Laela
Sidestepping the "lynch mob"
ITA... esp at the bolded. Well said indeed!!
There are times I don't agree with some things my pastor says or even how he says it. Like with anything, I listen... chew the meat and spit out the bones. This is critical, I believe, to church going. Be led by God first, then man (spiritual leaders).
There are times I don't agree with some things my pastor says or even how he says it. Like with anything, I listen... chew the meat and spit out the bones. This is critical, I believe, to church going. Be led by God first, then man (spiritual leaders).
Laela- I like what you wrote here. I had the same thoughts when I was reading about Mordecai refusing to bow down to Haman. What you wrote is very powerful. "What God says trumps what religious action calls for." I know that Mordecai's situation was on the large side of the sprectrum, meaning him against the law of the land. His actions put an entire group of religious believers in danger, but this scripture made me think of how this applies to us on a smaller scale.
At times, we get so caught up in what our church tells us we should and shouldn't do that we forget we have a personal relationship with God. Our churches are there for guidance but God is our ultimate leader. His orders come first and foremost which is why it's important that we stay tuned in to his still small voice. We shouldn't be more dedicated to our church than we are to God. God gave us commandments and rules to live by in the Bible which can be considered the large side of the spectrum as with Mordecai and the laws of the King. We have to obey these well-known commandments, but God speaks to us everyday also on a smaller scale. He tells us bit by bit what his plan is for us. He gives us our own personal laws and commandments on how to accomplish his plan for us. How many of us are doing exactly what he tells us to do? Is someone pushing you to join one committee in your church but you know in your heart that God is telling you he needs you on a different committee? In this case "it is better to obey than to sacrifice" applies as well. In order to obtain your full blessing from God, you have to do what he asks of you.
I'm not saying that our churches are giving us bad guidance or anything like that. I just want to point out that God is the only one who knows the plan he has for us. It's great to receive advice or to hear someone else's vision for you but we need to always cross-reference it with what God speaks to our hearts. Our connection with our churches or any other organization should not trump our personal relationship with God. Obey the laws of the land yes, but be in tuned with God also so that first and foremost you're always obeying him.
Every time I'm going through something God gives me a scripture that confirms what he's saying to me. And this one was right on time. I was being led the wrong way on a church committee but God reminded me of his true purpose and plan for me.