Two Men On A Bridge

1 Timothy 1:4  Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.

I think a story by the comedian Emo Philips best describes today’s verse.

"Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, "Don't do it!" He said, "Nobody loves me." I said, "God loves you. Do you believe in God?"

He said, "Yes." I said, "Are you a Christian or a Jew?" He said, "A Christian." I said, "Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?" He said, "Protestant."

I said, "Me, too! What franchise?" He said, "Baptist."

I said, "Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?" He said, "Northern Baptist."

I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist."

I said, "Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region." I said, "Me, too!"

Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?" He said, "Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912."

I said, "Die, heretic!" And I pushed him over."

As funny as that story is, it sums up a lot of “Christian discourse.” We are so busy fighting amongst ourselves about what denomination is best, or what version of the Bible is holiest, or whether we dunk or sprinkle to baptize, that we lose sight of the fact that Jesus died for all of us.

We need to quit squabbling amongst ourselves. There is a lost and dying world out there who doesn’t give two figs about your denominational stand, but they do care deeply whether or not your beliefs lead them to Jesus.

Today’s Readings:  2 Kings 1-3; Psalm 82; 1 Timothy 1

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