Recently I have been analyzing what I believe and why I believe it. For most new Christians they will rely on what their pastors or other Christians tell them. This is not necessarily a bad thing unless these people are sharing their own convictions. As we grow and study Scripture more we soon find out why people have told us these things. But sometimes you come across issues that aren't specifically spoken of in the Bible. I'll name some pretty hot topics that Christians now debate and some even will separate over: (no particular order)
1. Homeschooling
2. drinking alcohol
3. going to movies
4. natural childbirth
5. Bible translations
6. women wearing pants
7. anyone wearing shorts
8. color of the church carpet
This is just the list of ones I can think of off the top of my head. The question is, which rules on these issues are our personal convictions and which ones are revealed to us in Scripture.
I myself have found my own answers to all these. But I won't share them here. I'd rather not have a debate on my blog. But if you'd like to know more about how I feel, you can ask me anytime. I'd be happy to tell you how I feel. But here's something that I won't do. I won't attack you for not agreeing with me. I won't stop talking to you and I won't question your salvation because you feel a different way.
Here's what I will do: encourage you to study more, show you where and how I came to that belief, and if I feel so strongly about a certain issue and I feel that you are wrong... (did you hear the drum roll?) I'll put you on my prayer list and leave it up to God to work on in your own heart and continue showing you charity. I can not change a man's heart only God can do that.
I think we need to be cautious in our lawmaking. We do want to make rules to help protect us from our sin or temptations to sin, but we do not want to become legalistic or Pharisaical in our rules. I think that Satan is excited when we take such strong stands. He knows he can use our pride against us so that we will be busy attacking and sometimes hating our brethren that we lose focus on what is really important which is Glorify our most Holy God.
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." 2 Tim 2:15
1 comment:
Ahem. So, Mr. Miller, just what IS your problem with natural childbirth, hm??? Heehee. Just kiddin'. You know I couldn't pass that one up!
One more for the list would be that wicked music!
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