Too often in the body of Christ our focus shifts from building each other up to tearing each other down over practices that may differ but do not determine salvation. One such issue is the long-standing debate over praying to saints. While Protestants generally reject this practice and Catholics affirm it, there is a deeper truth we cannot ignore: God hears the prayers of the sincere.
Scripture reminds us in Psalm 145:18, “The LORD is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.” That nearness isn’t reserved for perfect theology, but for a sincere heart that seeks the living God.
Protestants may rightly emphasize that Christ is the sole Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), but we must be careful not to dismiss those in other traditions who truly love the Lord and follow Christ. Catholics are not trying to replace Jesus. They believe He is God incarnate and the only way to the Father. Prayers to saints are seen as asking for intercession, not worship.
Even the disciples once struggled with the idea that someone outside their circle could do God’s work. In Luke 9:49–50, John said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” But Jesus corrected him: “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”
That same principle applies today. Just because someone worships differently doesn’t mean they are working against Christ. If they are calling on His name and standing on the truth of the Gospel, we are on the same side.
Unfortunately, many of God's children are spending time debating matters that will neither keep someone out of Heaven nor send them to Hell. In doing so, we lose focus on the real battle, i.e., the spiritual war raging against our souls. Instead of arguing over “flawed doctrine,” we should be edifying one another, helping fellow believers stand strong against the fiery darts of the enemy.
What unites us as Christians is far greater than what divides us: the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. If we can hold fast to that truth, we will be less likely to treat one another as enemies simply because we differ on secondary issues.
As we pursue sound doctrine—and we should—we must also extend grace and humility, remembering that God is sovereign and responds to those who earnestly seek Him. Let us not major in the minors or weaponize our differences, but instead walk in love, teach with truth, and live out unity in Christ.
Peace & Blessings.
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