God knows no distinctions

i've been thinking about God. yes, that's right, i've been thinking about God. but what's more is that i've been thinking about the different ways that people worship God. different denominations. methodist. baptist. lutheran. presbyterian. pentecostal. then non-denominational, evangelical, etc.

i have two thoughts about these. my initial thought goes back to a famous roger nishioka idea that "our God is a baskin robbins God." he created many different "flavors" of christians. without our different styles of worship and praise, he would be a very bored God.

but then there's my second thought- it's more like a question, though. why must there be such a division among christians? why should one person care if another person is of a different denomination? why should a christian care or be bothered if another christian chooses to worship in a very corporate, disciplined manner, citing the apostle's creed and singing from a traditional hymnbook? just b/c that christian chooses to worship w/ his or her hands raised high above his/her head, jumping up and down, shouting praises to God? isn't the point to just have a relationship w/ Jesus Christ? and wouldn't i be correct in saying that both of these people have the relationship? then why would that be a division among them? i don't think i understand.

thomas jefferson once quoted a preacher who exclaimed aloud to his congregation that he didnt believe there were any presbyterians, quakers, or methodists (etc). after pausing and letting his congregation sort of look around in wonder, he went on to say that, in Heaven, God knows no distinctions.

if only there were no distinctions here, and we could all be allowed to just worship... it doesn't matter how... just as long as it happens, and there werent such horrible distinctions and judgments made. i've made these distinctions and judgments before. but i realize that i cannot do that. it's not right. it's not godly. if God knows no distinctions, then i want to know no distinctions (even though some who are reading this might comment on my die-hard presbyterian-ness). i'm not a presbyterian. i am a christian. a child of God. please treat me as such, and i will do the same for you. no matter how you worship. b/c that just doesn't matter to me... as long as your heart is where it should be (w/ God).

i just wanted to share that "thought." that's all.