I posted this before but in 2014, so I will post it again in response.
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Posted June 24, 2014
I was out soul winning, door knocking in the area when someone who answered the door stated "I have heard of your church, you guys are the one's with all those rules." I looked at him genuinely confused and said "we don't have ANY rules." He said, "then why do you guys dress so different, and you don't drink, go dancing, go to movie theaters, or party like normal folks, and you go to church like several times a week?" I told him it's because of a love for God and what he has done for us. We find principles in His word that indicates what would be most pleasing to Him and out of love we do all we can to please Him. You don't have to do ANY of those things to attend our church, that would make them rules that must be followed. You don't need to follow any of those things to be saved either and on your way to heaven. I then got the chance to explain a non-works salvation to him.
A person who needs rules, doesn't understand principles.
Galatians 5:18 (KJV)
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. If you are truly led of the Spirit, the Spirit will NEVER lead you to do anything that is contrary to God's will and Word, there is no need for the law.
Rules are neccesary for a heart away from God.
Galatians 3:19a (KJV)
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions
1 Corinthians 6:12 (KJV)
12 All things are lawful unto me [the Law], but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any [the Principle].
1 Corinthians 10:23 (KJV)
23 All things are lawful for me [the Law], but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not [the Principle].
The law makes nothing perfect.
Hebrews 7:19 (KJV)
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
The law was not made for righteous men. 1 Timothy 1:8-10 (KJV)
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disOBedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
Galatians 3:24 (KJV)
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
So many people, especially IFB's who have been raised since children in an IFB church, have no idea WHY we have the standards we do. Until they understand that a standard is simply a self-imposed boundary set to help us keep a conviction that was formed by understanding a principle from God's word. You first find a principle in God's word, and from that principle you form a conviction, and then a standard is set by yourself to help you keep that conviction. Because of this, some standards are entirely yours alone. For instance, I will not allow myself to own a boat. There is absolutely nothing wrong or sinful about boat ownership, but for me, outdoor recreation is a huge draw and I am weak enough to it ( "I will not be brought under the power of any"), that my ministry for God is hurt by it. Until people have standards put IN them by understanding the principles behind them, instead of ON them because "that's just the way we do things" they will never have them for their own and it is easy for them to backslide as soon as they are out of the house.
Bro. Garry
In His will. By His power. For His glory.
Oh, please knock it off! 2Tim posted about being led to a church that, a few years down the road, was harmed by MAN. God does lead people to places that eventually do go bad, you know. God led my hubby and I to a church where the pastor eventually tried to kill him. Does the original leading of God mean we should've stayed? Of course not. That's not even common sense, let alone Biblical. Man is sinful and man can go awry - even in a good church. And that good church can become controlled by the wrong group of folks. It is not only possible, it has happened time and time again.
God led my parents to a church many years ago. And, over time, things went bad. Because the preacher gave in to the flesh. And so they left. Why? Because the preacher would not admit his sin. And so God led them elsewhere. He does do that, you know.
Please stop being so ready to pounce on every little thing someone says. And that's a moderator order, thank you very much. Else this thread closes.
Seeing as you are so quick to attack and reject what is put forth it would do you much more good to read the Word for yourself. Read the New Testament, or read one Gospel and the rest of the New Testament.
What I have mentioned is basic Christianity and something we all need to feed upon ourselves.
Christians are called to forsake all for Christ. We are called to deny ourselves and submit to Christ. Our lives are no longer our own, if we are in Christ and if Christ is in us this will be clearly evident. Read the Word.
