Gray areas of Christianity?
"So let us try to do what makes peace and helps one another" - Romans 14:19
I've seen, met, interacted so many groups and tribes of believers. PCA, KC Team 1, TFT, Spark, Touchpoint, Fort AM and PM, FNL, Ignite 2011,and ENV just to name a few. Each have their own set of personal cultures, traditions, behaviors, strengths and attitudes in lined with the Christian faith. All of those factors vary on several levels depending on their growth, maturity, community, and genuine relationship with the almighty.
As I have witnessed and proven to myself the amazing existence of diversity and the unique color mixture of the body of Christ, 2 key verses assembled in my cerebrum. One is ".. Do not argue about opinions. " - Romans 14:1.
It shows the respect for other views and notions. We are not to judge or criticize the core values or beliefs of other churches and believers. The bottom line is, do they glorify God. 5 times, Paul can't overemphasized this anymore on verse 6,
"..are doing that for the Lord..", "..are doing that for the Lord..", "..do that for the Lord.." and on 8 "..living for the Lord..", "..dying for the Lord..".
Just to balance it. Some would take the 1st part(v.1-12) of the chapter being too radical or liberal, or even abuse the meaning of it, Paul assured the readers to grasp the main point through setting the boundaries and clarifying the important things of how Christians ought to behave in accordance with the word of God.
He nailed it on verse 13:
"For that reason we should stop judging each other. We must make up our minds not to do anything that will make another Christian sin."
Following up a combo on 16:
"Do not allow what you think is good to become what others say is evil". BOOM!!!
For the people who thinks the Bible is just an irrelevant old book with today's issues, specially in our generation of science, media and technology, that's non-existent 2,000 years ago. EEEHHHHH!!! *sound of a wrong answer in a quiz bee* NO!! ;-p N-E-V-E-R!!
I like how God chose people to write his words and to be compiled into his timeless book.
I like how God just reveal spiritual and genuine truths to us, and to understand them in their most simple and easy-to-read forms (ex. Parables). It's just amazing isn't it?!
You can from run others, but you can't hide with God.
You can have and maintain a noble image outside, but a part of your heart isn't fully devoted to God.
You can help,serve others and do goods, butwith a different motive inside.
You can follow the Decalogue, but have misunderstood the concept of Salvation.
POWER VERSE: ".. The important things are living right with God, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 1:17
You can do anything you want, staying inside the boundaries of faith. But one thing for sure, you can never manipulate and rationalized the word of God nor outsmart him.
Like the most commonly used verse my mom utters to correct me. "Everything is permissible but not beneficial."
**All verses are in NCV.
I've seen, met, interacted so many groups and tribes of believers. PCA, KC Team 1, TFT, Spark, Touchpoint, Fort AM and PM, FNL, Ignite 2011,and ENV just to name a few. Each have their own set of personal cultures, traditions, behaviors, strengths and attitudes in lined with the Christian faith. All of those factors vary on several levels depending on their growth, maturity, community, and genuine relationship with the almighty.
As I have witnessed and proven to myself the amazing existence of diversity and the unique color mixture of the body of Christ, 2 key verses assembled in my cerebrum. One is ".. Do not argue about opinions. " - Romans 14:1.
It shows the respect for other views and notions. We are not to judge or criticize the core values or beliefs of other churches and believers. The bottom line is, do they glorify God. 5 times, Paul can't overemphasized this anymore on verse 6,
"..are doing that for the Lord..", "..are doing that for the Lord..", "..do that for the Lord.." and on 8 "..living for the Lord..", "..dying for the Lord..".
Just to balance it. Some would take the 1st part(v.1-12) of the chapter being too radical or liberal, or even abuse the meaning of it, Paul assured the readers to grasp the main point through setting the boundaries and clarifying the important things of how Christians ought to behave in accordance with the word of God.
This chapter indirectly answers these questions (in our faith):
[In order for us to understand this, a transparent heart, and clean motive must take place, revolving around our genuine relationship with God, If some points are still unclear to you, I URGE, ask your discipleship mentor/leader.]
Is it OK to drink beer or wine? (Ok lang po ba uminom pastor?)
Can I enter into a relationship? When is the right time to enter?
Can I watch these kinds of movies? Can I listen to these types of musics?
Can I read these genres of novels/books? Can I dance these forms of dance?
Can I still attend mass? or other churches? Is it bad to do the sign of the cross?
Is it wrong to have a tattoo? Or eat pork or dinuguan? Is there a situation where one could do white lie? How long can I stay up at night? Ok lang po ba talaga magpuyat? Am I allowed to go to those kinds of parties/gimik with them? Hanggang saan or kailan kami ng bf/gf ko magsstay sa labas?
And the list of questions goes on and on (depending on your view of the law and grace). There are a bunch of them but why bother?!? The important thing is that, "Are you living RIGHT with God?". I like how Paul reconciled both the extremes of legalism and worldliness, and explained, as what some would say the so-called gray areas of Christianity.
He nailed it on verse 13:
"For that reason we should stop judging each other. We must make up our minds not to do anything that will make another Christian sin."
Following up a combo on 16:
"Do not allow what you think is good to become what others say is evil". BOOM!!!
For the people who thinks the Bible is just an irrelevant old book with today's issues, specially in our generation of science, media and technology, that's non-existent 2,000 years ago. EEEHHHHH!!! *sound of a wrong answer in a quiz bee* NO!! ;-p N-E-V-E-R!!
I like how God chose people to write his words and to be compiled into his timeless book.
I like how God just reveal spiritual and genuine truths to us, and to understand them in their most simple and easy-to-read forms (ex. Parables). It's just amazing isn't it?!
You can from run others, but you can't hide with God.
You can have and maintain a noble image outside, but a part of your heart isn't fully devoted to God.
You can help,serve others and do goods, butwith a different motive inside.
You can follow the Decalogue, but have misunderstood the concept of Salvation.
POWER VERSE: ".. The important things are living right with God, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." - Romans 1:17
You can do anything you want, staying inside the boundaries of faith. But one thing for sure, you can never manipulate and rationalized the word of God nor outsmart him.
Like the most commonly used verse my mom utters to correct me. "Everything is permissible but not beneficial."
**All verses are in NCV.
Comments
Post a Comment