I grew up in the midst of many Christian denominations. Mainly Lutheran and Catholic and eventually Evangelical. I've had countless and exhausting discussions about theology and theory, about wrong and right, about doctrine. I've read many books by many Christian authors, I've been taught by Christian teachers. I've been to so many churches I can't even count them with both my hands and my toes. Gosh, I even went to Bible school for a year. Everybody has an opinion.
What has all this really done to Christianity? In my opinion, it makes us all look a little ridiculous. I feel like I'm part of a sport (take your pick; baseball, soccer, football) where we all have a team and we all cheer for ourselves and chant jeers against the others. How silly. And how wrong: Mark 7:6-7 But it isn't really about us, is it? Its about God: Psalm 146: 5-9/ 1 Chronicles 29:11-14
There are some skewed views of what Jesus taught. And I truly believe that one day those who twist and turn what He meant for us will answer to God. But they will not answer to us. So what do we do? Do we close our mouths and let the havoc reign over us? Heck no! But I'm positive we're not going to gain anything by discussing the matter or writing books and having debates about it.
The question is what are we called to do?
Luke 4:18-19
Zechariah 7:9-10
Isaiah 58
We're called to honor Him. To do as He did. To love as He did. To follow Him. Its not complicated, but its not easy.
So I refuse to take a part in this cheering and jeering. I'm just going to follow Him.
We are also called to stand up for our God against false prophets, those who are leading so many down a path that will not bring them into a closer relationship and understanding with their savior. Many people forget that God has a different standard for those teaching others about Him. It is not our job to "judge" but it is our job to discern and try to protect those being lead not in truth but opinion. I believe God desires us to stand up for Him in His truth.
ReplyDeleteI agree that we should not be causing division within the body of Christ but we should stand up against inherently wrong theology and doctrine. If someone is worried about the kind of music or the style of service then, well, that's just a waste of time. Bigger issues of absolute truth are another.
We need to all take the example of Jesus, loving beyond understanding but also fair and just. Even Jesus got angry when people were disgracing the temple and The Father. Our life should be spent getting to know our savior better, every part of who he was!
Our concerns should always come from love not from a need to be right :-)