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  Flight Paths

Seizing the Opportunity

12/8/2014

9 Comments

 
Ordinarily I stay out of things like this, but maybe that isn’t as much about discretion as I would like to believe, so here are a few thoughts on the topic of the month.
    Since I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere else, let me start with this.  Jesus celebrated a national holiday that was not included in the Law.  The Feast of Dedication began between the testaments and there is no indication at all that God ordained it, yet the Lord attended the celebrations, John 10:22--what we call Hanukkah, ironically enough.  Clearly, celebrating a national holiday, even one with religious overtones such as our Thanksgiving, is not wrong.
    Already this past week I have been accused of being a part of a group that has a holier-than-thou attitude, and in some cases that person is right.  I fear we are too quick to jump on our friends and neighbors when the example in the New Testament is to use whatever opportunities we have to teach, not pontificate with our chests puffed out and thumbs stuck beneath our metaphorical suspenders.  
    When the apostles preached on Pentecost, they didn’t start out by telling those people they were celebrating a festival that was no longer valid.  There were far more important issues at hand, like salvation from sin.  The Holy Spirit had no qualms about using their [Providential] attendance at that event to inspire a sermon they all needed to hear, in many languages, no less.
    When Paul traveled around preaching, he went to the synagogues on the Sabbath.  Didn’t he know that the Sabbath was no longer in force?  What kind of example did he think he was setting?  He didn’t seem to worry about that.  He knew he would find some devout Jews there, so he went.
    When he preached in Athens, he used their idolatry to teach them about the true God.  He even accommodated their mistaken understanding by talking about the idol he had found “to the unknown god.”  Pagan idolatry often included sins like fornication, yet Paul used their incorrect beliefs, and even their own culture, to begin teaching them about salvation.  He didn’t jump on them with high-handed zeal about how ignorant and debauched they were.
    “But you are not an apostle,” I hear someone saying.  Seems like an odd line for people who use approved apostolic example to determine authority in all we do.
    “I became all things to all men,” Paul says in one passage.  If my neighbor is talking about Jesus this time of year, I am not going to ignore him or tell him that Jesus was not born on December 25.  I am going to “become him” by telling him even more about a Savior who came to earth to save us all.  Do you think I would ever have a chance to do that if I approached it the other way?  
    I have known people who say we shouldn’t celebrate Christ’s birth at all.  Yet we celebrate that every time we read about Deity “emptying himself” and “being born in the likeness of men” (Phil 2:7); about the Word “becoming flesh and dwelling among us” (John 1:14); about the “body thou hast prepared for me” (Heb 10:5).  The sacrifice of our Lord did not begin on Calvary; it began when the Creator of the world (Col 1:16) became a human, when the Holy Spirit conceived him in the womb of a virgin in Nazareth.  
    If we should not celebrate his incarnation, whenever it was, we shouldn’t just avoid singing what the world calls Christmas carols, but should also avoid songs with lines like, “Why did my Savior come to earth?”  We sing several hundred of them.  You see, it isn’t that anyone really believes this.  It’s that they are inconsistent in their beliefs because they have not considered the full ramifications.  They are too busy reacting to the world instead of loving souls.    
    If I give my neighbor a gift of homemade cookies this week, I am not condoning paganism or worldliness; I am reaching out at a time when he might be more receptive.  And if he has given me a bag of grapefruit from his tree and I don’t reciprocate, he will not think I have scruples, he will just feel rebuffed and turn away from me.  
    We have a tendency to make specious arguments that won’t hold water under close observation.  We all need to be careful, especially when we are so sure, not that we are on God’s side, but that He is on ours.    
    For the next couple of weeks, we have an opportunity.  Seize it!

