SEPARATE YOURSELVES
Sometimes we find ourselves part of an organization or movement we no longer agree with. We realize that the goals of this group are not realistic. Or we may discover that their teachings are actually untrue and harmful to people in general.
The best action is to withdraw our support and our loyalty from that group. This is especially right for a Christian who wants to glorify God. We need to be aware of what our church actually teaches, not what is generally accepted by the public, but what the select inner group are teaching and believing.
It does not matter whether our parents and grandparents were loyal members of that group. If we find unwise or untrue teachings being spread, we need to separate ourselves. Other people, especially our relatives, need to know where we stand, what we actually believe.
It is not enough that God knows our heart. We must not lend our support to groups that are promoting error. Yes, maybe their leaders were misled and deceived; but the group cannot be right if the founders were wrong. Even though thousands may be following that group, that does not make it right.
We are responsible to God for our choices. Life and death may be at stake, even our eternal destiny. Would you want your children to follow teachings that are going to lead them away from the truth into a hopeless and confused life?
Consider your political standing and your church affiliation. Your misguided loyalty will never change the convictions of the leaders. Rather, you will be responsible for deceiving the young people who follow after you!
Separation is difficult but it is required. This is even mentioned in Scripture, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. God says, "Come out from among them and be separate (verse 17)."
Separation means we make our stand and convictions public. It might hurt people’s feelings or shock our relatives, but these people need to know what we actually believe. We do not need to become a pest in talking about our decision, but we should make our stand clear.
Today there is so much talk about toleration and globalism that people often won’t admit what they truly believe. Yes, we need to get along with others. But they need to know that we are personally not convinced that certain actions are right, even though we may feel it necessary once to vote for a particular party or occasionally attend a certain church.
It is not necessary that we declare our convictions with a sign in a protest march or that we become a public speaker promoting our beliefs. But our friends and relatives, maybe even our neighbors, need to know where we stand in relation to controversial issues, especially when we are asked about our convictions.
America has always been a land of freedom. But where is the freedom if we are afraid to state what we truly believe?
-- Rosemary Watson
Sometimes we find ourselves part of an organization or movement we no longer agree with. We realize that the goals of this group are not realistic. Or we may discover that their teachings are actually untrue and harmful to people in general.
The best action is to withdraw our support and our loyalty from that group. This is especially right for a Christian who wants to glorify God. We need to be aware of what our church actually teaches, not what is generally accepted by the public, but what the select inner group are teaching and believing.
It does not matter whether our parents and grandparents were loyal members of that group. If we find unwise or untrue teachings being spread, we need to separate ourselves. Other people, especially our relatives, need to know where we stand, what we actually believe.
It is not enough that God knows our heart. We must not lend our support to groups that are promoting error. Yes, maybe their leaders were misled and deceived; but the group cannot be right if the founders were wrong. Even though thousands may be following that group, that does not make it right.
We are responsible to God for our choices. Life and death may be at stake, even our eternal destiny. Would you want your children to follow teachings that are going to lead them away from the truth into a hopeless and confused life?
Consider your political standing and your church affiliation. Your misguided loyalty will never change the convictions of the leaders. Rather, you will be responsible for deceiving the young people who follow after you!
Separation is difficult but it is required. This is even mentioned in Scripture, in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. God says, "Come out from among them and be separate (verse 17)."
Separation means we make our stand and convictions public. It might hurt people’s feelings or shock our relatives, but these people need to know what we actually believe. We do not need to become a pest in talking about our decision, but we should make our stand clear.
Today there is so much talk about toleration and globalism that people often won’t admit what they truly believe. Yes, we need to get along with others. But they need to know that we are personally not convinced that certain actions are right, even though we may feel it necessary once to vote for a particular party or occasionally attend a certain church.
It is not necessary that we declare our convictions with a sign in a protest march or that we become a public speaker promoting our beliefs. But our friends and relatives, maybe even our neighbors, need to know where we stand in relation to controversial issues, especially when we are asked about our convictions.
America has always been a land of freedom. But where is the freedom if we are afraid to state what we truly believe?
-- Rosemary Watson
Labels: personal beliefs
posted by Rosemary @ 12:52 PM
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