Can We Have A Little Flexibility?

ChristianCritic · #1 7th May 2009, 03:52 PM

A personality trait which many Christians are not known for is FLEXIBILITY. I'm not saying that Christians ought to compromise on their basic values, but rather, that it is beneficial and wise to be flexible about the FORM in which those values are expressed. For example, I believe that it is important for every Christian to read and to understand the basic meaning of the Bible. But I don't think that every Christian needs to set aside a "quiet" time every day to read Scripture. Another example is church. I do believe that besides private prayer and bible study, that Christians ought to worship God and be part of a community with other Christians. But I don't think that every Christian needs to go to church every week. These are my thoughts--what do you all think?

NorrinRadd · #2 8th May 2009, 05:06 AM

I think for most people, practically speaking, the Xian "walk" is really more of a "stagger," trying to be consistent and disciplined, without succumbing to legalism and bondage; trying to be "free" and Spirit-led, without being untethered and airy.

e. barrett · #3 8th May 2009, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by ChristianCritic

Another example is church. I do believe that besides private prayer and bible study, that Christians ought to worship God and be part of a community with other Christians. But I don't think that every Christian needs to go to church every week. These are my thoughts--what do you all think?

I don't think believers need to go to church every week - however I think the more you miss out on regular disciplines of a relationship with God, the weaker that relationship becomes. (If we don't talk to our best friend every week, how long until that relationship weakens?).

That said if someone is feeling obligated to go to church, and they don't want to, they might want to consider finding another church or exploring the reasons why they aren't excited to go. And yes, there are bad churches. God isn't boring, so why should church be?

jamescarvin · #4 8th May 2009, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by NorrinRadd

I think for most people, practically speaking, the Xian "walk" is really more of a "stagger," trying to be consistent and disciplined, without succumbing to legalism and bondage; trying to be "free" and Spirit-led, without being untethered and airy.

I have noticed that every time I step up my church attendance and other forms of discipline, the closer and more dynamic my walk with the Lord gets. It's not legalism. To me every day is the same. Its transformation by the renewing of my mind. I've got to fill myself with the things of the Spirit. Going once a week seems very minimal and actually dangerously uncommital. My advice is make decisions and do "whatever it takes" to get your life holy and right in every way.

The word "flexible" is OK. If you miss something here or there no one is counting. Yes, one is watching, but that One is full of love towards you and not waiting for you to stumble - which you will. Give yourself a break, but don't let satan fool you into thinking you don't need to make commitments until you are able to overcome your failure to walk always in the Spirit. This is war. Discipline is a great thing and really an essential tool for anyone who cares to not be defeated by the enemy.

ChristianCritic · #5 8th May 2009, 08:34 PM

Originally Posted by NorrinRadd

I think for most people, practically speaking, the Xian "walk" is really more of a "stagger," trying to be consistent and disciplined, without succumbing to legalism and bondage; trying to be "free" and Spirit-led, without being untethered and airy.

I agree, but "stagger" is probably not the best choice of words because it has a rather negative connotation. I would liken the walk to a journey. Depending upon the terrain, sometimes you should walk, other times you should sprint, yet other times you should climb or crawl and unfortunately you may backslide or fall as well.

ChristianCritic · #6 8th May 2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by e. barrett

I don't think believers need to go to church every week - however I think the more you miss out on regular disciplines of a relationship with God, the weaker that relationship becomes. (If we don't talk to our best friend every week, how long until that relationship weakens?).

That said if someone is feeling obligated to go to church, and they don't want to, they might want to consider finding another church or exploring the reasons why they aren't excited to go. And yes, there are bad churches. God isn't boring, so why should church be?

I agree that we need to spend quality time with God. But what I am getting at--to use your analogy of a best friend--is what if you were told that this friend of yours you needed to see him/her in person no more nor no less than once a week and always on the same day and that you were to call this person every day and that e-mail or text didn't count?

I think that each individual Christian goes through different situations and different "seasons" in their relationship with God. There may be years devoted mainly to Bible study with not much in terms of church involvement. Then later, there may be years of church involvement, to be followed by years of only occasionally going to church. Or a Christian may miss church service one week then go three times next week, etc.

ChristianCritic · #7 8th May 2009, 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by jamescarvin

I have noticed that every time I step up my church attendance and other forms of discipline, the closer and more dynamic my walk with the Lord gets. It's not legalism. To me every day is the same. Its transformation by the renewing of my mind. I've got to fill myself with the things of the Spirit. Going once a week seems very minimal and actually dangerously uncommital. My advice is make decisions and do "whatever it takes" to get your life holy and right in every way.

The word "flexible" is OK. If you miss something here or there no one is counting. Yes, one is watching, but that One is full of love towards you and not waiting for you to stumble - which you will. Give yourself a break, but don't let satan fool you into thinking you don't need to make commitments until you are able to overcome your failure to walk always in the Spirit. This is war. Discipline is a great thing and really an essential tool for anyone who cares to not be defeated by the enemy.

I agree that we should do "whatever it takes" and that that is the bottom line. And I don't want people to think that by "flexible" I meant spend less time with God--rather, by flexible I meant there are many different ways to spend time with God and in terms of schedule we may come up with a schedule for things but we have to always be open-minded that God's schedule for us may be different. We can set goals for ourselves, but it is God who determines the WAYS in which things happen.

Another reason I think it's important to be flexible is that we may come up with beneficial activities to do as well as a regular schedule to follow, but something may come up which is more important. Let's say that you got into a fight with a friend or family member over the weekend, and there's the possibility of the two of you reconciling on Sunday, BUT you have to go to church and there's a full day of activities and meetings to attend! Wouldn't that be missing the point?

MrJim · #8 8th May 2009, 11:30 PM

Romans 14 points toward "flexibility" when dealing with brothers & sisters..

ChristianCritic · #9 9th May 2009, 01:50 PM

Originally Posted by MrJim

Romans 14 points toward "flexibility" when dealing with brothers & sisters..

Thanks for the cite! It's directly on point and speaks of differences among Christians in terms of flexibility of schedules, rules and regulations, etc. It also seems to say that we should be flexible . . . about whether other people are flexible, although it also suggests that stronger Christians are more flexible.

"Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike." (Romans 14:1-5).

Albion · #10 9th May 2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by ChristianCritic

A personality trait which many Christians are not known for is FLEXIBILITY. I'm not saying that Christians ought to compromise on their basic values, but rather, that it is beneficial and wise to be flexible about the FORM in which those values are expressed. For example, I believe that it is important for every Christian to read and to understand the basic meaning of the Bible. But I don't think that every Christian needs to set aside a "quiet" time every day to read Scripture. Another example is church. I do believe that besides private prayer and bible study, that Christians ought to worship God and be part of a community with other Christians. But I don't think that every Christian needs to go to church every week. These are my thoughts--what do you all think?

I agree with you. I suppose that if we used some other examples of Christians following different standards, we might run into more difficult terrain, but I agree with what you've said here. It's often remarked that there should be unity in essentials and liberty in non-essentials, but then it gets to be like pulling teeth to get some of the people who like that advice to label anything as a non-essential!