Lately, I have seen so many things that have really bothered my heart. I'm not talking about murders or child abuse, although those things disturb me greatly. I'm not talking about lost people dying without Christ, although that is the saddest thing of all. I mean, that is exactly why I am living in a 3rd world country - to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. But I'm not talking about those things. I am talking about legalism at its best. Christians today are so stinkin' legalistic, and it just makes me sad. Now I know that I'm gonna make some of you mad, and that's okay. I'm not worried about it. What I am worried about is how we as the church are turning people away by our legalism. I'm not talking about theological issues, either. I believe that homosexuality is wrong - that's a theological issue that people have problems with. But that's not what I'm referring to. I'm referring to the age-old issue of music, for instance. This is NOT a theological issue. This is a personality issue. I prefer a certain kind of music, my parents another, friends another. But for the sake of Christ, we need to put those differences aside and just learn to worship the Creator. True, from the heart worship. As long as the music is honoring to Christ, then why should it matter if it's Southern Gospel, Christian Rap, Praise & Worship, etc? I get so tired of hearing people talk about how "this" music is "bad" because it isn't the type they prefer. I told Aaron the other day that I hope when I am old that I will remember that the music that I love today will be "old," and there will be "new" stuff in its place. I don't want to complain about the music that will take the place of the music I worship to today (as long as it is inspired and honors God). So many people are complaining about the "new" music we have today; have they ever stopped to think that the hymns (or other music) they love so much was once "new," too? I don't believe that one can worship to ACDC, for example, but Christian music comes in all different genres today. Let's worship from the heart, whether it's rap, gospel, P&W, etc. and not be so legalistic about what we think is "right" and "wrong."
Okay, so another issue that has been in my radar lately is dress. Mainly, the way we dress when we go to church. "You have to wear your Sunday best." What does that look like for you? Where I live, "Sunday best" might be a dirty pair of jeans and a t-shirt. Does that mean that the person wearing them is gonna be shunned by God? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I get so tired of hearing that you have to wear a "suit & tie" or "ankle length dress" in order to have on your "Sunday best." While I certainly don't think that a person should show up to church in a swimsuit, I don't think there's a thing in the world wrong with wearing jeans to church. I mean, seriously, where in the Bible does it say that we have to wear a suit? It's all about the heart. Is your heart prepared to worship? Is your heart prepared to hear the Word? If you are wearing jeans because you are thinking, "well, I'm tired of somebody telling me what to wear" then you are probably not in the right heart attitude. If you think, "I'm gonna wear these jeans today. I am so ready to worship the Lord and fellowship with His people" then I think your heart is in the right place. Why does it have to be that we "dress up" on Sundays? Shouldn't we give our best to the Lord everyday?
Next, (as I continue on this soap box!) is church buildings. I've heard "we can't grow if we don't build new buildings" or "this building isn't appealing to people." Really? Because our church meets in the garage where we sit in plastic chairs with no heat or air, sometimes no electricity, and lots of noise from the street - and guess what? We have new people coming all the time. Now, before you blast me here, I know I am in a 3rd world country and that the "standards" in America are different. But that's probably part of the problem! When did it become more important to have the best and newest buildings over going out into the community and spreading the gospel? I'm not against building programs - if they are truly needed, nor am I against maintenance on the buildings. But to allow those things to be the focus, well, I think we have gone the wrong way. To me, that's just another part of legalism. Quit focusing on trying to please everyone. Focus on sharing the love of Christ with everyone. It should not be about the building. Does it really have to be "more contemporary" for people to want to come? Maybe, but if that's your focus, then I think you are off base. We need to focus more on getting out there and telling people the great story of Jesus. Be the church, be on mission. Quit staying inside the 4 walls of the church building thinking that if it's "bigger and better" people will come.
So, I know some of you are thinking that I am being critical, judgmental, and legalistic myself about legalism. I'm so not trying to be. I'm just concerned over the church, and writing is the way I express that best. I'm not perfect by any means, and I used to be so legalistic. I was the one saying, "look at what he is wearing," or "I'm not gonna sing because I don't like that song," but God has shown me that I only need to focus on Him alone, and let Him worry about the rest.
1 Samuel 16:7b ~ For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment