The physical universe is basically composed of matter, energy, space and time. The ancient Israelites practiced ritual worship based upon these 4 things. The matter was whatever items composed of matter that were used in the rituals, things like food, animals, tithes and sacrifices. Their time and energy was used constantly in the rituals. The space or place to perform the rituals was holy. What we see from all of this is a worship system that was totally physical repeated year after year. We should also know that this shadow type of worship is unacceptable to God. John 4:24 states the worship of God must be IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUTH. Spirit is not physical, mechanical or formalistic. It is from Our human spirit to Gods spirit with no physical thing involved. John 4:23 True worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father seeks such as these to worship Him. Would it be correct then for us to invent practices that are clearly physical and try to worship God with them? There are indeed things people do that do just this thing. They borrow things from paganism and attempt to Christianize them by bringing God and Christ into them. God forbids this kind of practice in Deuteronomy 12:30. Jesus warned about adding traditions of men to the word of God. Christians should not practice the ways of the world for any reason. Keeping of physical days to worship God is incorrect thinking as scripture teaches. We must examine ourselves to see if we are worshipping God in the way Jesus instructed.
General Keeping of Days
- Thread starter LeeB
- Start date
We are approaching the holiday season. Christmas is the most kept and revered holiday of the year. It does not matter that it is not the day Christ was born or even the season. It does not matter that there is no command to observe the birth of Jesus but the is one to observe his death. It does not matter that it was formerly kept in paganism as the Saturnalia. The focus is gifts to people rather than Christ. The things like trees, mistletoe, Santa are totally non biblical. People say we should put Christ back in Christmas, how, when he was never in it. Jesus is not the reason for the season. I am aware that this may offend some but that is the nature of the truth, it will either offend you or set you free. False churchianity has other days it keeps that are equally non Christian. If you study what scripture has to say about keeping days you will discover that the Pentecost church did not keep any days. Ancient Israel kept days, months, seasons and years just like the false churches do, if this did not go well for Israel why would anyone think it would for the church. You who were formerly JW’s or WCG knew this and it is one of a few things they had that is correct. Yet both still keep other days so in reality they have learned nothing. Each one must be full convinced in their own mind, let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.
In my little spot within my family, it is still an opportunity to speak of Jesus today.
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Phil 1:15-18
Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. Phil 1:15-18
Paul differentiates here from the motives of the two methods of preaching, which one seems to be the better. Pretense or truth both speak about Christ but love and truth is seperated from pretense. Selfish ambition, not sincerely, without love. Continue reading Philippians 1:27-30 . Is Paul condoning the preaching of lies or is he just happy that the name of Jesus is spoken ?
My brother, I think that we can understand that we always want the truth - and that is why we are here. However, as Paul said that "whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed." Any reason that I can find an ear to hear is a good one. While this world around me promotes this season, I know that it creates opportunities to call attention to the main character - the Messiah. I can't stop people from this corruption, but I can interrupt their event with whatever time they will give me to speak.
You cannot use something that is wrong to support something that is right. The common thread is Philippians 1:15,16,17,18 is not speaking of a false Christ being preached, if this were the case then how do we explain, 2 Corinthians 11:4 , Paul would never support the preaching of a false Christ. This was a case of the method used in preaching Christ, not Christ himself. Ephesians 5:6 2 Corinthians 6:15 The worlds idea of GOD , Christ and the Holy Spirit we know to be a lie. No lie is of the truth. 2 John 1:7,8,9,10,11 1 Timothy 6:3,4,5
While I can't think that you are against explaining the error that Trinitarians and New Age churches hold, your response would seem to say just that. While I refer to grabbing the chance to provide truth to someone who is willing to hear it, it seems that you are against my doing that. Can you ensure that I do understand what you are saying, please?
The main message of scripture concerning keeping of days also is part of the strong bearing the weak. Romans 14:1 It is the weak who regards a day, the strong consider all days alike. In time the weak grows stronger and GOD will make him stand. Romans 14:4 I do not think less of a brother that has yet to learn things that I already know. I have compassion because I was once weak too. I am confident that GOD will open the minds of the babe In Christ to see and understand the truth on all matters of the faith.
