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?
Can We Have A Little Flexibility?
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NorrinRadd
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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.
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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?
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jamescarvin
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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).
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Albion
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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!
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this is the most insightfull thing i read all morning. If we belive trully that there is one god and he wrote the bible then it would be common sence he would have a hand in more than just one book, I mean look at how much time he has got, gotta do somthing right
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salamacum
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Flexibility, there's a thing.
I've become convinced recently that not just as individuals we see through a glass darkly but also as denominations or communities.
I get annoyed with so-called discernment sites. My Catholic and Orthodox friends see those as the inevitable fruit of evangelicalism, the splintering and the factionalism, the inability to arrive at consensus at what the Bible is all about. Of course those Churches have different problems, maybe formalism and nominalism.
I wish my fellow-worshippers could understand why I want to find out what is of value in other persuasions.
I've become convinced recently that not just as individuals we see through a glass darkly but also as denominations or communities.
I get annoyed with so-called discernment sites. My Catholic and Orthodox friends see those as the inevitable fruit of evangelicalism, the splintering and the factionalism, the inability to arrive at consensus at what the Bible is all about. Of course those Churches have different problems, maybe formalism and nominalism.
I wish my fellow-worshippers could understand why I want to find out what is of value in other persuasions.
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WannaWitness
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AngelusSax
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Flexibility is a good thing, and I think without it, Christians do themselves, and the world, a huge disservice.
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salamacum
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< < What I think is that there is no end to the number of Christian churches, of various denominations, which do indeed practice that flexibility. >>
Have you ever moved in Christian circles (Messianic or fundamentalist) that assert that this indeed is the sign of our end-times apostasy?
What would you say to them?
Have you ever moved in Christian circles (Messianic or fundamentalist) that assert that this indeed is the sign of our end-times apostasy?
What would you say to them?
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dusky_tresses
Just holding on
I believe we need to look beyond flexibility and start exercising a balance of compassion and chastising. As Christians, we are supposed to be compassionate, but the Bible instructs us to chastise when necessary in a manner that is loving and truly cares for the other person.
What was described in the OP cite some examples of legalistic thinking that we get caught in. When it comes down to it, why does it concern someone so just because that other person doesn't read their Bible every day? Why is it their concern if they don't participate in ministries at their church? This just shows a way of thinking which is so outwardly-focused it forgets that we are supposed to accept Christ from within and act accordingly.
If this is part of flexibility, I'll take it.
What was described in the OP cite some examples of legalistic thinking that we get caught in. When it comes down to it, why does it concern someone so just because that other person doesn't read their Bible every day? Why is it their concern if they don't participate in ministries at their church? This just shows a way of thinking which is so outwardly-focused it forgets that we are supposed to accept Christ from within and act accordingly.
If this is part of flexibility, I'll take it.
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Peripatetic
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It's great to see this thread on a Christian forum. So much of the religious narrow-mindedness leads to fragmentation, doubt, and self-righteousness... all tools of the Devil. There IS room for flexibility without full-blown relativism. I often cite Romans 14 - I did earlier today in another thread, in fact. If you maintain a connection with God and His word, you'll see the right path for you. It may be different, but no less Christian than the next person.
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