I can see it's going to be a challenge to try to keep track of all the kings from both Judah and Israel. It is a sad thing that they have divided as it has brought about way too much division and war.
In recent history of the Lutheran Church, many members and congregations have left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and joined other denominations. Many did this because of what some would call their bound conscience. Some say they are bound to the Word of God and to the sharing of the Word with others. That, they felt was no longer happening in their former denomination. It was felt, by some, that there were way too much politics going on - that the tenet of separation of church and state was being eroded and not just by the state, but by the church as well and that this was restricting time and opportunities for evangelism. Regardless of reasons, in many cases, there has been somewhat of a war going on. Those who left are persecuted in some corners of the country by some of those who have stayed. And... some of those who have stayed are persecuted by some of those who left.
It ought not be. The tribes of Israel are divided and some shall disappear into nothingness. What shall become of you if you continue to persecute and war with your fellow Christian? What shall become of the church if we spend our time engaging in battle with each other rather than battling the spiritual forces in dark places? How will the church grow if we give up on sharing the Good News and Worshipping God, hearing His Word, receiving His Sacraments?
Jesus did not come for political power either in the world or in the church on earth. He came that all people might be saved through faith.
In recent history of the Lutheran Church, many members and congregations have left the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and joined other denominations. Many did this because of what some would call their bound conscience. Some say they are bound to the Word of God and to the sharing of the Word with others. That, they felt was no longer happening in their former denomination. It was felt, by some, that there were way too much politics going on - that the tenet of separation of church and state was being eroded and not just by the state, but by the church as well and that this was restricting time and opportunities for evangelism. Regardless of reasons, in many cases, there has been somewhat of a war going on. Those who left are persecuted in some corners of the country by some of those who have stayed. And... some of those who have stayed are persecuted by some of those who left.
It ought not be. The tribes of Israel are divided and some shall disappear into nothingness. What shall become of you if you continue to persecute and war with your fellow Christian? What shall become of the church if we spend our time engaging in battle with each other rather than battling the spiritual forces in dark places? How will the church grow if we give up on sharing the Good News and Worshipping God, hearing His Word, receiving His Sacraments?
Jesus did not come for political power either in the world or in the church on earth. He came that all people might be saved through faith.
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