The world and its objects is evolving but some things should never evolve at its core & one of such is Christianity & everything it embodies.
We could take in better ways of living the Christian life but let’s be reminded ‘better’ shouldn’t mean different. Given that, the essence of biblical doctrines shouldn’t be tampered with.
As one who is grooming herself so the Scriptures can have the absolute say over her life, I find myself often asking questions about narratives, trends, on social media and generally, here are things that have continually seeped in and like a cancerous growth is eating into the fabrics of faith following unchecked acceptance by you & I.
1)Infallible Celebrity culture:
This culture refuses to hold supposed ‘models’ in the faith to a biblical standard God wants every Christian to be held.
Not only that, they are now held as a standard regardless of when their living flouts scriptural doctrines.
A “Christian celebrity” marries a Moslem and it suddenly becomes a cool thing.
A “Christian celebrity” wears something unbecoming and we say we do not have the autonomy to correct that so others can learn?
When error is not reproved at any level, it becomes a normalized culture & truth in no time will then seem critical or judgemental.
Gloria Awolehin
Please, don’t modify your message to correct an error because a politician or a ‘celebrity’ unexpectedly is in your immediate space.
Luke 6:26 MSG
“There’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.
You might want to see this THOUGHTS ABOUT CHRISTIAN LIVING.
2)Prosperity Culture:
The prosperity gospel which came in the early 2000s was to counter the narrative of poverty being a necessary signature in Christianity but unfortunately we’ve drifted to another extreme.
I like that the Bible incorporates the story of poor Lazarus and the rich man to remind us that physical prosperity or poverty isn’t always a proof of being in the Kingdom-poverty too anyway.
There are a number of prosperous(by worldly standards) people who are not Christians or saved so what do we say about that?
If Jesus’ blood only came to give what dedicating time to financial advisers can give, then what makes it unparalleled?
Does this means we shouldn’t venture into profitable businesses, invest or have a job that provides financial ability? No!
It just rather means there shouldn’t be a change in order-we shouldn’t put the cart before the horse so our souls doesn’t become ensnared.
Matthew 6:33
But seek ([a]aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness ([b]His way of doing and being right), and then all these things [c]taken together will be given you besides.
The goal of the gospel isn’t wealth creation
The goal isn’t to build Kingdom financiers
The goal is for the souls of men.
3)Lack Of Discipleship:
We want to get people involved so quickly that we jump over the essentials.
A newly saved is appointed to lead a Church in no time- no learning curve to learn the doctrines of Christ or to grow in character.
While I was in medical school, someone once lamented about how we’re so strict in Church just because someone who had been instructed to sign up for discipleship class for a while left for another Church and started teaching Bible study almost immediately.
Galatians 4:1,2 AMPC
Now what I mean is that as long as the inheritor (heir) is a child and under age, he does not differ from a slave, although he is the master of all the estate; But he is under guardians and administrators or trustees until the date fixed by his father.
While it is true that responsibility is a way of grooming to growth, it must not be done hastily.
Gloria Awolehin
Jesus prepared himself for 30 years before launching into ministry.
For the new convert, your ability to patiently wait & go through the process is a witness to the workings of the Spirit in you.
So, go through it with grace and be sure to savor all of the lessons so you can be properly built for the work of the ministry.
Churches should also set priorities right. Discipleship is central to biblical themes. Focus on discipleship over leadership. Focus on discipleship over influence.
You might want to see this BUT FOR HIS GRACE
4)Emotional doctrines:
This is a dangerous corner I was also almost pitching my tent following an experience I had three years ago & I can see the same pervading the spiritual atmosphere.
Here’s a picture of what it looks like:
Emotional doctrines doesn’t make sin & its repercussions grievous.
Emotional doctrines talk only about the good news with little or no emphasis on the bad news-man’s depravity.
Emotional doctrines focus and stretch on God’s loving kindness and not His severity.
Emotional doctrines frown at rebuke or correction.
Emotional doctrines focus largely on Christ(The Gospels) and his teachings and sieves out instructions or warnings from the Apologetics.
This is subtle error which every believer must learn to identify and run from.
Matthew 11:28-30 AMPC
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will [a]ease and relieve and [b]refresh [c]your souls.]29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest ([d]relief and ease and refreshment and [e]recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, [f]good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne. Read full chapter
We must be reminded there’s a yoke but we’re assured it’s easy and light.
Peter was rebuked when he operated in the carnal dimension.
Paul wrote open letters of rebuke to the Churches.
“For whom the Lord loves, he chastens…..
While maintaining this spiritual principle, every spiritual leader must not take the turn of ‘truth is bitter’ to be brutal.
The Scriptures was intentional to have placed truth and love side by side because they are not mutually exclusive & can coexist- compassion must be gracefully present.
The doctrines of Christ are first-off spiritual and that means it could temporarily chastise the soul in the end that the spirit is saved.
5)Creating a Christian version of something:
I remember when a colleague asked to be part of the don’t rush challenge in 2020 and I asked to be excused after thinking through it. Later on, was thinking about reaching out to some of my Christian sisters to do the same, but was met with a restraint, so I left it.
Once stumbled on how a Christian community was planning to create a Christian club and it got me thinking about how we’re trying the best to be worldly but with a Christian covering- our eyes still dey outside.
It’s the same premise that has made way for unbecoming appellations like ‘Christian baddie’ and all sort.
Romans 12: 1,2 MSG
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
The Christian life we must know and be reminded has been designed to be atypical, unusual and given that, we must always understand that we ain’t supposed to canvass to be known, accepted or clapped for by the world.
Christianity comes with the responsibility of consecration, self-denial and separation from the world which is without a bargain.
I hope I’m reminded of all these as often as I forget & I hope never to sell these truths for worldly acceptance as I journey on and that I hope for you too.
Cheers to growing, cheers to loving God, cheers to sharing the good news.
Your sister
Gloria.
