Unity in the Spirit

I don't know about other people out there, but I grew up in a conservative Southern Baptist Church, and while it was not as bad as other churches, I've experienced my fair share of "Church" arguments.  Everything from the clothes people wear to church to what night (or day) the church business meeting should be on.  For those who didn't grow up in church, I'm sure you've either heard or said something to the effect of, "I thought those Christians were about love.  If that is what love is then I don't want it."  I have heard and been involved in these scenar1os my entire life, but now, I would like to set it straight.

Ephesians 4:1-6: I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, entreat you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness with patience, showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

After reading this, I began to think.  We as Christians sometimes (most-times) get into petty arguments because of two major reasons:

1. They don't understand what they believe completely.

2. They aren't Christian.

I honestly believe that the main reason we get into these arguments is the first reason.  No offense to the church, but we have been really good at developing surface Christians and stopping there.  I challenge Christians who read this to not get mad but to look at where they are in their walk and to dive deeper.  Also, I am not saying that all arguments are bad.  For example: we should know where we stand on many issues and should not waver, issues like the deity, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, and many others.  

This scripture is very clear that we should all walk in the way we are called.  If we walk in this manner, while we might have different ways of doing things or ideas, we should still be working toward the same goal- Glorification of Christ.

The second reason church people get into these arguments is because they are not Christian.  It does not matter if you have grown up in church your entire life or have Christian parents.  The only way to be saved is, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9.  This is the only way to salvation.

In closing, I would like to encourage you to know what you believe.  I'm sorry this blog was so long, but I felt like this need to be said.