So I had an interesting thought that I wanted to share. Bear with me please, because this might be long.
I'm still taking in as much biblical information as I can, and the more I read about ALL of the debates between denomination over what classifies as sin, what doctrine is correct, who is the real heretic, etc...I kinda realized some things.
Satan's plan to infiltrate the church is not how I thought it was.
Now I'm not talking about disputes over basic biblical truths(such as whether or not it's okay to have premarital sex or something of the like)--but things that are...less important, if at all mentioned in the bible. Listen, in just the past few months, I've read and observed a lot. Some of which include;
- C.S. Lewis was a satanic pagan heretic who despises Christianity and if ANY pastor endorses his Christian works(like mere christianity)then he is a heretic himself and should be ashamed
- It's sinful for women to wear pants
- A woman thought that ANY and ALL cartoons were satanic and sending children to hell because of a 'vision' she had in a dream
- Rock music is secretly satantic worship messages
- Metal is evil because the 'beat' is aggressive
- Paul Washer(whom I really look up to)is a false prophet who pushes calvinism and causes people to stray from Jesus
- Anyone basically who doesn't believe in the 'right' doctrine is heretical and will burn in hell
- All holidays are evil because of their pagan roots, and if you celebrate any form of them, you're pretty much betraying Christ
- Contemplative prayer is anti-biblical because it resembles 'eastern tradition' and isn't mentioned in the bible
I mean...look at that list. The more I observe a lot of Christian communities, the more that I see what's going on in the background. There's so much competition between doctrines and beliefs, I have to wonder; are we missing the point? I understand that we are to rebuke our brothers and sisters when they are sinning, but what gives us the authority to argue over Christ-centered doctrine? So long as it's not promoting sin...what of it? I see a lot of Christians viciously attacking each other with the belief that 'their' doctrine is right, and become so arrogant that they feel as though they have the authority to tell people whether or not they're going to hell. Whether or not they're truly CHRISTIANS. Let's face it; Jesus Christ may be the only way to salvation, but it seems like that 'long narrow path' might actually have to be SEVERAL long narrow paths at this point.
I've dedicated myself to learning the truth about the bible; about Christianity. But the more I learn, the more I hear the arguments from all sides, the more I think of this particular verse...
Titus 3:9-11 NIV
But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.
...and the more I realize, we really are all missing the point.
How are we supposed to glorify God when we're busy condemning others?
How are we to claim we're loving just as Jesus Christ was when we use such harsh words like 'heretic', 'apostate', 'satanic' to describe our brothers and sisters who believe in the same sins, the same God, the same Jesus that died on the cross for all of our sins...all because they differ in doctrine? Is that not hate???
How are we supposed to grow in our relationship with God when we're only concerned with how 'holy' or 'correct' we appear to everyone around us?
How do we even know we're right with our doctrine?
How do we know those who disagree with us are wrong?
I'm sick and tired of it, truly. I myself do have disagreements with people over doctrine, and that's OKAY. I'm not saying you shouldn't voice an opinion if you think that something isn't biblically sound. But at the same time, it seems like very few people have the humility to admit that they could be wrong with their own argument--or that, heaven forbid, the subject matter is up to one's personal conviction. No, it's always "The verses I pulled up MYSELF say that you're wrong" or those condescending remarks of "Only the Holy Spirit can help you" when they realize you aren't caving in your own convictions--as if your version of God is different than mine and will suddenly enlighten me on why you're the holy one and I'm not???
The PRIDE displayed is unbelievable. None of us, not a single one is qualified to be the final judge on whether our interpretation of something in the bible is true or not. Just because someone has a different viewpoint, doesn't mean they're automatically a hedonistic heretic. Likewise, I'm sick of the word 'legalistic' being thrown around. Yes, there are a lot of real legalists out there; and no, they probably aren't the ones who are genuinely concerned with your spiritual state and think that you should make some changes in your life. There are a lot of EXTREMELY devout Christians whom I look up to who are full of zeal and considered 'legalistic' by people, I'm sure. Even I sometimes disagree with what they talk about. I once, admittedly, felt shameful that I wasn't as 'holy' or 'perfect' as they appeared to be--and I began to shy away from learning from them, that if I fell short of what they were, I wasn't good enough for Christ.
That was a big mistake on my part.
I'm not striving to be like other humans. I'm striving to be like CHRIST. I've spent so much time measuring myself by the standards of 'wise', Godly men and what they preached that I fell into the biggest and most obvious trap; self-condemnation. I felt like these people knew something I didn't, or that maybe I was wrong for not agreeing with everything they say. But you know what? I don't think that anymore. There is not a single human being that is, or has ever been, on this earth--except for those in the Bible and Jesus Christ--that I will ever truly trust the teachings of. I always, ALWAYS compare arguments to the opposing view; compare it with scripture, pray for clarity & never stop learning. The only way I'd ever trust a man's words fully is if he spoke in nothing but verses from the Bible itself.
This division is killing us. It's killing the church. These stupid arguments over 'temporal' objects and the like is, I feel, deeply distracting us from what we're supposed to be chasing after as hard and fast as we can--JESUS CHRIST!
Nobody knows if it's a sin to watch tv
Nobody knows if it's a sin for women to wear pants
Nobody knows if it's a sin to own nice cars or a big house
Nobody knows if it's a sin to play video games
Nobody knows if it's a sin to drink or smoke at all
Nobody knows if it's a sin to celebrate easter, halloween or christmas
We are NOT called to dispute over these things. I've come to this forum many times asking questions about these temporary things--when really, I should have been just reading my bible and thanking God for every opportunity that I've been given, whether it be the simple pleasure of sitting outside in the morning, worshipping God at my church, spending time with my family, or watching silly videos with my boyfriend. I've spent too much time arguing over what's 'okay' and what's 'not okay' and feeling like I either have to follow someone else's convictions, or make them follow my own.
At the end of the day, all of us could be wrong about anything. And that's OKAY. It's okay to have different doctrines as long as we are trying our hardest to follow God's will with what he has written to us. Don't condemn each other for every little thing; have civil discussions, and if you can't agree--agree to disagree, and then leave each other be. Nobody needs to be the 'heretic' or the 'pharisee'.
I will thank God and give Him glory in everything I do. Whether it be fasting, reading the bible, studying our rich Christian history or having fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ--to enjoying the talents of those who make my favorite video games and write the stories for my favorite fantasy worlds, reading the weird mythology of cultures long since dead, or just having fun celebrating halloween as a time not of pagan rituals but as a time to dress up and enjoy some spooky stories and candy with friends and family. I thank God for every experience I have in this world, good or bad, and trust that no matter what He won't let me stray.
Heck, even if you disagree with my views, I still love all of you and I encourage everyone to put aside our differences and just appreciate the fact that we're all running the same race with the same finish line. I think we'd all be a little better off as a whole if we took the time to personally pursue the truth ourselves--not just in the safe sanctuary of a church under a pastor who also just so happens to be another human being like ourselves, subject to bias and the like.
It's sad that Satan has used fear and division for so long to divide us all and distract us from what really matters. It's never been about the doctrines, the works or the 'fire and brimstone' sermons. And it CERTAINLY hasn't been about the Illuminati, the conspiracy theories or the 'hidden messages' --it's been about Jesus Christ, and our walk to be as much like him as possible. After all..
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
...now in the meantime, I need to work on practicing some love towards those I disagree with and/or dislike too OTL
I hope somebody found something good in my weird ramblings pFFFF