The National Treasure

We who trust in Jesus Christ to save us are His Church. All our denominations and doctrinal divisions do not change the facts in God’s view. We are one in Him even if we are divided in our ideology. Jesus Christ is above our little theologies; He is God.

Perhaps the worst of our heresies is the one that says “Our denomination is the only true church.” Some go so far as to pronounce damnation on others whom Christ has washed from sin by His own blood. It is shameful.

For the last few years my wife and I have been visiting Sunday gatherings of many denominations. We felt lead of God to go and see His church in all its colors. Our conclusion? God’s people are beautiful. They love their God with all their heart. We sensed the presence of the Spirit in every house. There is a treasure buried in each congregation, and the treasure is Christ. Paul said, “This treasure we have in earthen vessels (clay jars, terracotta pots.)” The vessels are humble and flawed but the contents are holy and priceless.

If we would feed the hungry, assist the poor, heal the sick, house the homeless and wield the influence of God’s love over our nation, we would first acknowledge the wealth that dwells in every believing heart. The God who is Love inhabits each of us.

Because Christ Himself dwells in the hearts of His people, they are the presence of His Grace in America. This has been my argument in these articles. To those who reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, this may seem like an arrogant position, but to those who welcome Him into their lives (as eternal life) it is the inexplicable mercy of God on miserable sinners. We will not surrender the gift of His salvation just because it is politically incorrect. God does not keep His finger in the bowl of public opinion to test its temperature.

Though doctrine is very important, Jesus is not a doctrine. He is Lord of all. He is the Love in us, through us and between us. I suspect that we hold fast to our ideas so we can avoid holding fast to our Savior. Belief systems are predictable, neat, tidy and under our control. No man controls Christ, and no man can predict what Christ will do. With our theology we build seemingly safe and secure foundations for living our lives. Jesus Christ is the only foundation, the only security and the only life. Far from safe, He likes to take us walking on troubled waters that make us hold tight to Him. Living by points “A”, “B”, and “C” is easier than living by the Alpha and the Ωmega. The wildness he calls us to is Love: His Love. It will heal our nation.

Here is a lyric from one of my songs that I think applies to our subject:

We're as different as each other.

We're the same as everyday.

We are as one as the only.

We are more than we can say.

We are every one a treasure

Hidden in the clay

And if we can't see it,

We might throw it all away.

Hold on To your brother.

To your sister, hold on.

Hold on to one another.

Don't let the wind come and blow it away,

Don't let the wind come and blow it all away.

She may not say what you wanna hear

Or hold the things that you hold dear;

A different set of values;

He does some things that gall you.

But she's a blood bought Child,

A lamb of the Lamb.

He's too tame.

She's too wild.

But he's you.

She's family.

Didn't He leave us with a clear commandment?

“Love one another,” I think He was adamant,

He tried to tell us, He tried to sell us

That the world would all know Who we follow by our Love.

I used to carry my bible

Like I was carrying a gun.

Never thought I would be libel

For any damage I had done.

I was up on the Christian talk,

I memorized the Word,

But I didn't love my brother.

I hadn't really heard a thing…