French Fries or Sushi

I have been thinking quite a bit lately about competition within the body of Christ and specifically between churches. And quite frankly, I don't think this competition is Biblical. 

I have been at too many churches where they believe their style of preaching or worship is THE only true Biblical style. This is a dangerous road to take, in fact that is what happened with the Pharisees. 

Let's see what Jesus said about this:

To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14

As the body of Christ we need to be careful that we are not "confident of our own righteousness and look down on everyone else".  

The beauty of the church (meaning the body... not the building) is that it isn't a "one size fits all" type of religion. Just because you prefer to rock out to some electric guitar worship led by some guy with full sleeve tattoos doesn't mean that the church down the street that sings out of hymnals to an organ is any less or more righteous than your church. 

Rather than wondering how in the world the church down the street is continuing to grow, despite what you may think about it, maybe you should rejoice in the fact that it IS growing... that there are people who are coming to know Jesus! The Kingdom of God is expanding and people are being reached. 

"...we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." Luke 15:32

You may be wondering what in the world sushi has to do with french fries and how is this related to this post... 

Let's say you choose to go out to dinner tonight with your spouse or a friend... where would you choose to go? Sushi? Steak? Burger and Fries? Chances are you will not choose the same place as your friend or spouse... however, that doesn't make one place better than another. All of the choices will nourish you, they will fill you up and provide you with the fellowship your soul craves. It's much the same with the body of Christ. 

Where will you choose to be fed? 

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:8