Who Is God: A Practical Evaluation
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
I am continually awed by the arrogance of the faithful. A friendly person called me from out of state about her struggle between her current church and her history as a Presbyterian. The conversation began as a question of the difference between the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod's beliefs on communion and the Presbyterian Church (USA). She said her pastors told her the communion she took in the Lutheran Church was beneficial to salvation. Still, her Presbyterian mother does not accept communion in an acceptable manner, leaving Presbyterians at the fringe of salvation.
This is an open devotion to those specific Missouri Synod pastors. Think theologically before you speak! First, God calls us to possess a compassionate and loving heart. How merciful was it to throw doubt on faithful family members' salvation just because they picked the "wrong" denomination of Protestant Christianity? Are all at spiritual risk who do not have a Missouri Lutheran Church within driving distance?
Second, and more disturbing, are the theological implications for perceiving the Triune God. What does it say about the nature and person of the God Head if we, by failure of circumstance, are born in a region of the world where there are no Missouri Synod Lutherans? What does it say about God if Bible-reading, prayer-disciplined, mission-minded Presbyterians are at the fringe and at risk of losing their salvation? What kind of God are we portraying to the world? Does the belief that almost everyone else is bound for hell make us callused to value other people on earth?
Do not get mad at these arrogant "men" of the cloth and forget about them. Instead, use their arrogant example as an opportunity to reflect on who you believe God to be in this world. Through the direction of the Holy Spirit in prayer, reading of scripture, and weekly worship, seek to define the qualities of God's divine nature. Is God a divine being ready to destroy well-meaning, faith-filled people because of a doctrinal difference? Or, is our God one who sees us all as God's children needing care, instruction, love, and forgiveness? Even those outside Christianity? Your answer will define how you relate to others, yourself, and God.