A House Divided: Demarcation Lines in Christendom

After posting a picture of Lil’ Wayne, Soulja Boy, and Kat von Dee on my Facebook page and posing a question regarding Christians and tattoos, it’s amazing the responses received. One picture brought out the opinions of ALL the saints. However, such commentary on the photo revealed the startling reality of the condition of the body of Christ today. We are divided. Hence, there exists Christians who believe in the complete polar opposite of other believers. This should not be if we all profess the same Jesus Christ as Savior. Now don’t get wrong, I do understand that we all must “work out our own salvation” (Phil. 2:12), but there are deep demarcation lines that run through Christendom. Why? How?

When studying the Bible, BC and AD Christians were the most powerful when they were on one accord. Think Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:5-8), Wall of Jericho (See Joshua), Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). These moments were monumental in Christian history; however, they were only impactful because the Christians agreed with one another. The Bible also says, how can two travel together unless they go in the same direction and agree (see Amos 3:3)? This notion is “common sense” simple, but the practice of this verse of scripture is not as “commonplace” today.

Today I find Christians more concerned with asserting themselves, their denominations, or carnality over the pure and unadulterated love and mandates of God. Accordingly, there has been huge compromise that has taken place over the centuries, and this generation is no exception. Actually, I view more blatant compromise in the Christian community, today, than in any other time historically. So then my question for the body remains the same, why?

Why are Christians compromising core “Jesus” values and decrees for the sake of fashion, fortune, fame, and other sensual desires? Why is there a growing need for Christians to be “in” and “cool”, and go unnoticed as anything different from current societal norms? I believe that as Christians we must daily check ourselves with the Holy Ghost’s promptings because we currently look too much like the world! Peculiar people who are “truly” apart of God’s royal priesthood are hard to come by these days. And not because these “compromising Christians” are bad people, or they despise God; no, they have simply conformed to worldly standards because physical reality rings more REAL than spirituality. Thus, many resemble worldly ambassadors rather than Christ’s ambassadors, because the unseen is rather difficult to identify with without proper discipline.

If we are to truly live out the words of the Bible we must make up in our minds that compromise is not an option. What God placed in the Bible—both Old and New Testament—was meant to be used as our perfect guideline. So, to use the Bible in bits and pieces, to justify carnal actions, or as a "feel good" mechanism is not what God intended. And until Christians read the Bible as our only life source, we will continue to be divided on every issue and look shockingly more and more like the heathen.

So, my final question to Christians today is borrowed from the late Original King of Comedy, Bernie Mac: “Who you wit’!” You must answer this honestly because God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit already know the true answer to this inquiry.

Think about it and pick a team for good.

Nikki D

All Chiefs, No Indians: Creating a Power Team

Have you ever felt (or currently feel) that in your circle of friends or associates that you are always the one doing the feeding? Are you constantly giving your advice, your vision, your words of encouragement without reciprocation? Well, I’ve come to say that it’s time to stop the madness! When referencing the great visionaries in the Bible I noticed a pattern that surrounded their success. In order for the God given vision to be made manifest in the earthly realm, these men and women surrounded themselves with people who were willing to serve. Now before you think that this is some head trip understand that when God has packaged and delivered a vision to you it’s because that you are His servant. You have served, sacrificed and obeyed, and now He finds you worthy of carrying a vision. However, the vision will never be physically witnessed by the holder if he or she never has anyone around who is willing to help.

Saints of God it’s time to admit that we need help! Yes, God is the Source of every good thing but, He has put us here on earth together for a very specific reason. We are all a part of the Christian family, first because we believe in the Son and His salvation of our soul, and secondly so that we can help one another. Too many believers carry around a magnificent vision, but will never see it birthed into reality because the people that they share it with are jealous, unbelieving, unfaithful (or a combination of them all); leading to sabotage and miscarriage. We must surround ourselves with a Power Team in order for encapsulated visions to be showcased physically to the world. Christians must work together, and be willing to serve one another. Look at Jesus and His ministry on earth. He understood that the Christian faith would have had no longevity if He had no messengers to carry the Gospel. So what did He do; He went out and recruited some disciples!

Jesus created His very own Power Team that would minister the Gospel in the first leg of the race and then pass the baton on to those who would follow. And two-thousand years later Christianity is still thriving because of this methodology. With that said check your space people (refer back Get Out...) and really evaluate who you have around you. Your mission should be to create a Power Team of believers who will help in birthing the vision that God has given to you. However, not everyone will make the cut to be on this team; and that goes for brothers, sisters, bff’s, parents, Facebook friends and anyone else not willing to put aside ego in order to help in the birthing process. Because what members of a Power Team understand is that although they play a secondary role in the birthing of your vision, the perks and experience gained from their service will aide them in successfully accomplishing their visionary goals in the appointed hour.

So stop hating and help people of God. Understand that until you follow you will never lead. Get your minds right because the residuals of being a part of a Power Team are immeasurable! Let’s remove self and serve.

Peace good people!

Nikki D

Power Team Verse

“Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.” Habakkuk 2:2 NIV