Who are you that judges the servant of another? to his own lord he stands or falls. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lord has power to make him stand. One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day [alike]. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind, Rom 14:4,5

Dene Ward

9 Comments
Troyanne
12/7/2014 08:44:08 am

You said that so well. I will be the first to admit, I am in the early stages of learning about the Church of Christ. First "stumbling block" I hit was about Christmas. Yes, I know that December 25 is not recognized as the true Birthdate of Christ, that it is actually a Pagan holiday, that Christians saw as a open door to bring Christ into the grand picture, and refocus the celebration to be more Christ centered. Which in turn educated more people about the "Christmas Story"...or the story of Joseph, Mary, and the birth of the Christ child. If it had been set on any other day, there would still be people pointing out it is "wrong".
But, what IS "wrong" with sharing the Word that a Savior has been born, introducing people all over the World to a tiny baby, and them following the story through the entire life of Christ, getting exposure to the Gospel of Christ...opening them up for God to reach in and touch their Soul, bringing them closer to Him?
We talk about God wanting a relationship with each of us. I can stand on a corner sharing my Testimony, I can get up in front of a crowd and Testify. But if a person is not open and receptive yet, or doesn't understand the basis of what I am talking about...I don't see where I have been able to bring Christ to them. But, the people who slow down during this Season, go to the churches, take the walks through the Living Nativities, or just listen to the "Christmas Music"...they become more open and receptive. For some, the Word of God will plant a seed in their heart, and they will seek Him further.
If something can bring a person closer to God, how is it "wrong"? If people step out and do more acts of kindness to/for their fellow man this Season, in the name of Jesus, how is that "wrong".
Person A can choose to not follow the traditional celebrations/observations of "Christmas" in their home/family, because they shun the Pagan connection. Person B can choose to observe all of the trappings of Christmas, and celebrate the birth of Christ during this time. Both households are developing THEIR relationships with God.
How is that "wrong"? All God wants is an open door, He can do the rest. Sometimes it is us, as individuals, that open that door for someone through our acts as Christians. Sometimes, it is an observance, a celebration of sorts, that draws the curious, and the door is opened.
Revelations 3:20 comes to my mind.

Reply
Dene
12/8/2014 12:33:19 am

Troyanne, we are all at different stages of finding the path of being nothing more than a disciple of the Lord, not some sort of labeled Christian. I wish we could all be as nonjudgmental as some of my newer brothers and sisters.

Reply
Helene link
12/7/2014 12:13:33 pm

I couldn't agree more! Let's be kinder, more loving, more interested in souls than in arguing. Let's use every chance not to violate our conscience but to be to the Jew a Jew and to the Gentile a Gentile that somehow by the grace of God we may win some!

Reply
Dene
12/8/2014 12:34:02 am

Amen sweet sister.

Reply
diane
12/7/2014 09:39:12 pm

Thank you. And let me encourage folks to learn about Christ and God. Please don spend time learning about "th Church of Christ" or any other denomination for that matter. Learn what God wants and His child. It's really that simple. Forsake all denominational creeds whether written, spoken, or just traditional practices!

Reply
Dene
12/8/2014 12:37:20 am

Diane, The question should never be "What is a Church of Christ?" but, "When is a church 'of Christ?' " You can only find out in the New Testament, not in a creed book. I'm with you on that.

Reply
Bill Robinson link
12/8/2014 01:07:36 am

Thanks! Excellent thoughts. I needed them.

Reply
Tom Reed
12/8/2014 02:12:29 am

Dene, thanks for the well written, thought out article. We are all seeking to serve the Lord in the best way (His way) possible. Hopefully, each of us can be as non-judgmental as scripturally possible in areas of opinion like this.

Reply
Joan Elder link
12/8/2014 02:15:18 am

Insightful writing and helpful to keep in mind how Jesus and the apostles worked through similar "holy days" for our approved example!! ;)
As a new convert over 30 years ago I wrestled with this and finally came to appreciate the "Mars Hill" type of opportunity it really is. If someone celebrates Jesus birth, lets capitalize on that and teach them more about who He really was and is as our King now. He did not stay a baby, so I choose to remind people who celebrate His birth that he is now reigning as Lord. Oh, how wonderful that He did become a baby, to share in our suffering and celebrate with us in our new birth into His Kingdom. We are blessed to know Him and to share Him with others. Now that's a gift that keeps on giving. Praise His name.

Reply



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    Dene Ward has taught the Bible for more than  forty years, spoken at women’s retreats and lectureships, and has written both devotional books and class materials. She lives in Lake Butler, Florida, with her husband Keith.


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