Well, I’m sitting here at the airport, trying to get to New Orleans but the DFW weather is not cooperating! Heavy thunderstorms there, so my flight to DFW is on hold, waiting for the DFW airport to be opened. <sigh> But, I had a thought to share with you, and have time to share it, so here it is.
My siblings and I were all helping my mother move into her new house over the weekend, and my sister and I happened to be at different churches Sunday morning. She heard a thought expressed in the sermon she heard (I haven’t heard it yet; I need to go download it and listen. Once I get it I’ll post the link for you.) that impacted her. It may lose a little in the translation, from the preacher, to her, to me, to you, but it was along these lines:
One of the good features of domestic oxen is that they are docile. This has been bred into them. Were they not docile, a single person would never be able to put a yoke on them, to bind them to his service. Some Christians are like that. They are docile. They willingly accept a yoke fashioned from strong-willed individuals’ personal convictions. These individuals bind rules on Christians that can not be found in the Word. BUT SOME CHRISTIANS ALLOW THEMSELVES TO BE BOUND!
I don’t know where the sermon went from there, but I have to wonder about myself (I’ll leave your situation to you to wonder about): Am I docile? Do I willingly accept being bound by those who believe it is their right to bind others? I think I have been this way in the past. But I also believe God is leading me out of that mentality. I’m really glad, because I don’t want to be an ox. I’d rather be a warrior. May the Lord forgive my timidity in His service, and grant boldness in its place. And may He do the same for you!
–Mark
This may be one of the most difficult problems we encounter. How do I “Live at peace … love one another…be humble…patient… kind… long suffering…put the needs of others before my own…” (and the list goes on), while seeing and hearing theology contray to what I beleive the scriptures teach. How do I rebuke yet follow all the references listed above? How do I show the world I am a Christ follower, and contend with those of my own fellowship?
It would be so easy just to dimiss those who have a legalistic theology and associate with a group who thinks and worships just like me, but how does that fit with iron sharpening iron? Esacping to a comfortable place may not be the answer. Am I where I am to make a difference like Esther? As Avery Johnson once said, I’m a warrior for the Lord”! (Those who lived in SA can do their own impersonation)
This is the dilemma. I beleive we as a tribe went down the legalistic road because many were docile, knowing that some theology was missing the mark, but unwilling to contend for the faith. I don’t know the answer. I would like to be in a place that fits me, but my faith may suffer. In the end I think love is more important than being right. We’ve lived under the converse of that and we know what fruit it bears.
Philippians 2:12
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling
May God grant us the grace to see His image in everyone!
Sam
Well, I can’t dispute much (if any) of what you say, except for one comment. And you may be right, and I may be wrong, but I’m not sure if your comment about going down the legalistic road “because many were docile, knowing that some theology was missing the mark, but unwilling to contend for the faith” is right. I rather suspect that many were (are) docile, and prefer to put their trust in other people’s interpretation of the Word, rather than in their own understanding. After a while of course this turns into (if it didn’t START here) faith in the other person, instead of faith in the Word. And that’s a bad place to be. IMHO.
Thanks for your “May God grant us…” closing. I needed that.
–Mark