The Essence of Biblical Christianity:
I’ve been associated with the Apostolic movement since I was 13 years old (23 years ago). I’ve attended several different Apostolic churches, each having different standards and guidelines. I’ve fellowshipped with many brethren, also each having a different set of standards and guidelines. Each list of standards ranges from being ultra-conservative to liberal. I’ve been rebuked over sleeve length, pant length, hair length, facial hair, watching television, standing against television, having wedding bands, not having wedding bands, blah, blah, blah, blah.
So, I’ve been on a journey to try to discover “my faith”. My life fell apart and my marriage failed about four years ago. I had done all that I knew to do…but it wasn’t enough. Since that time, I’ve been looking for the essence of what I believe. I’ve wrestled with theological issues, various doctrines, various teachings. I’ve wrestled with every clothing standard, hair standard, jewelry standard, media standard, financial standard…but recently I’ve started to discover a few things that are sticking with me. Some of you here have helped me understand these concepts better. And for that I thank you. So here’s where I’m at right now… Here goes…
It’s not about us. We are one Spirit with the Lord, if we have the Holy Ghost. Jesus desires to live out His life out through us. Oneness is more than a Christology; it’s a way of life. We have a oneness with God that mirrors that which Christ had. We are joined with the Father, one in Spirit. That also means… we are one with one another. The Church, with Christ as its head, isn’t an organization, it’s an “organism”. We are each a part of that organism. That organism is called, “the church”. We are to walk in the Spirit to the point wherein Jesus Himself flows our very being. We should feel His feelings, speak His words, and do His deeds. But in the real world, how does the practical application of this look?
Must we keep the entirety of the law?
Must we hold to a list of standards?
Must we keep the Ten Commandments?
Can we eat pork?
What about Christmas trees?
Can women wear pants?
Can women cut their hair?
How is this “life in Christ” lived out?
I began studying about every denomination that I could. I began to even study other religions. That’s when I noticed something. They all have a list of “do’s-and don’ts”, a listing of dress codes, dietary codes, distinction codes as it relates to gender or their own ceremonial purity. That’s when it dawned on me…all these standards really don’t separate Christians from the world. They only make Christianity look like all the other religions. At that point “standards” started feeling “worldly” to me.
But certainly God doesn’t want us living in a moral chaos. So I began to lean towards the Ten Commandments as being my standards. Sure, they seemed reasonable, moral, ethical, logical, etc. But there was still a problem. The reality of the problem was revealed to me on the Sabbath threads. And the more I studied the “law of Christ” the more I began to realize and see something I never quite saw, or maybe fully understood before. Jesus essentially summarized the way we are to live. It’s sweet and simple… here are the commandments of Christ:
Matthew 22:38-40 (KJV)
35Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
36Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
37Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38This is the first and great commandment.
39And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Mark 12:28-31 (KJV)
28And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Luke 10:25-29 (KJV)
25And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
Jesus wanted his followers to embrace only one law, the law of love. This law is fulfilled through having love towards God and towards one another. Love for neighbor, and even enemy. Love. This simple principle should direct our path in all that we do. Instead of asking if there is a law or standard against a given action, why not ask if it exhibits true love, the God kind of love?
I put this into practice the past week. I got up in the morning determined to love. Just love. Every time I met someone, I thought, “I must love this person. REALLY love them.” I guess my demeanor changed a little. Because before I knew it conversations became more friendly, subjects softer, more people smiled, I was praised at work for the exemplary work I was doing.
I believe that I’m starting to realize that all God desires from us is that we love Him, and love others, with all that we are. Merely obeying a set list of standards or laws plucked from the OT will not exhibit love. In fact, the vast majority of laws in the OT can be fulfilled without truly loving a soul. I’m not sure if I’ve ever truly “loved” people. Folks, God just wants us to love.
I just thought I’d share where I’m at in my journey.
God bless!
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