Post by Kevin on Mar 23, 2020 9:58:19 GMT -7
Misconception:
Christianity is all about religious rituals
There may be some rituals and rites involved in church, and these can be good things, if each one is derived from the Bible. However, if a church is so structured or so focused on rituals that the Holy Spirit is not able to break through to the hearts of the people, then the message of Jesus’ cross is being compromised. I am grieved that some churches have replaced an intimate and profound relationship with Christ, with a futile but functional relationship with the church by taking part in rituals. The reality is that God is not interested in rites and rituals. He created us in his likeness because God wants to have a relationship with us! (Genesis 1:26)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Mothers will agree with me that you have chosen to give birth to our children not because you need to do it as part of a “ritual” or a responsibility of being a wife. As mothers you underwent the physical pain and sacrifices because you desire to have a close relationship with our children!
In the same way, God delights to have a relationship with us. He longs to engage with us and spend time with us. He loves to reveal himself to us, if only we will seek him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). He passionately wants us to know and experience his goodness and faithfulness because he has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
He does want us in church to satisfy an attendance requirement or to please the elders of the church. God wants us in church so that we can seek and worship him with other believers. He wants to reveal himself to us, show us the right path and get closer to us. He wants us to be surrounded by other believers, so that we can encourage one another through the different seasons of lives. He knows that we are stronger together as a church than we are alone. He wants us in church because he loves and cares for us!
Yes, it is imperative for us to pray and read the Bible regularly. But we pray, not to recite lengthy liturgies to fulfil a tradition or ritual passed from one generation to another, but because it is our best way to converse with Jesus intimately. It is to acknowledge that he is in control of our lives. Jesus even warned us against “vain repetitions” in prayer (Matthew 6:7). Many rituals held in churches are nothing more than that. Repetitive prayers, creeds or songs do not allow free expression of one’s heart, mind and soul before God (Matthew 22:37-38).
Whatever routine, ceremony or ritual removes your focus from having a genuine and passionate relationship with Christ is wrong.
#misconception
Christianity is all about religious rituals
There may be some rituals and rites involved in church, and these can be good things, if each one is derived from the Bible. However, if a church is so structured or so focused on rituals that the Holy Spirit is not able to break through to the hearts of the people, then the message of Jesus’ cross is being compromised. I am grieved that some churches have replaced an intimate and profound relationship with Christ, with a futile but functional relationship with the church by taking part in rituals. The reality is that God is not interested in rites and rituals. He created us in his likeness because God wants to have a relationship with us! (Genesis 1:26)
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Mothers will agree with me that you have chosen to give birth to our children not because you need to do it as part of a “ritual” or a responsibility of being a wife. As mothers you underwent the physical pain and sacrifices because you desire to have a close relationship with our children!
In the same way, God delights to have a relationship with us. He longs to engage with us and spend time with us. He loves to reveal himself to us, if only we will seek him with all our hearts (Jeremiah 29:13). He passionately wants us to know and experience his goodness and faithfulness because he has great plans for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
He does want us in church to satisfy an attendance requirement or to please the elders of the church. God wants us in church so that we can seek and worship him with other believers. He wants to reveal himself to us, show us the right path and get closer to us. He wants us to be surrounded by other believers, so that we can encourage one another through the different seasons of lives. He knows that we are stronger together as a church than we are alone. He wants us in church because he loves and cares for us!
Yes, it is imperative for us to pray and read the Bible regularly. But we pray, not to recite lengthy liturgies to fulfil a tradition or ritual passed from one generation to another, but because it is our best way to converse with Jesus intimately. It is to acknowledge that he is in control of our lives. Jesus even warned us against “vain repetitions” in prayer (Matthew 6:7). Many rituals held in churches are nothing more than that. Repetitive prayers, creeds or songs do not allow free expression of one’s heart, mind and soul before God (Matthew 22:37-38).
Whatever routine, ceremony or ritual removes your focus from having a genuine and passionate relationship with Christ is wrong.
#misconception