Got Faith?

I don't know why I do it. It must be some type of psychological disorder. When it comes to religion, I seem to have this warped deep seated need for everyone to agree with me - as if somehow their agreement and approval is needed to validate my own beliefs and faith.

The ironic thing about my disorder is the fact that I do in fact receive affirmation and agreement from 99% of the Christian community at large. Contrary to recent reports my ideas are neither radical nor liberal. My core beliefs line up and are right in step with most all main stream conservative Bible believing Christian Churches.

It's not that I agree with 100% of the things taught and practiced by the 99%, I just happen to agree with the important stuff - the core stuff. They all have their quirks mind you, but if you check their basic beliefs they all are trusting in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They all preach Christ and him crucified. That puts us on the same team. That makes us brothers.

Our differences, though many, do not make me crazy. I do not fret and lose sleep over the fact that the Pentecostals disagree with me about the subject of Spiritual gifts. I don't worry about the fact that some of the Baptist believe in eternal security. I don't care that the Church of Christ uses accappella music. In my little mind, those thing all fall under the heading of Romans 14 and do not in anyway dilute or change the message of the gospel.

But i must admit, It's that last 1% that really gets under my skin. They know how to push my buttons. They know that I can't resist. It is like waving a twinkie in the face of a fat guy on a diet. One mention of religious intolerance, Spiritual exclusiveness, or self imposed doctrinal supremacy, and off I go. When will I ever learn?

I was raised on a steady diet of sermons about how different we are, and frankly
"I am full of it" (my critics will appreciate that pun) I simply choose to live out the rest of my days focusing on how much we are the same. I shouldn't have to apologize for that.

Should I??

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