My eyes have been opened over the past few months as I have endeavored to promote my book.  I had always known in theory as to how big the church is, but I had never really understood it well enough to grasp it, until now.   The church is everywhere and nowhere does it fit altogether into an easily identifiable form.  The church is different in its many parts and no one has it cornered.  There are so many different ways people come together to worship God.  The variety is overwhelming and worldwide.

Every church body is unique in the way they worship and serve in their community.  Sometimes the differences are significant enough to divide the body and keep fellowship from happening with each other.  Each church body believes sincerely that they understand the Scriptures better than others do.  Each body exists because of the different ways we think about things.  Much of our differences are rooted in what we have been raised to believe.  Seldom do we critically analyze what we believe and why.

However, one thing I have noticed in a refreshing way is that regardless of our differences, most of us rally at the foot of the cross.  We may say things differently and do things differently, but we know that Jesus is the reason for our existence and he is our hope for life.  We agree on the need we have for salvation and our need for the Lord's help in our walk with him.  We all are striving to do the same thing, to live lives that are honorable and pleasing to Him.

We need to appreciate the fact that in spite of our differences, we are all children of God if we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  We can, no we must, learn how to have fellowship with each other and work together for the glory of Christ.  We must learn the value of not making our differences a dividing issue amongst us that keeps us living with each other and enjoying the blessings of our mutual faith.  There is but one true church, and that is all those who are living in Christ.