Thought for Today
Isaiah 9:6 For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Joel 2:23 O children of Zion, be glad and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he has given the early rain for your vindication, he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the later rain, as before.
Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God,
Last night, I attended a meeting and dinner. As is often the case, as a minister, I was asked to offer a blessing prior to the meal. The group is not exclusively Christian. Some are Christians of almost every faith tradition. But, the group is not Christian, Protestant or Catholic. The only issue of faith is that all members believe in some higher, spiritual power and commit in that name of that power to improve ourselves and to serve others.
As I prepared to offer that blessing, one of the men at my table leaned over and asked whether or not some mention of the Roman Catholic Pope might be appropriate, some petition concerning the Pope’s current health issues. This individual knew that I am not Catholic. I do not know whether or not he is Catholic. I do know that there are Jews, Catholics and Protestants in our group. As I pondered his request, and again this morning, the first issue I confronted and still confront is, “what does it mean to be a child of God?” What does it mean; and, who gets to make the determination?
I did mention the Pope in my blessing. Following the dinner, several people did approach me to thank me for being open to accepting faith traditions other than my own. To ensure there is no doubt, I am a staunch Calvinist. I may not be a 7-point Calvinist or even a 5-point Calvinist, but I am a Calvinist. Every congregation I have served has been part of the Reformed Tradition. I was raised in 1 denomination within that tradition, married into a different denomination and raised my family and was ordained in that second denomination.
My question still remains, “what does it mean to be a child of God?” What does it mean; and, who gets to make the determination? Some Christians believe that only members of their denomination are true Christians and only those members will receive eternal salvation. Most Christians of the Reformed Tradition are more comfortable leaving that determination up to God.
I have friends who are Jewish. I have friends who are members of almost every Protestant denomination. I also have friends who don’t even identify as Christians. Although I try to defer any questions on their salvific status to God, I am only human. I do wonder about those friends. When I do, I remember those words of God above. I remember “Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-“ I find the operative word in Paul’s statement to be ‘gift.’ I remind myself, ‘who am I to tell the Creator of all Creation to whom God may or may not offer God’s gift?’
One of the requirements for ordination in my denomination is training in CPE, Clinical Pastoral Education. As part of my training, and for some period following the required training, I was a volunteer chaplains’ assistant in one of Houston’s hospitals. During that time, I came to know folks of almost every faith, Christian, Jewish or otherwise. I became friends with the Catholic chaplain. To this day I stand in awe of those wonderful, caring Christians. During that same time, I became part of a prison ministry. Again, I served with people of many different and diverse denominations. I also stand in awe of those children of God.
I do not believe our inclusion in the family of God, our status as children of God, is an issue of denomination or faith tradition. I do not agree with all of the dogma and doctrine of Catholicism. But, I do know many Catholics, Jews and others whom I am blessed to consider my brothers and sisters in the family of the children of God.
For me, Jesus answered the question, Matthew 5:9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. John 1:12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God.” All are offered the power. All we have to do is accept God’s gift.
Stay safe, accept God’s gift , trust God,
Pastor Ray