Happy Father's Day Everyday!

Recently I was listening to a great podcast about how simple it is to develop a relational connection to God. A person had sent in an email asking how. He was frustrated saying it was his experience that the average person has about the same chance of developing a relationship with God as winning the lottery. I stopped to think about how someone could ever think that, but actually it's quite easy given the world we live in.

How many religious systems even agree about how God communicates to us? There are systems that actually judge and shun and people who don't think the same way. There must be more than 25,000 Christians sects in existence. This is pretty confusing if someone is looking for God in one of these groups. How confusing and misleading! It is discouraging to people looking from the outside in. That type of thinking can even discourage those on the inside looking around. Zealous Christians do some very human things and separating into groups is tops on the list. So much for human design. There is one Lord, Jesus Christ, not a bunch of human mini lordships.

God provided one mediator between God and man, the man Jesus Christ. The simple answer for access to God is to accept the finished work of Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?

There were many things going on in Corinth at the time this was written. Paul had to address some very basic concepts. Remember the people who lived during this time had no ipods, TV revivals, ezines, Kindle, or even Bibles! paul walked into town and talked to them about Jesus Christ.

What separates people, denominations and groups of all types? It is not always a section of the Bible doctrine. I have seen groups that exist within miles of each other who believe exactly the same thing and yet remain separate, not approving of each other. Even in a very tight knit group and families, people will not see eye to eye on all things. I Corinthians 1 addresses division.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. I Corinthians 2:2

Jesus Christ is a simple truth. Jesus walked this earth doing God's will and teaching all who would listen about God's love, not only in words, but in powerful works that were available to all. It is not complicated. As God's son, when he was crucified and buried, God, the maker of the heavens and the earth, the God of all power, got His son up from the dead and made him lord over those who would believe.

I John 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

As sons of God we belong to a great family. I am so thankful when a brother or sister in Christ shares the heart of God that is timely and full of love. I am not really looking to see where we differ in doctrine. It is my own responsibility to read the Word and  trust God to give the increase. We have so much to offer each other when we understand and believe God works in our hearts through the spirit and His Word.