Selfsame Spirit

I overheard a conversation the other day, Ash Wednesday, where a question was asked, "What verses would you use to describe the nature of Christ’s church?"  Not sure why I didn't break into their conversation but I went on about my day.  I guess the following is what I would have said had I'd been asked.

I know what I read in God's Holy Word, I know what the Holy Spirit discerns in my heart ... the Church most assuredly is not a denomination.  Denominations were created by man and we don't serve a man of God ... we serve the God of man. We are Christians - followers of Christ:

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

The following, in context, is talking about gifts (1) and being here in body (2); but both use the word [selfsame] Greek autos; intensive pronoun - the same makes me pause to think.  I know that 1 Corinthians 12:12 goes on to talk about the members of the body, but it is one body.  2 Corinthians 5:5 talks about God brought us to an exact, definite conclusion [he that hath wrought] for the selfsame. 

1. 1 Corinthians 12:11
   But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
   1 Corinthians 12:10-12 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 12 (Whole Chapter)
2. 2 Corinthians 5:5
   Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
   2 Corinthians 5:4-6 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 5 (Whole Chapter)

"For God SO loved the world ... "  I don't see how anyone can say that one person who bla bla bla or belongs to bla bla bla is the only ones who will make it.  If that were the case, then he would not have used the word kosmos - literally His creation -  that he would make a covenant with the world and tell us that He SO loved us.

Thanks for reading,
Jamey

Protestant Christian? Lent? Something about ashes ...

Should a Protestant Christian observe Ash Wednesday?

Being raised as a Christian, yes I know the normal answer should be, "What is a Southern Baptist?"  However, I wasn't raised as a denomination.  "But Jamey," you ask, "Don't you attend a Baptist Church?"  Yes, and I have at the same church for my whole life; give-or-take about three years at Mega-Church off of the Highway.  I still was raised to be a follower of Christ first and foremost  So, when a good friend, who happened to be Orthodox (enter name of denomination) would ask me to attend services with him/her, I would.  And I loved the services.  They were beautiful and called to remembrance the things I should focus my heart, mind, and life.

What is ash Wednesday?  Is that like 'follow Friday' on Twitter?  uh ... no.  Ash Wednesday, along with Lent, is observed by our Catholic friends, orthodox denominations, and dare I say it - a few protestant denominations.  I like to have the bottom line just like the next guy so to keep this one short ... nowhere does the Bible command us or condemns us to its practice.  Christians are at license to decide whether to observe or not to observe, prayerfully.  If you so choose to observe Ash Wednesday or even Lent, I think the most important understanding to have is a biblical one.  Repentance is, for a Christian, a good thing to be in habit when it comes to sinful activities.  Let's face it, it really is something Christians should do everyday and not just between said dates.  The activity should be ongoing and, for me, involve something more than a brief showing of giving up something that is of no real sacrifice.  Most people choose to make a huge sacrifice during Lent and give up something that ... wait for it ... calls to remembrance our relationship with God through his Son Jesus.  For the most part, I see people observing Lent because they know that God is interested in their hearts.  For some however, it is a bit assuming that God will automatically bless us simply because we observe a ritual.

Ash Wednesday is 46 days before Easter Sunday where we then have to explain why coloring eggs is important and also why a bunny rabbit is bringing us those eggs - thank you Roman Catholic Church.