Today's sermon was on submission. Specifically how the church family should submit to each other and each other's thoughts and opinions. I have a hard time with this. (I know you are all surprised!) I do think it is very important to have friends and family to share opinions with and recieve feedback from, and yes even be held accountable by. No one is perfect and many times people who care about us can shed some light on a situation that perhapes we didn't see. So, yes it's good to respect each other and listen humbly to each other.
However, just because someone in the church thinks I should do something doesn't mean I should do it. Or even someone close to me. People can have different opinions even from each other. I think every one has to be comfortable in their decisions with how it relates to God. How it affects their relationship with Him and fits His teachings and principles. Other people can help us understand this better. I will be the first to admit to soliciting opinions from you guys frequently. But, when it comes time to make a decision, I have to do what I think is right before God.
Any thoughts?
6 comments:
kirsten,
Your thoughts are stupid
My mean cousin Paul wrote that. I'm crying as we speak...
are you really crying?????
If so, bad Paul!!!
well said.
Avoiding the saga of Paul making Kristen cry (bad Paul!), to your original question I think that it can be tricky. The only answer I can give is to study the Bible, grow your relationship with God, and then you will be mature enough to make your own decisions as opposed to having them dicated to you from the pulpit. I think an authentic Christian community is a bunch of broken people sharing experiences they've had on their journey in the hopes that something they've experiences my be of help to someone else. Everyone is different, so what might work for one person might not work for you.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Submission is appropriate when you're submitting to something that is Christ-like. You don't have to submit to anyone and everyone just because they're (a church leader, the government, or a man (the usual examples given by preachers). If it's blatantly against Christian values, don't submit! However, I think we do need to respect each other's opinions and have room for tolerance.
Post a Comment