We're approaching the time of year where we, as Christians, celebrate Holy Week (the last week of Jesus' life on earth). These days (along with the Nativity story) are where we separate our faith and beliefs from those of others. Some people say that Easter is simply a pagan holiday, but we say that Easter is a Christian Holy-day. Other overlook either idea and simply accept it as vacation days.
There are so many things separating Christians and dividing us, when we really need to spend more time fellowshipping with one another on what we agree on. We can fellowship in perfect union and agree on the Virgin birth, Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. After all, isn't this what salvation is based in? You can be saved by believing these things and asking Jesus into your life.
Now, we come to all of the other things that enter into the life of an individual heart of a believer. I believe that Jesus died in my place, for me. I believe He bore my sin and the curse of the Law so that I might be blessed. I believe that I will spend eternity with Him in heaven and will walk with Him on this earth now.
Most of us believe in these things as Christians. I believe that God is my Father and that I am righteous in His eyes because of Jesus. I believe that I was born again from spiritual death into the Life of the Spirit through Christ Jesus.
Most of us can agree on these things, but all of these things aren't all of His things. Where we mostly come into disagreement is when someone steps into a deeper walk or understanding with God than someone else has done. There are many things about Jesus that we still don't know or understand. As Christians, we've been called into a place of seeking the truth.
The Holy Spirit gave Paul a prayer for the Church in Colossians 1:8-10 (Amplified). This prayer is valid for the entire Church and is for every individual member to pray and receive in their own lives. Thus Verses 8-10 say, "Also he has informed us of your love in the (Holy) Spirit. For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make (special) request for you, (asking) that you may be filled with the full (deep, clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom (in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God) and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things-That you may walk (live and conduct yourselves) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God (with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition)."
Each Christian is prayed for and encouraged to seek more of God in their own life. Some seek deeper than others (not to look down on others or rule them), but to "Walk worthy of Him in every good work," like the above Verse 10 says.
Now, we come to the crux of my message. Please listen with your spirit and understanding. Ephesians 4:23-27 (Amplified) says, "Be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude). And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's Image (God like) in True righteousness and holiness; Therefore, rejecting all falsity and being done now with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one body and members one of another." Verses 26-27 go on, "When angry, do not sin, do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no (such) room or foothold for the devil (give no opportunity to him)."
There are many times when, because we have grown into the "garden of the Lord," we think that everything ripens or matures at the same time, but they don't. Just because one person thinks something, doesn't mean that you have to quit growing or seeking for yourself. You shouldn't drop out of church simply because you learn some new thing or have been shown something new.
The devil has been given a foothold or opportunity in the Church to steal from the Body of Christ, when we are angry with or dismissive of anyone who seeks beyond anothers' revelation. For years, we've judged others in the Body of Christ because they celebrate such holidays we believe are pagan as Easter, Christmas, New Years and even July 4th. I also know the Word says to, "Give no place to the devil."
I have no intentions of sitting back and relinquishing Christmas to a fat man or a reindeer. I won't give Easter over to a rabbit who lays chocolate eggs either. I most certainly will never give Halloween over to a pack of demons, ghosts and a lying devil. For those who choose not to observe these days, that's alright. We see the difference in the faith of certain Christians in Romans 14:1gre-6 (Amplified) which says, "As for the man who is a weak believer, welcome him (into your fellowship) but not to criticize his opinions or pass judgment on his scruples or perplex him with discussions. One (man's faith permits him to) believe he may eat anything, while a weaker one (limits his) eating to vegetables." Verses 3-4 say, "Let not him who eats look down on or despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains criticize and pass judgment on him who eats; for God has accepted and welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on and censure one another's household servants? It is before his own master that he stands or falls, and he shall stand and be upheld, for the master (the Lord), is mighty to support him and make him stand." Verses 5-6 go on, "One man esteems one days as better than another, while another man esteems all days alike (sacred); Let everyone be fully convinced (satisfied) in his own mind. He who observes the days, observes it in honor of the Lord, He also eats; eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; While he who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God."
I'm not certain what day Jesus rose from the dead, but I do know this...He did! So, I will take back the day from the rabbit and rededicate it to Jesus. I don't know for certain the exact day Jesus was born, but I know that He was born. Instead of arguing about the day and giving it over to a fat man and his reindeer, I will "give no such room" to the devil and take it back as a birthday part for Christ.
I honor God by observing and holding these days sacred, like someone else honoring God by dismissing and not observing them. We are both "honoring God" in faith. What is the big argument over anyway? I don't believe we are to "roll over" and give "any day" to the devil. I don't need to argue whether we should worship on Friday, Saturday or Sunday because I worship Him every day.
We don't need to allow the devil to bring division into the Church because we differ on ways we honor God. I know Christians who refuse to eat pork or seafood. And, I know other Christians who will eat anything that can't outrun them. I don't think it matters what you eat, if you pray over it and bless it by prayer and thanksgiving. The degree of growth in our faith shouldn't be a degree of separation. We have "majored on minors" and made "mountains out of molehills."
Does it mean that if someone doesn't believe in the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, then I shouldn't speak in tongues anymore? Of course not! If one person doesn't believe in healing, then should I submit to sickness because that's where his faith is at? Of course not! Should this growth or lack thereof, be a reason for separating or dismissing one another from fellowship? No!
If you quit school at 16 years of age, then does that mean everyone else should too? Does education stop at sixteen? Some students finish high school and go onto business school or to medical school and other avenues of higher learning. One could live on this planet for 10 million years and still be learning about God. We've decided that we have God all figured out and that anyone who doesn't think that way, is wrong. This is not so. We are all in faith with Jesus, but not everyone reaches out in faith for more in Him. Let the Holy Spirit lead you into maturity and love the brethren like the Lord instructed.
This Sunday is Easter Sunday and I'm worshipping God like I always do. I am going to thank Him for my salvation and my deliverance. I'm going to glorify Him for the resurrection of Jesus and my own resurrection in Him. We will put out flowers like we do every Sunday, we will sing songs of praise like we do every Sunday and we will let the devil know that this isn't a day for rabbits, just like we do every Sunday.
If you are one who refrains from esteeming this day, then honor God in your faith and still worship with me, even though this may not have been the day God raised Him from the dead. We still honor Him because HE HAS RISEN!!!
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