I have made the mistake of telling people about the pagan days that are kept in false Christianity. In every case I have been viciously treated by those who defend their traditions. I have learned the hard way to keep silent and follow the advice of Jesus. Matthew 7:6 1 Corinthians 2:14 I can’t presume to know who GOD will call and choose, that’s GODS business. Proverbs 21:23 Colossians 4:6
In a forum like this where people are searching I think it appropriate but to go out into the world or to friends and family is where trouble comes. I have made this mistake. Usually people never bring up the subject and I will not either. This is being wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove. We are not called and chosen to preach the gospel to the world but to grow in the grace and knowledge of it. If the spirit of GOD is our teacher how then can we think that we could teach those who have not the spirit ?
As far as standing on a street corner yelling at car fenders, agreed. But my original intent had to do with a time when the name of Jesus is on the minds of people and part of conversations. I do not evangelize, but I do stand ready to discuss. In order to have saints with the Spirit of God, something must initially lead them to question the topic of Yahweh and His Son. If God uses me in that effort, I'm ready. I do not initiate any argument to change the beliefs of those who are not interested in knowing more than they have already accepted as their "truth." Well, not any more, anyway.
Yes, this is what I was trying to say. Here on this forum it is different, it is not the world, it’s people searching, asking, seeking, knocking. In this situation I don’t wait for questions, I post articles about various subjects to see if I get a response. Usually I do not get many. Every article I post is backed up with scripture to prove the intent of the article. If GOD desires to use these things to open a mind then OK, if not OK.
This discussion has strayed away from the original article, The Keeping of Days, that in it I had hoped to show that physical things like days cannot be used in the worship of YAHWEH. All days are indeed alike, they are all holy to the saints, GOD is present in us in all our days. There is no special place to worship as where can the saints go that GOD is not there ? There is no more human ministry to deceive the saints. Temples, rituals, circumcision, days, months, seasons and years are all physical. They are the shadows of ancient Israel’s ritual worship system.
I keep no days at all as I worship GOD in spirit, my human spirit connected to HIS HOLY SPIRIT through the mediator Christ. This is the type of worship that GOD desires. John 4:23 If people can understand this it is only a beginning. This is the call to come out from among them and be separate, touch not these unclean things and GOD will receive them. They must then answer this call to be chosen. From that moment on it will be joy inexpressible.
This discussion has strayed away from the original article, The Keeping of Days, that in it I had hoped to show that physical things like days cannot be used in the worship of YAHWEH. All days are indeed alike, they are all holy to the saints, GOD is present in us in all our days. There is no special place to worship as where can the saints go that GOD is not there ? There is no more human ministry to deceive the saints. Temples, rituals, circumcision, days, months, seasons and years are all physical. They are the shadows of ancient Israel’s ritual worship system.
I keep no days at all as I worship GOD in spirit, my human spirit connected to HIS HOLY SPIRIT through the mediator Christ. This is the type of worship that GOD desires. John 4:23 If people can understand this it is only a beginning. This is the call to come out from among them and be separate, touch not these unclean things and GOD will receive them. They must then answer this call to be chosen. From that moment on it will be joy inexpressible.
Much different from being a once-a-week or twice-a-week follower who doesn't follow. Totally different from a checklist Christian working diligently hoping to being seen as "good." The difficulty lies in knowing that total surrender is the only way. Dying to ourselves takes conscious effort after a life of worldly pursuits. We don't do it alone - we need community. Finding community is something I pray for.
Yes, having fellowship with people of like minds is a wonderful thing.
Hebrews 11:32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40 These verses from the faith chapter have alway inspired me . These preChrist Christians faced horrible things usually alone. They had the same faith as we have but unlike them we will not be treated anywhere near as badly as they were. Both we and they will be made perfect together when Christ returns.
Hebrews 11:32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40 These verses from the faith chapter have alway inspired me . These preChrist Christians faced horrible things usually alone. They had the same faith as we have but unlike them we will not be treated anywhere near as badly as they were. Both we and they will be made perfect together when Christ returns.