By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Something that a lot of people coming out of the denominational world into the church have to deal with are the emotional feelings that they are losing things like so-called religious holidays and doing things they have done for so long such as musical accompaniment in worship and also other things they have been taught over the years.
One thing that really gets in the way sometimes is having to stop doing all the things our liberal friends like to do that are not authorized by the scriptures. I have been told more than once by people how I stole their Christmas and Easter and instruments and even their fellowship with others. They say there is so much we can't do now. They feel a real loss because for the first time they are learning that the church is a place for spiritual instruction not social instruction.
It is especially hard for those who are surrounded by churches who have gone off into apostasy and have adopted the social gospel.
For far to long things have been being done in the name of good works with out scriptural authority to back them. When a person is coming out of the world they feel like they are giving up so much when in reality they are all they are losing is false doctrine of men designed by Satan himself to play upon human emotion.
Satan uses emotions to override the understanding. People swayed by their emotions instead of the truth will be stirred to the point of ignoring the truth for a "better felt than told" feeling.
No one should allow the emotions to rule the reason, instead it should be the other way around. How many times have you heard someone say, "I feel this is true," instead of, "I think this is true"? Our feelings are not given to supplant reason. Our feelings are designed to cooperate with what the mind already understands to be right. To let your feelings guide you to what is right is to ask emotions to do something which is simply not within them to do. The Scriptures do not say, "what you love is right." They say "love what is right."
We MUST remember the things of this world are but temporary that our eyes and heart must be set on the straight and narrow path that leads to a home in heaven. We must learn to be content as Paul was in any situation we find ourselves. Php_4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1Ti_6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Heb_13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
The knowledge that we are serving God in the manner He prescribes should be enough for us to overcome any feeling of loss in the emotional sense. We need to focus on what we can do to go our and bring others to the knowledge of the life saving grace found in Christ and his sacrifice for our souls. If we focus on this we build a true treasure in heaven where moth and rust do not corrupt.
Mat 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
Mat 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
Mat 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Mat 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Take care of the things of today for there may not be a tomorrow and you can not change yesterday. Always look at the many blessings you have already. Most of all my friends remember the words of James…… Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
Jas 1:3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
