I was reading and meditating on this verse this morning, and these are just some of the thoughts that ended up flowing out of that eventually.
Romans 16:17 - Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
It's verses like this that make me shake my head, for they put too many Christians to shame. I'm not entirely sure what "avoiding them" would look like yet, but Christians don't try to in any sense, it seems. We just take anything remotely under the label of Christian and think it's wonderful. We don't test it against the Scripture, and only then declare it's value.
This is what is sad: that cults and sects like the Jehovah's Witnesses have more diligence about this (and many other commands/rules/etc.) than we who have the real truth do. Some Christians keep away from such verses just to not look like them (not just Jehovah's Witnesses). But in doing so, we lose our God. For we must take all of Him or none at all. If we think we have Him and follow Him because we have pieces of Him (usually only the comfortable pieces)we fool ourselves.
It also is heartbreaking because as much as this world pokes at Christianity, they want to see it truly lived out. What Christianity are we displaying? When sects, cults, etc. show more devotion in following what they believe, it takes from our credibility. We don't, and seemingly can't, live what we teach. Those in sects and cults are not going to believe we have the truth, and those who don't believe at all have nothing to draw them in. This world is looking for and aching to see that the Bible is true and God Is. May we prove to this world the Bible is not just another book, but the Word of God!
Oh may we, His children, be rightfully diligent. May we count all things as loss compared to knowing Him. May we leave the past right where it is and pursue Him and the calling He has for our lives. (Phil 3 ;)) For out of that flows holiness and not just legalism. And true holiness is what this world is longing to see. And true holiness is what will make the difference for His glory.
