second-degree separation. If he does not choose, he will still be labeled and judged by some for being indecisive! There is a danger In lumping and categorizing Christians just as there is a danger in overly generalizing in all of life. If we lack the desire or ability to accurately discriminate between important shades of mean ing, we may lump all Baptists together and call them Fundamentalists, or label people on whether or not they support a given person, school or mission organization. Then we begin reacting to all the people In that classification in the same way. Categorizing is a useful tool for man, but it must be recognized for what it is: a devise that enables the user to generalize and order his world and thus compensate for his inability to relate satisfactorily to the complexities of life. It is refreshing to know that God does not generalize and lump indi viduals into categories so He can understand and relate to His people. Matthew 10:20 & 30 teaches that God is concerned about us in a very personal way. As a group or category, the Church is the Bride of Christ. However, we are known, loved, and appreciated as individuals. I Corinthians 3:12-15 reveals that we will be judged of God not for what our parents, the church, or our organization does; but for what we do in our own particular life or service for our Lord. This is both comfort ing and sobering. Page 5
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