On waking this morning, my mind was thinking about so many broken friendships and relationships among Christians. I was praying for healing and restorations, and committing everything to the Lord for His capable and restoring hands to heal and restore, and unite his Church. The prayer of Jesus for the disciples and the church, towards the end and before his crucifixion was “that they might be one as We are”. John 17:11 (NKJV) Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. I was thinking that in heaven, how will all the various Christians who have fallen out of friendship with one another here on earth, get on in heaven. As soon as I asked that question, I felt I hear the Holy Spirit said, ‘they will all live together in heaven’. In heaven there are no hatred, envy, jealousy, competition or strive. Hence as candidates for heaven it’s important that we all learn to get along while here on earth. The person you resent, hate or are angry with might be your neighbor in heaven. In heaven you can’t choose who you like or love, you have to love and like everyone. As people, each and every one of us is unique and different. Even identical twins have different personalities, likes, preference, taste and more; hence it’s important that we are patient and kind towards one another. As Christians and believers in Christ it’s important that we focus on what unite us which is Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the one who died and rose again for our justification, the one who took away our sins and died for the sins of the whole world. For me I had to put into practice what I learn in my quiet time with the Lord, so I decided to visit St. Matthew’s Church. I attended the service, the central team of the sermon was about Mary & Martha, and how Martha though passionate about serving was sometimes angry with Mary her sister for not helping her. The nature of the service was quieter than what you will experience in a Pentecostal or Charismatic Church, but I found the service and the people very warm, welcoming, friendly, happy and joyous. I went there without any prejudice, pre-judgment, or expectations; as I approach the entrance to the Church, I said quietly to the Lord, “I am glad to be in the presence of the Lord and worship the Lord among his saints, and I surrender myself to you Jesus”. This act of trusting and surrendering to God gave me a different perspective, I find myself enjoying myself, the worship, the people, the sermon and everything. Jesus is clearly the central focus of the service and of what this Church was about. When we get to heaven, I don’t believe we will have wall of divisions between various denominations, it’s going to be One body of believers in Christ, One Lord Jesus, One God the Father, One Holy Spirit, One body of Christ. If heaven is truly a place you desire to live eternally with God, I will encourage you to start practicing the love walk, remove every criticism and judgment of other Christians and believers in Christ, and truthfully judge no one, but learn to walk in love. Jesus said Judge not. Luke 6:35-37 (NKJV) 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Do Not Judge 37 “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
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Esther Simeon
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