It always makes me feel a bit off when a preacher or teacher I listen to says something that I do not agree with. That is the case with John Piper this week and his comments on excommunicating a believer who marries a non-believer from church, and (even so) why someone would choose them as a mate. I also recently found out he doesn’t believe in the Rapture (which I do :: pre-tribulation 100%), and there are a few other things within his camp that have been spoken I do not adhere to. And while this isn’t the first time, I have not come into alignment with a teacher of the Word, it does bring up my thoughts on “denominations” as a whole. I mean there is but 1 Bible (i.e.: the true Word of God as given by power of the Holy Spirit) and it seems more and more denominations every year. Also there are various translations, some right (for ease of understanding and modern language) and some very wrong. The former really boils down to a difference of opinions and laws, rather than the original division of the church which was by location. I was raised in Southern Baptist, Baptist, Pentecostal, and Non-Denomination churches, so in my early adult life I did attend Bible studies and  services with various other “sectors” of the Christian faith which in turn solidified how I now say, “I am a believer in what the Bible (Word of God) says, and Jesus Christ as Savior”, rather than give a specific sect. There is a lot of variances out there folks!

Am I alone in my thoughts on this? I dare think not, and I know 100% that scripture is set forth to challenge, change, and refine who we are to be evermore transformed into the image of Christ, but I'm not sharing any new revelation by saying that there are some variances across what is thought from church to church, even within a denomination itself. My mom refers to them as "their own rules and bylaws, taken from their own interpretation of the Word". She chuckles saying, "It ain't like God is going to have Presbyterians in one corner and Baptists in the other, everyone who has accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, is His child, we are a family, together". 

When I read the article I thought about Hosea who God commanded to marry someone who was going to be unfaithful (over and over) in order to complete His will and show His love, mercy, and grace in comparison to a nation.

When the Lord began to speak through Hosea, the Lord said to him, “Go, marry a promiscuous woman and have children with her, for like an adulterous wife this land is guilty of unfaithfulness to the Lord.” So he married Gomer daughter of Diblaim, and she conceived and bore him a son.
Hosea 1:2-3 (NIV)

So then when I come upon something like this, I think about how I recommend people (to watch) and share some of their works, and how someone might think that I agree 100% with everything they say, but please know I don’t. Another example for this point, I am inked, not once or twice, but five times. So I say this search the scriptures, commune with God, ask the Holy Spirit for discernment and He will speak to you on a real, intimate, and personal level regarding that which you are reading, watching online, or even being taught in your home Church. There is no doubt that I have changed from being someone who thought all preachers spoke the truth, to a more discerning listener who once heard a pastor say he would only donate Bible to the homeless if it would increase his weekly attendance count, to know we are all imperfect creatures, trusting in a perfect God, formed of the blessed Trinity (Father, Son, & Spirit).

Peace, love, and blessings to you through our Savior, Jesus Christ! 💙