It's not about an opinion but about integrity!

In life, we sometimes have opinions about things that matter, other issues are not that important. There are some matters that demand not just an opinion, but a decision, and the decision that is made, will reveal the integrity that we hold. In many of our churches today we have a large number of opinions popping up, some over music, some over style, others are still trying to decide what color the carpet should be in the sanctuary. It has been my observation that too many times we decide to take issue over difference of opinion when dealing with small things and substitute opinion, sometimes mistaking it for conviction over issues that should be forefront. For example, I recently had the opportunity to be a part of an event in which I led worship for a diverse congregation of several denominations. The speaker that night was of a different denomination than I, and that is something that I think should be celebrated as unity in diversity. However, when the speaker began to share something that he stated was "what the bible says", I was prompted to find the scripture that he was referencing. The so called scripture did not exist, nor does the bible give reference to this so called "scriptural truth" that the speaker was adament about. The speaker continued on by giving the congregation a perscibed ritual of how to obtain this scriptural truth. Now, please do not think that I want all christians and people I worship with to be Baptist, or to worship in the same manor as I, but actual scripture should be used, not just opinions. Some denominations intepret different scriptures in different ways, and that is understandable, but that was not the case in this instance. By standing on the same platform as this speaker, I felt as though my integrity was in question, that others felt I went along with him. When somebody declares "Thus says the Lord", the Word of God should back him up, and the Spirit of God should confirm it in your heart. If scripture does not support the teaching, then my friend, the speaker has no integrity, authority or place to preach, and should be labeled a false prophet. In love, Gods people from Pentecostal to Presbyterian, from Baptist to Apostolic, should preach the Gospel loudly, without reserve and to the world without personal agenda or doctrine. Praise God for diversity, and for giving me friends of other denominations who preach the truth, and love people enough to have a kingdom mindset! It's not about spiritual gifts and if you believe in them enough. It's not about how much of the bible you know. It's not about taking comunion every weeks or once a quarter, but it is about Jesus and by always preaching Jesus, our integrity will speak much more loudly than our opinion.