There is so much division in the church today, it is so sad. Everyone thinks their church is better than others. We quarrel, tear down churches who don't agree with their doctrine. We immediately snob those whose beliefs are different from ours. What saddens me the most, is that a lot of these differences are things God most likely won't judge us on.
I encountered some Seventh Day Adventists on campus early last year and we got talking about the Sabbath. The Seventh Day Adventists believe Saturday is the Sabbath. As such, they have their worship service on Saturdays. One of them asked me what day I my church holds it's main service and I told her Sundays. They proceeded to tell me about how God commands us to rest on the Sabbath and by choosing to worship on Sundays, I am disobeying the commandment since Sabbath is on Saturday. One of them said I would have to stand before God concerning that. They believed God would condemn me. Rather than argue with them, I let them knowApostle Paul, in Romans 14:5 says whichever day you choose to be Sabbath is acceptable.
I know there are some denominations/churches/people who are against women wearing pants, make up, hair extensions, jewelry, nail polish, etc. Do I wear these things, YES! Do I think there is anything wrong? NO! My conscience is clear concerning these things. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion. I was once under the ministration of a Pastor who once said, as a man or woman, if you wear jewelry, you will go to hell. I immediately rejected that. That is where I have to disagree. It's one thing to say this is my opinion about this but saying they would go to hell is unbiblical.
A few months ago, encountered a group of reformed evangelicals and we got talking about the issue of speaking in tongues. They thought it was meant for specific people and specific times. I politely disagreed with reference to the scripture. Oh gosh! They looked at me like they wanted to yell in my face "BLOODY SACRILEGE" No seriously, I felt they were a bit belligerent. They must have been thinking 'Get away from us you heathen'.They made it seem like because I had a different opinion about that, I was less of a Christian. If i wasn't sure about my identity in Christ, I would have felt bad about myself. Now, I am not saying all Reformed people are this way. No not at all. I think it's just people from that specific church. I kid.
While ALL Christians probably never agree on everything, we should make allowance for differences in opinion. Let's love one another and encourage one another. Let's focus on the important things and stop quarrelling about the flimsy things.Let's not, in the words of Jesus, ‘strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.’ (Matt 23:24) Say 'NO' to Legalism and let us live in unity :)
Jesus also prays and pushes for unity among christians. Before his arrest, he prayed this for us “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. (John 17:20-21)
While I am all for unity in the body of Christ, I am not saying any church is fine. NO! If your church's doctrines are unbiblical, please leave. I f your church teaches that Jesus is not the son of God, or that Jesus wasn't born of a virgin, or that you need to go through anyone dead or alive, in order to connect to God, or anything funky like that, Honey, you had better switch churches ASAP! If you are not sure about your church's doctrine, see if it lines up with the word of GOD!
DISCLAIMER : I know I have talked about specific churches/denominations but I 'd like to say I am not in any way against them. I know an awesome brother who is Seventh Day Adventist and he is one of my favourite worship leaders! Shout out to O'Neil! Hehe. Also, one of my very best friends is reformed. He is the most Christ-like person I know. Hey Andrew :) So, I am not in any way bashing any church/denomination. Far from it. All I am saying is, we are one body in Christ. A house divided against itself cannot stand.
I understand that this issue is controversial, so feel free to let me know what you thing, whether you agree or disagree, in the comment section below :)
I know! Its sad but thats one of the things ive heard Muslims use against us. They all read 1 Quran n hv 1 Allah n believe same doctrine n mock us that believe in Jesus but beat up each others beliefs. I am a Christian n if u believe wearing pants will make u miss heaven pls don't wear it n il luv u all d same bt dont condemn me cos it wont deter me from making heaven. I'll wear it n giv u a big hug while im at it! Let d bible be our mirror n guide nt rules passed down by ancestors of church founders.
ReplyDeleteHey Zee! Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteExactly! No need to impose your beliefs on others or condemn them because they decide to do things differently. Amen to the last sentence! The Bible should be our guide. However if a church is against wearing pants and I decide to go there, I must adhere to that and not wear pants to their service. That's just rebellious.
Thank you so much for you feedback Zee <3
lovely post Seyi . oh Zee, only illiterate people would accept that all doctrines of islam are the same .... simply not true
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting. I don't think it's an issue of literacy. I believed that for the longest time and to be honest, it probably is mostly true for the part of the world we come from (I am assuming we come from the same part of the world because you spelt my middle name right..lol). It wasn't until I came to Canada and became exposed to different religions and religious beliefs, that I realized it isn't so.
DeleteThis is where i dont understand people. You can make your point clear without being offensive or bringing illiteracy into it. If you anything about literacy im pretty sure ul know better how to criticize constructively. Thank you mr/ms anonymous know it all for your wise words...if only you calmed down n understood what I meant...calm down Jesus loves you!
ReplyDeleteHey Zee!
DeleteI don't think the person meant to offend you, I think he/she might have been referring those who use the fact that we have different denominations and doctrines as their basis for discrediting Christianity. I honestly think it was an innocuous comment. At least, I hope so.
I am sorry you felt offended <3
The question should always be- "what does the scripture say about these things?". Elijah encountered the prophet of Baal on mount Carmel and gave a defining statement on how our choices determine whose we belong, Elijah said; "How long are you going to be paralyzed by indecision? If the LORD is the true God, then follow him, but if Baal is, follow him!" Thus Elijah revealed there are only two choices- our choice and Gods choice. So when we encounter issues pertaining to life- we must understand- it is either what God says and what men wants. Do this or dont do that is not the kind of life we are called to live- IT IS A LIFE OF OBEDIENCE TO ONLY WHAT GOD SAYS AND SEPARATION FROM ONLY WHAT CLEARLY SAYS WE SHOULD BE SEPARATED FROM. So the reasons for many denominations is because, we assume God can be saying many things on a single matter- NO GODS VERDICT IS ONE AND WE NEED TO FIND IT AND OBEY IT ONLY. So whatever opinions we have that divide us into denominations and units are all our makings.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge is to find only what God says and believe it, let the whole world shout al they want and cry with religious tears streaming down their faces- IT IS NOTHING. Only what Gods word calls a sin is a sin- the rest is just legalism.