100 Years

This past Sunday the Church of the Nazarene celebrated the 100th Anniversary of its founding. While I know there are many who oppose denominations and separation, I was excited to participate. I do believe that there are things about denominations that have been detrimental, but that is not what I want to discuss here. I want to express here why I am a Nazarene and why I am excited that the Church of the Nazarene exists.

The thing that makes the Nazarene's different from most other churches is their teaching of holiness and sanctification. I grew up in a different theological tradition and I always struggled with the idea of holiness and sin. On the one hand I was taught that I should be holy because God was holy. Then on the other hand I was taught that I would sin everyday. I was taught that I was covered by the blood, and so when God saw me he saw the blood, not my sin. The idea of being changed and a new person, was taught but if I sinned how could I be considered a new person. All of these questions battled within me. Now the Nazarene's teach that you can be a new creation in Christ and that you don't have to live with sin in your life. The Holy Spirit can give you the power to overcome sin and not have to sin.

When I found the Church of the Nazarene, it was like a light bulb went off in my head. All of my questions were answered, and it all made sense. I am excited that the Church of the Nazarene exist and I pray that God will continue to bless it and help it grow to give this hope to others.