Tuesday, February 24, 2009

The Fellowship Challenge...Part II

Whats more important, fellowship with man or fellowship with God?

I suppose the answer to this question again lies with where you are, in your search for truth. Is the biblical version of creation true or is the theory of evolution true? This is a debate that spans modern mans existence and is meant to cause confusion, because both take the faith of the person involved to make sense to the point of being believable.

Consider; Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast.


The creation story in Genesis 1 contributes all life on earth to God and that nothing evolved on it's own. every creature was given the ability to reproduce after it's own kind. Dogs make dogs, cats make cats and man makes man.

Charles Darwin the father of the evolution theory expressed that evolution in relation to the eye was absurd when he said;

To suppose that the eye could have been formed by natural selection, seems, I freely confess, absurd in the highest degree.



- Charles Darwin


Now back to the question at hand which is more important fellowship with man or fellowship with God?

When we examine the interaction of man with God and each other throughout the bible narratives, we can clearly see a pattern taken place. Adam was in fellowship with God before eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Cain and Abel both attempted fellowship with God by their offerings. And at the end of Genesis 4 it states that men began to call on the name of God.

In chapter 6 of Genesis we see that God is grieved in his heart for the making of man but found favor in one man Noah, to whom God extends His grace, the text says that Noah walked with God.

Then in chapter 12 of Genesis along comes Abram whom God said all families of the earth would be blessed through.

Now lets skip ahead to Jacob chapter 28 of Genesis where God introduces himself to Jacob and promises that his descendants will be as the dust of the earth and that all families of the earth will be blessed through him.

Then there is Joseph chapter 39 of Genesis the text says God was with him and all that he did prospered to the point of notice of those over him.

Further along chapter 3 of Exodus Moses meets Gods spirit in the burning bush and as we read through that story we notice the relationship with God begins timidly to the assurance of Moses to be able to speak his mind to God and even influence God in His decisions.

Then there is Joshua where the promise of the land of Canaan is realized God tells him as I was with Moses so I will be with you.

Now lets fast forward through to the New Testament, not that the rest of the Old Testament Judges or Prophets hold no sway but to show that the beginning of relationship starts with God then extends itself to man.

The promise of Jesus Christ and the the man sent from God to prepare the way John the Baptist as you can plainly see all instances begin first in relation to God then to man.

However the mystery of this all is in the fact that in 1John 4:20 it says;

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.


Imagine if you will that throughout the history of man if this formula of God first, given to us through the Holy Bible was followed. Would there be 33,000 plus christian denominations vying for the souls of men?

Consider; Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 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.


Next question. Is becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ more important than joining a Christian denomination?

Until then;

May...

The Lord bless and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

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All posts by M.A.C. © Bruce W. Moar

1 comment:

M.A.C. said...

Thank you for the kind words Elaina!