[OBW]

Evangelical,

So you think that whether or not denominations are the best way to do things, or even wrong, and since there is a serious question as to whether the LCM is nothing less than another denomination, would you agree that refusing to at least try to be one with all these others would be your problem (or my problem to the extent that I am the one looking for bases to cut off fellowship) rather than simply theirs?

I honestly believe that the group I am with gets more of the doctrines and teachings of any importance right than any other, yet I find no reason to blacklist the others or declare them off-limits to my participation with them in the mission of the church. But if your group claims to be the best in the "unity" department, why is it that you are unwilling to participate with the others? Seems more like you are only in unity with yourselves. No real stomach to be one with others.

So throw out the issues. Like . . . .

They teach things that shouldn't be taught — so you refuse Smyrna

They tolerate a "prophet" that teaches sexual immorality — so you refuse Thyatira

They appear dead and are unfinished in their deeds — so you refuse Sardis

They seem to know-it-all but also seem luke-warm — so you refuse Laodicea.

Oddly, the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the one holding the seven spirits of God, the one with eyes of fire and feet of bronze, and the one with the sharp, two-edged sword did not refuse them. He called them to correct their ways. But he asked none to leave and go elsewhere. He did not declare them not in the church (or not church).

Gripe all you want about ecumenism. At least they are trying. You are not. You have taken white-out and blotted them out of the book of the church. Something that the Bible itself did not do.

They are not the ones with no unity. It is you and the LCM. They may not outwardly have as much as you or even I would like. But at least they are trying.

You are not.