Comments on: Making Wise Decisions

By: Ryan Bergen

Ryan Bergen — Tue, 13 May 2008 10:11:07 +0000

Dave,

I would have to disagree with you. “Christian Liberty” is being free
from the bondage of sin. God didn’t give us “FREEDOM” to listen to Music or watch R-rated movies that blaspheme the name of our God, glorifies drugs, violence, immorality, ect. A true Christian will not
indulge in these sinful activities.

To answer * ’s question, it is commanded by scripture that we obey our Parents. The ONLY exception is if they ask us to do something contrary to scripture. I just turned 21 and I am VERY thankful that
my parents have kept me from many bad influences. (friends, music, movies, ect) I would have to admit that it didn’t always make sense.

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:11:04 +0000

True doctrine is absolutely essential for a healthy, growing body. However, I am also seeing quite a bit of finger-pointing happening within the church over non-essential issues because one person or another feels that such things may be a “slippery slope” and we are to abstain from them. In Christ, we have the freedom to listen to non-Christian music or to see R-rated movies, but there are many who are ready to condemn or judge the spirituality of another person simply because they themselves would not do such things, as those activities would cause them to honor Christ less. If that is true for them, then they should absolutely abstain from those things, but don’t automatically think that those things are stumbling blocks for everyone else! Christ is PARAMOUNT, Christ is our focus … not a check list of do’s and don’ts. Holdng one another accountable does not mean poking a finger into their chest and pointing out how much they have fallen. It doesn’t mean making things up that are not expressly forbidden in Scripture.

We have FREEDOM in Christ — FREEDOM to walk in obedience and FREEDOM to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in our lives, to change the way we think and act … not by the action of some Pharissee saying, “Thank God I am not like that man, a sinner!”

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 11 May 2008 03:18:15 +0000

I CAN SYMPATHIZE WITH LISA AND PAUL. I AM TRULY ASHAMED TO SAY THAT I HAVE NOT ATTENDED A CHURCH ON A REGULAR BASES IN ABOUT
2 1/2 YEARS. IM TRYING HARD NOT TO GIVE UP BUT SOMETIMES I GET
VERY DISCOURAGED AND AS LISA SAID WEARY BECAUSE MY DESIRE IS
TO GO. IT SEEMS NOONE IS TRUE TO DOCTORINE. I CAN’T EVEN MAKE
MYSELF GET UP AND START LOOKING BECAUSE I HAVE NO EARTHLY
IDEA WHERE TO START. PLEASE PRAY FOR ME THAT THE LORD WILL
LEAD ME .

By: Jean

Jean — Fri, 09 May 2008 17:50:39 +0000

Could someone answer the question for *? This same question has come up several times in Reformed Churches where parents are making all the life decisions for their 20 year olds living out of the home. What does this look like biblically? Do you not agreed there has to be a transition from command to advisory role? How then will our young adults learn to make biblical decisions if they are told what to decide rather than guided to choose? As older adults, we have to believe that after infusing God’s Word into the young people, they then need to correctly apply it to their lives.
How can we better teach them to honor and yet disagree with their parents? As a parent, I’d love hear your counsel to this young person and would the reply be different if it were to a male or female?
The tone of this question from the young adult was incredibly respectful. They seem to earnestly seek a biblical answer. Please respond to them (us).

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 08 May 2008 14:58:52 +0000

Lisa, You just said what all the ‘churches’ around us are doing too. Its awful. We never thought it would happen in our day that we’d see this! The ones that were ‘true’ are closing their doors. We have thought many times of moving and even tried to sell our place a couple of times to move closer to a real church, (not perfect), but true to the doctrine and teaching it, but real estate is not booming. So we drive when we can over an hour away. It is frustrating.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Thu, 08 May 2008 01:37:17 +0000

In our area, true churches are “dropping like flies” to the apostasy of unity over doctrine. Emergent books have stolen the minds of our leadership. “Anything” is acceptable to teach as long as it is the latest publication. It is all so very grieving. In God’s grace, I have found a faithful remnant of lovers of truth I consider to be the church I serve. Devotion to people instead of church programs allows us to grow spiritually and stand strong together. We tithe, we have our “jobs” at our church, we keep our tongues still as much as we can concerning irrational, irresponsible decisions on matters that aren’t essential doctrine. There is a constant barrage of falsehood from the pulpit that leaves me feeling like I must be the pickyest pest ever. And then I pray with the others who also hold fast to truth, and we praise God when we can snatch a person from the fire! I’m growing weary, but we are commanded not to do that! Thank You Lord for this website! We all can stay faithful in His strength!

By: Chris Roberts

Chris Roberts — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:35:54 +0000

Steven / Paul,

“3) Move closer to a good church. Obviously, the last option is much more invloved, but should seriously be considered, especially if you have a family.”

This is something people should be more willing to consider. There are a number of reasons why people decide to move. Some move to be closer to work, some to find a nicer house, a family down the road from us is moving to be in a neighborhood with more children the age of their kids. I have yet to meet someone who said, “I moved to be closer to such and such church.”

I believe church should be the “second center” of a Christian’s social life. Family should be the primary source of our socialization, church should be second. Work third. There are legitimate reasons why people must live some ways from church, but I think we should be more focused on trying to live close to our churches.

This is easy for me to say. I am a pastor living in a parsonage that shares a parking lot with the church. It is harder for other families already settled in a home, but it is something worth considering nonetheless.

I’m not particularly fond of Josh Harris’s book “Stop Dating the Church” but he offers this same advice in that book. Of all the reasons that a person might decide it is time to move, he should have “being close to church” high up on his list. Church is important. It needs to rank very high in our list of priorities, not just something we tack on from time to time. Unfortunately, many churchgoers simply tack it on when convenient. But how much are we willing to sacrifice/give/inconvenience ourselves in order to show how important the body of Christ is to us? Jesus died for the body. What will we do?

By: GUNNY HARTMAN

GUNNY HARTMAN — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:52:31 +0000

Many will move for a job, but not a church, but I’m beginning to think that Christians can be doing themselves a great disservice by not moving closer to the church to be more actively involved in it, for the benefit of their own sanctification.

By: *

Wed, 07 May 2008 17:24:50 +0000

I rarely find that I am able to make a life decision that: (a) does not impact those close to me, and (b) does not invite the strong opinion of those I am called to honor & obey (e.g., parents).

It’s one thing if those close to you or those who have “authority” over you (even if you’re no longer dependent on them & living under their roof) are just offering their counsel, but it’s another thing if they present their counsel as command (at least, in the bigger life decisions).

If that’s the case, & if what they are “commanding” is not a moral issue, should my “desires” be put aside every time to honor & obey them? Is this to always be the case with my parents until I am married?

By: Paul

Paul — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:44:44 +0000

Thank you Steve. We have thought of moving. Gas is so expensive and the closest ‘true’ church is well over an hour away. Its hard to be involved like we want to be in a church when we live this far from one. Basically the ’social gospel’ is what these churches around us have. Growth spiritually is almost nill with them. Its sad. Thank you again for the advise.

Blessings,
Paul