bible as the Word of God. There are brethren in the ranks of all the creedal Churches, just as there is chaff within your own church.
We should be known first as followers of Christ Jesus, and then as Anglicans, or Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Orthodox or whatever denomination you find yourself in. It is Christ we serve, not the denomination. It is Christ who died for us and saved us, not our worship style.
Put down your petty battles and bickering; the world mocks us because Christians cannot show hospitality and generosity with each other, let alone others, due to small minded arguments.
As you take the Body and Blood of Christ tonight, make sure you have love for all believers, not only those who sit in the same pew.
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
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