SECTS


    Sects are not bad. There is misunderstanding
as to what they are.
   Cowles Multiplex dictionary says-

   sect - a number of persons united in some
particular faith or doctrine

   Webster's New World Dictionary says-

   Sect - a path - way - method - party - faction
- doctrine - to follow -

   1.A religious denomination, esp. a small group
that has broken away from an established church.

   2. Any group of people having a common
leadership, set of opinions, philosophical
doctrine, political principals, etc.; specifically
a faction of a larger group, and a secondary
meaning---separated.
   None of that is bad in anyway and is true of
all denominations.
   Sect is a good word and to understand it is to
keep a right mooring on all those who speak to the
issue of Christianity today.       
   To follow it along some, Cowles says
of "SECTARIAN "....  

   A member of an organization devoted to one
belief or doctrine, a bigoted person."

   Before I insult anyone and I do not intend to,
consider this---A person discussing the merits of
---once saved always saved ---with a person who
believes in an in and out state of grace existence
are each bigoted toward their belief........Same
thing with the speaking in tongues issue.
   People see things differently and therein lies
the pollution of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
   Jesus is not about those issues.
   Satan is about those issues.
   If Satan can keeps the sects as sects, to that
degree he separates the followers of Christ.
   Those who have responded to the Spirit of God
and trust Him to keep His word are redeemed from
eternal death and have everlasting life. And
remember " no man cometh to the Father save the
spirit draw him" - Even the "want to" comes from
Him.     
   As human beings we tend to gravitate toward
those who are like us to some degree.
   We also tend to group together because our
family has always done it this way.  Groups and
families and get-togethers are good. Sects are ok
and camaraderie is good but our relationship with
Christ is not a group one.
   It is one on one, between the person and
Jesus..........Fellowship is good and necessary
but can not be substituted for our relationship
with Him.
   "Do we believe that?" "What do we believe
about this or that" - These can be legitimate
questions but we take the answers we get and go to
God and and say "make me to understand"
   If it takes a lifetime of searching (and it
will) it doesn't matter and during that lifetime
if people don't understand our search for truth,
so be it.
   God NEVER violates our free will at anytime
and yet if we trust Him He will change us and make
us who He created us to be.        
   To really, truly believe in the Power of Gods
Spirit to change us, to really believe that in
some marvelous, beyond our understanding, way, He
puts His Spirit in us and calls us His because of
Jesus.....Truly that is Grace.

David