Post by questionmark on Aug 20, 2013 10:08:02 GMT -6
Jesus prayed for unity as well as diversity, and there is a way of unity among Christians that is called communion or sharing in the Lord's Supper. The Lord's Supper is something that all those in Christ should be able to do together and it is not acceptable for them to refuse to do if they are in Christ. Nor is it acceptable for anyone to refuse them if they are in Christ. The only real question should be whether they are in Christ, or whether they are apart from Him. Even mediocre and barely-believing sinners are called in Christ to the Lord's Supper.
I speak this way with regard to the reformation because every reformed person should be actively be seeking reconciliation with all other Christians, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is said wisely that "Every reformed person needs a reason not to be a Catholic". That is not a statement of disagreement or unhappiness but rather we should seek unity and have a reason not to be united if we must temporarily be disunited.
And, the reformed person should consider themselves disunited, because as long as there are people who trust in the name of Jesus who cannot sit at the same table and participate in the Lord's Supper then we are not united. I am not Roman Catholic but I suggest that every Roman Catholic should also have a reason to deny the non-Catholics. That is, unless there is good reason, then do not deny them! The reason must be so great that it is more important than the unity of all believers.
My reason is personal and objective. There are certain requirements to be Roman Catholic that I cannot in good conscience fit. If a day comes when it is no longer required of all people to believe in the assumption of Mary bodily into heaven or in the immaculate conception of Mary then I may well be Catholic. But that's not a choice I have made. It's reality. Roman Catholics agree that the Bible doesn't teach those things, that is that not a single prophet has taught these things, yet the Roman Church rejects me for not being able to believe. So, I cannot be Catholic even if I want.
It's ok. This is God's plan, to show His glory. He has people in different flocks, and one day they will be united, but not for now.
I speak this way with regard to the reformation because every reformed person should be actively be seeking reconciliation with all other Christians, including the Roman Catholic Church. It is said wisely that "Every reformed person needs a reason not to be a Catholic". That is not a statement of disagreement or unhappiness but rather we should seek unity and have a reason not to be united if we must temporarily be disunited.
And, the reformed person should consider themselves disunited, because as long as there are people who trust in the name of Jesus who cannot sit at the same table and participate in the Lord's Supper then we are not united. I am not Roman Catholic but I suggest that every Roman Catholic should also have a reason to deny the non-Catholics. That is, unless there is good reason, then do not deny them! The reason must be so great that it is more important than the unity of all believers.
My reason is personal and objective. There are certain requirements to be Roman Catholic that I cannot in good conscience fit. If a day comes when it is no longer required of all people to believe in the assumption of Mary bodily into heaven or in the immaculate conception of Mary then I may well be Catholic. But that's not a choice I have made. It's reality. Roman Catholics agree that the Bible doesn't teach those things, that is that not a single prophet has taught these things, yet the Roman Church rejects me for not being able to believe. So, I cannot be Catholic even if I want.
It's ok. This is God's plan, to show His glory. He has people in different flocks, and one day they will be united, but not for now.
