One Night ...

Martin Luther nails his theses to the door of the church

READ: Romans 15:1-6

Today marks the 500th anniversary of the greatest division of the body of Christ in history. With his Ninety-five Theses Martin Luther rebuked Catholicism, and Protestantism was born. What was intended to bring reform, brought division. What was intended to return us to the truth of scripture led us to an abandonment of its very essence.

What is the greatest commandment?

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. (Matthew 22:36-40; Mark 12:28-34; Luke 10:25-37)

“But I stand upon the truth! Do you not see how wrong my neighbor is?”

1 Corinthians 13:2 says, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”

500 years of animosity put to rest

Yes, truth is important. Love is more important.

I saw that love on display at One Night, Columbus’s annual citywide worship service, when a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister took the stage, humbled themselves before the Lord, and confessed the sins of their respective denominations to one another. Then they forgave each other on behalf of their churches and embraced to resounding cheers. It was a beautiful display of Christian unity.

“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

***Learn more about One Night 2018 at www.onenightcolumbus.com