DIVERSE DENOMINATIONS: SHEEP & GOATS

There are a large number of denominations existing under the banner of Christianity, each with their own distinctives that separate one part of the whole from the other.

And it's no secret that not all denominations, just like not all individuals that profess themselves to be Christian, are truly Christian in the biblical sense of the word. That leaves the existing true body of Christ standing in tact. "I know my sheep and my sheep know me". (John 10:14)

On Judgment Day, however, the particular denomination that one ascribed to in life will not even be taken into consideration. Before the throne of God, one will either stand before Him in the mirror of Christ, or one will stand before Him in the mire of sin.

Yes, we are a diverse religion differing in many ways. But here is how diverse it is going to be in heaven on that great Day of Judgment: sheep and goats.

Jesus said: "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left." (Matt 25:31-33)

Heavenbound sheep, hellbound goats. That's it!

If you are a true believer, your profession should be that of belonging to Christ before belonging to a denomination. Identifying your denomination will reveal the particular distinctives you adhere to and there is nothing wrong with that in and of itself.

But your identity, first and foremost, should be with Christ. That central point should never be put on the back burner as a no-brainer just because you are a member of a particular church that stands under the umbrella of the Christian faith.

There will not be a corner in heaven for Baptists, one for Roman Catholics, one for Jehovah Witnesses, Methodists, Lutherans, Mormons, Pentacostals, Presbyterians and all the rest that identify themselves as followers of Jesus.

Only Christians. (Think about that.)

A common question I get from people on the street whom I share the gospel with is "What church or denomination do you belong to?". To which I answer "I belong to Christ. I am a Christian." I start from there and will only elaborate on my church affiliation if its a help in the converstation. I try to keep the focus on the cross instead of the cross links.

Here, again, is open-air preacher extraordinaire, Jonathan Edwards (1714-1769) in a statement regarding this very issue:

"I profess to be a member of the Church of England; but if they will not let me preach in a church, I will preach anywhere. All the world is my parish; and I will preach wherever God gives me opportunity. You will never find me disputing about the outward appendages of religion. Don't tell me you are a Baptist, and Independent, a Presbyterian, a Dissenter: tell me you are a Christian. That is all I want. This is the religion of Heaven and must be ours upon earth."

(Tyerman, Vol 2, p. 567)

Edwards wasn't being sheepish here, but in a good way.