I am going to go out on a limb

here and say that over the years I have observed a lot of people and churches

professing to be Christian.

I have also observed that if

someone truly professes to be a follower of Christ, then changes do occur

in their lives. If there is no change, then what has it profited the individual

or the people around them for them to have become a Christian? Is it just

"fire insurance" for the individual? My Bible says, "By

their fruits you will know them."

While I was an Army chaplain,

we worked on a daily basis with the entire spectrum of different denominations.

We had chaplains from over 200 recognized endorsing agencies representing

various Christian religious groups.

If that doesn't boggle your

mind, think how important it was for us all to cooperate to accomplish

the mission of defending our country and providing spiritual support for

soldiers and their families. I worked with every imaginable Christian

faith group, many of which were very close to my religious roots and some

who were, in my opinion, only sympathizers at best.

One thing I noticed about the

ones professing to be Christian was their attempt to see the bigger picture

of the Kingdom of God. In other words, these men were willing to "COOPERATE"

for the greater good of professing Christ to a dying world.

We had our differences. Some

wore robes in the pulpit, some did not.

There were different modes

of communion. Some used grape juice some wine. Some had music, some did

not. Some had candles in their worship, some did not.

Some quoted the Apostle's Creed,

some did not. Some carried the cross down the aisle at the beginning of

the service, some did not. Some had the choir process at the beginning

of the service and then depart at the close of the service, some did not.

Some had an invocation and

benediction, some did not. Some services played Bach and some only Gaither.

Some worshipped on Saturday some did not.

Some observed dietary laws,

some did not. Some wore distinctive under garments to denote their faith,

some did not. Some raised their hands in worship to God, some sat quietly

and worshipped. Some utilized a keyboard and a drum set, some used only

the pipe organ. Some used only the hymn book some only stapled together

song sheets.

Some used prayer beads and

prayer books, some did not. Some knelt when they prayed, some sat quietly

in the pews.

There were different theologies

of baptism. Some immersed, as I did, and some practiced baptism through

sprinkling.

I will never forget the story

from my father who served as a Southern Baptist chaplain in both WWII

and in Korea. There was a soldier who had a fatal wound and dad had him

cradled in his arms during his last hours. Dad shared the gospel with

him and he received Christ.

The soldier then asked dad

to baptize him. Dad had no means to do this and even his and the soldier's

canteen was empty and there was no water around. Dad reached down and

scooped up a handful of dirt and placed it on his head and said "I

baptize you in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Throughout all of these experiences

I have, however, noticed a common ground with most of those who, in my

opinion, loved God. This common ground was our FAITH in CHRIST as LORD

and COOPERATION WITH OTHER CHRISTIANS.

This past weekend we conducted

our fourth annual March for Jesus. We had a good turnout of people and

it certainly was a message to our community that there are believers who

are willing to let the whole world know where they stand. Our two themes

were "UNITY and the fact that "WE ARE NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL"

There was, however, another

message. Whereas we had several churches participating, we are still not

where we should be. We could have and should have had every church bus

and van in the Fayette area. We could have and should have had a five-

mile- long march.

Whenever there is a countywide

or citywide Christian event the pastors need to encourage their congregations

to support it 100 percent. Of course, some might feel that Heaven will

be segregated, with only their church group there. May God forgive us

for the lack of insight into the basic Gospel message.

God created us all and loves

each and every one of us enough to send His Son to die for each and every

one of us. For that message, it is worth getting out of our ivory towers

and marching and cooperating. The world is watching how we get along and

IF we practice what we preach.

Dr. Knox Herndon is the pastor

of His House Community Church (SBC) and a former Army chaplain. The church

has moved to its new location just below Senoia on Ga. Highway 85, a mile

south of Hwy. 16 below the fire station. Visitors are welcome. Church

office and

Back

to News Home Page |