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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue # 168 June 14, 2001 IN LOVE?   I visited a website recently that is strongly in favour of one specific translation of the Bible over others. Nothing new or unusual in that, most translations have their fans and their critics. There are I believe strengths and weaknesses in each of the translations. What surprised me was the hate filled rhetoric on this site towards anyone who held a differing view. Some of the arguments presented on the site had intellectual validity, but the level of anger spewing from the writer’s words stopped me from staying very long at the site. If as a believer, I found the site to be too offensive to stay at, what would a non-believer think? What perception would they have of Christians? There are many differences in the Christian church. Diversity is our greatest strength (short of God Himself) and our greatest challenge at the same time. There are many divisive issues to contend with. Some are probably irreconcilable outside of God, some are minor doctrinal issues. Whatever the issues, they need to be dealt with in love. For me personally, if a church adheres to the fundamental tenants of historic Christianity, i.e. the Bible is the truth; Jesus was born of a virgin, lead a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins and was resurrected from the dead; salvation is through grace alone etc. it is a Christian church.{see the statement of faith at the Gleanings website for a more complete list http://gleanings.jesusanswers.com} If it denies these things, it is not. There will be differences in doctrine, worship styles and practices. There will be error, not in God, but in our human expression of love for Him. That doesn’t mean we abandon the work together to bring people to Christ. Each of us must decide for ourselves what doctrines or practices we can not work with, but even then the differences must be handled with love. The world sees enough hatred, it doesn’t need to see it beaming from those who are called to be the light of the world. The old adage, hate the sin and love the sinner applies as much sinners within the church as it does sinners outside its walls. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.                 1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NIV   Until next time, may the Spirit convict you of those people you have chosen not to love and bring you to your knees in repentance.   God bless.   Kevin ©  2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved