If you come from an Episcopalian background, but now attend a Methodist church, are you an Episcodist or Methodalian?

What about a Mormon attending a Pentecostal church: Morcostal or Pentemon?

Here's a good one: A Lutheran now going to a Catholic church: Catheran or Lutholic?

My oh my, the choices are so numerous one could be considered a member of a denominational Scrabble team! Which one's right? Which one gathers more favor with the Lord? Let's see what the Bible says:

"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit." (1 Corinthians 12:13)

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28)

Hmm...the first verse says that all who are saved are nourished in their faith by the same Holy Spirit. And the second verse says that nationality, social status nor sex matters. Could it be that when we ask Jesus to save us, He does, regardless of who we are or from what background we come? Let's explore further:

"So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another." (Romans 12:5)

I see no denominational favoritism in the above verse. On the contrary, it would appear that all have an equal opportunity to serve the Lord. And service to the Lord brings His reward:

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free." (Ephesians 6:7-8)

So, denomination is not considered in our service to Him. But is it a consideration when we first ask Him to be our Lord and Savior?

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

No, Jesus does not look at our nationality, denomination, social status nor sex when we ask Him to save us. He only wants your heartfelt belief in Him and your verbal confession:

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

So, go ahead...pick one. Are you a:

A. Presbytist or Bapterian?

B. Morcostal or Pentemon?

C. Catheran or Lutholic? Or how about,

D. None of the above.

Did you choose D? Because if you've released your life to the power of God, and happily proclaim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are a Christian:

"But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him." (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Jesus is not bound by the wood and nails of a church. You can attend every church in town, but the name over the door of that building is not going to get you to Heaven. You must trust in the only name that matters...the name of Jesus:

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)

Just remember, "whosoever" means anyone. It makes no difference from where you come, it only matters where you're going.

Keith

08-11-2003