I'm generally not speaking of congregations here, but rather of individual Christians.
On a second, but even more important note, I feel as guilty as anyone, if not more so, of all of these. I think they're important observations primarily because I struggle with them and so they're important to me. I hope that they may help others realize that they may be robbing themselves of the same fulfillment that I at times do, and may do some good.
Finally, I don't say these things to point out how terrible our faith is or how terrible we are at it. Merely to draw some attention to areas that are weak in my life.
I think many of us who call ourselves Christians have robbed ourselves of some aspects of being Christians that are not only okay, but are good and right and holy. Some of these are phrases that I think we fear using, while others are general practices, but I think all are practical and useful, and can even be benficial.
7) Certain songs, but in particular "Amazing Grace"
I haven't heard Amazing Grace led more than once or twice in a congregation over the last 10 years of my life, and I think the main reason is because it's been used for so many other purposes and performed by so many others that we don't like the connotation about it. I doubt there are many better reminder and praise songs in our books than that song.
8) Emotion filled worship
Again, I think this is a matter of emphasis on "singing with the mind" instead of "singing with the spirit" to use Paul's words, but simply put BOTH are to be involved in worship. Without the first or the second the worship is meaningless; only with both does it take on the intended form of God.
9) (Last one, promise lol) The role of the Holy Spirit
This one is the hardest for me because I have possibly the least understanding of this topic as ANY biblical topic. I think because of its complexity, our lack of understanding of the HOW, and the rampant misunderstanding of His work today we have largely left this topic alone. I'm not saying we should go off the deep end here, but let's not be afraid to speak frankly about what the Holy Spirit does today.
The list could probably go on, but I'll leave it there. Again, this isn't a pot shot at anyone but myself, and certainly not at any congregation. Just some areas in which I ought to cease depriving myself of "all the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places".
Thanks for the post. We miss having you at Cedar Park. I read on your wonderful wife's blog that some of your research got accepted at a conference. That's great! Congratulations!! Come visit us next time you're in town:)
I decided to include the introduction again for good measure, so here ya go.
I'm generally not speaking of congregations here, but rather of individual Christians.
On a second, but even more important note, I feel as guilty as anyone, if not more so, of all of these. I think they're important observations primarily because I struggle with them and so they're important to me. I hope that they may help others realize that they may be robbing themselves of the same fulfillment that I at times do, and may do some good.
Finally, I don't say these things to point out how terrible our faith is or how terrible we are at it. Merely to draw some attention to areas that are weak in my life.
I think many of us who call ourselves Christians have robbed ourselves of some aspects of being Christians that are not only okay, but are good and right and holy. Some of these are phrases that I think we fear using, while others are general practices, but I think all are practical and useful, and can even be benficial.
4) The doctrine of the "virgin birth"
I'm not saying we reject this truth, because we affirm it, but we rarely speak of it. Again I think the reason is because of the emphasis that is put on it by those who teach a different gospel. Jesus' birth was not the emphasis of His life, nor the crowning point on which we should focus, BUT it was a fulfillment to prophecy, it was a miracle, and it is for the former reason especially a cornerstone of the Christian faith.
5) The idea of "salvation by grace"
Here in particular I think this is merely a matter of emphasis, so let me simply say that we ought to (as I've seen increasing recently) state plainly and clearly that we are saved by grace through faith as the Bible proclaims. Further explanation may be appropriate depending on the circumstance, but let's make no bones about it - we don't deserve God's love, spiritual life, or the salvation of our souls; but because God so desired and willed and purposed we have those things.
6) The idea that God works today
I had a Baptist friend a few years ago who hadn't prepared for a test, and he explained the circumstance to his professor who granted him an extra day to study. And my friend chalked this up to God's answer to prayer. I don't personally believe that circumstance was God working per se, but I think we fear so much attributing to God something that He didn't do that we don't really attribute much of anything to God.
Make no mistake about it, God is alive and well today and while I may not completely understand HOW He works, I am convinced that He does. I'm personally convinced that by prayer and the strength of brethren He helped me through tough circumstances some time ago. I'm convinced that by His help I have resisted temptations I didn't think I could otherwise. And I'm convinced that by requesting His help in prayer He made provision for me to find a godly wife. And I'm convinced that by continuing in these things He will continue to provide for my needs as He sees fit.
A few introductory comments are probably in order before I start the real post off.
I'm generally not speaking of congregations here, but rather of individual Christians.
On a second, but even more important note, I feel as guilty as anyone, if not more so, of all of these. I think they're important observations primarily because I struggle with them and so they're important to me. I hope that they may help others realize that they may be robbing themselves of the same fulfillment that I at times do, and may do some good.
Finally, I don't say these things to point out how terrible our faith is or how terrible we are at it. Merely to draw some attention to areas that are weak in my life.
This turned out to be really long, so I'll present it in three posts over the next few days. So with that . . .
I think many of us who call ourselves Christians have robbed ourselves of some aspects of being Christians that are not only okay, but are good and right and holy. Some of these are phrases that I think we fear using, while others are general practices, but I think all are practical and useful, and can even be benficial
1) A few phrases such as "Thank God", "Praise God", "Hallelujah", etc.
I readily grant and recognize that many in the world, and even some in denominations, use these phrases in ways that are inappropriate. Throwing God's name about as though it has no significance or meaning is, I'm convinced, a considerable disservice both to Him and to ourselves. But with that in mind, these are phrases that are ENTIRELY appropriate to use to do just what they say - thank Him, praise Him (the meaning of Hallelujah). We ought not fear to use these phrases in public or in private.
2) Another phrase "O my God"
This phrase in particular used to scare me to death. I recall a new song being led at a congregation when I was a young child, and I refused to sing it because I thought that phrase was disrespectful and wrong. And again I believe it can be wrong for much the same reason as noted above. However, this is another biblical phrase. It reiterates the relationship that exists between a believer and their God, and I think that not insignificant.
See Neh. 5:19, 6:14, Psalm 3:7, 7:1 for just a few references.
3) Another phrase dealing with our "relationship with God".
Again, I think we've generally shied away from this because of the emotional nature of it, and because of the way it is used by many who teach a different gospel. I know not what to say about this except that if we do not have a right relationship with God - if we do not know Him, if we don't speak to Him, if we don't seek His counsel in prayer and His word, if we do not love Him, etc. - we are doomed.
Good points. I agree, we don't need to not do something that is right just because others use it in the wrong way. The only word of caution I would have is don't use them in excess or let them become vain in their meaning or appearance to others. i.e. - be sincere in their use and use when appropriate so that we, as christians can maintain the proper example and influence to the world.
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as iti s written, "For thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Even with everything going on in the world at large and our lives individually, this will ALWAYS be true. What a joy and a comfort! Praise God!!!
