You may have heard the quote, "In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, and in all things charity." Many are cloistered in small cliques and forget the importance of this statement. It is easy to forget that when gathered in larger groups or when posting something on social media your statements about a whole host of issues may be erecting barriers rather than building bridges to Christ. We should not live our lives haphazardly. We must carefully consider what comes out of our mouths and what we choose to post on social media.

In Romans 14, Paul hits this issue head on. We read in Romans 14:19-20 "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense." We need to pursue the positive things God wants to do in our lives, rather than the negative disagreements we have. The body of Christ is splintered because of those who insist on emphasizing the differences that divide us rather than the qualities that unite us. We shouldn't tear each other down. We need to find ways to build each other up. The kingdom of God isn't about fighting and arguing. It is about righteousness, peace, joy, and our mutual love for God."

That being said, there are core essentials of the Christian faith which we cannot waver on. Those who adhere to an all roads lead to God, which is more of a New Age philosophy are speaking apart from what Jesus, Himself, said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." The reality is we cannot know what is an essential or a non-essential unless we become active students of His Word. Once you allow this to be your guide, and you empty the pride which so easily impairs our vision, your arms will open wide as you embrace a much wider group. We are not asked, but commanded by Jesus in the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, to reach out to the unsaved world and make disciples.