John 17: 20-23  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;  that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

 

After Jesus prayed for Himself and His Disciples, He prayed for all believers; the Body of Christ. The above Passage of Scripture is the first part of this prayer. His prayer is for unity in the Church. Knowing they will have slight differences in their beliefs, Jesus also knew they could come together on the Common Ground of the Gospel which He would soon bring to fulfillment through the Sacrifice of His Perfect Life on the Cross.  

 

It is God’s Will for the Church to be united not divided over differences put in place by denominations and doctrines of man. Our Founding Fathers knew and understood this as well and it is on this unifying belief our country took shape. 

 

Whatever Christian denomination Americans choose to affiliate with, the Gospel of Christ is at the core of its beliefs. This is the Common Ground of the Gospel of Christ upon which EVERY believer places their faith. 

 

George Washington made this statement in his Farewell Address, “The name of American, which belongs to you, in your national capacity, must always exalt the just pride of Patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations. With slight shades of difference, you have the same religion, manners, habits and political principles.”

 

“Slight shades of difference” speak to the many Christian denominations represented by Americans in our early history. However, they were all CHRISTIAN denominations and did not include non-Christian cults and religions such as Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Satanism, or other false religions. If the Gospel of Christ and the True Word of God were not the foundation upon which the belief was founded, it was not included in his description of “slight shades of difference.”

 

Since America, including our government and way of life, was founded on the Principles of the Holy Scriptures, a false ideology like Islam and other cults is not and never can be, compatible with the American way of life, laws, and principles. 

 

Islam and all cults are far more than just a religion. These cults are ideologies; a belief structure and a complete way of life with their own constitution and law book. NOT ONE SINGLE WORD of cultic teaching is based on the Holy Scriptures of God’s Word. 

 

America was totally founded on and has always stood on, the Common Ground of the Gospel of Christ. This is the Foundation upon which our Founding Fathers stood strong.  Christians have "slight shades of difference," but we MUST unite together on the Common Ground of the Gospel and live and govern by the Word of God. This was the intent of our Founding Fathers and it should be ours as well.

 

The Common Ground of the Gospel of Christ will……..turn the tide

 

On the Common Ground in unity with you!      Doreen

 

www.bettsministries.org