Seriously disgusted with ...

[FalseFreedom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lafon View Post
These word of Paul, written to the 1st Century Christians at Galatia, gives me sufficient Scriptural evidence for refusing to believe in Santa, participate in the ritual of "Christmas," or teach others that its "no big deal" if they choose to do so:

"But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.

I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain."

What better reason does one require for refusing to become involved in Santa Claus, or Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer foolishness? I know of NONE!
I've read that scripture many times, and never thought that it would apply to Christmas, well, because they didn't even have a "Christmas" then. I've always understood that verse to mean the Jewish calendar holidays and celebrations.

But... keeping a day set apart to worship the Lord - separately and distinctly - and not combining it with a host of other holiday traditions, I certainly think would be in keeping with the principle this verse is speaking of.

You have believed this to be assigned to the "Jewish feasts and holydays" however, Lafond has placed this in the proper context. First of all the "jewish feasts" are God's Feasts and Holy days and should never be assigned to the weak and beggarly elements of the world. Second, God's Feasts are more Christian in nature than they were ever Judaistic. Every appointed time (Feast) pointed to the Messiah (Jesus) and therefore Christian Holydays and not weak and beggarly.

Now think of this when you want to practice a worldly holyday and assign the name of God to the practice of it. the same applies to Easter, Halloween, and any other holiday thought up by the vain philosophies of mankind that become the spoils of those that rob you of our Fathers ways and blessings.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by FalseFreedom

You have believed this to be assigned to the "Jewish feasts and holydays" however, Lafond has placed this in the proper context. First of all the "jewish feasts" are God's Feasts and Holy days and should never be assigned to the weak and beggarly elements of the world. Second, God's Feasts are more Christian in nature than they were ever Judaistic. Every appointed time (Feast) pointed to the Messiah (Jesus) and therefore Christian Holydays and not weak and beggarly.

Now think of this when you want to practice a worldly holyday and assign the name of God to the practice of it. the same applies to Easter, Halloween, and any other holiday thought up by the vain philosophies of mankind that become the spoils of those that rob you of our Fathers ways and blessings.

There is no directive, either in the words of Jesus, or in the words of Paul, or any other NT writer on exactly which days of the Lord should be kept, is there? I haven't found them.

What I have found is that no day should be set apart as better or less than another, but that every day should be worthy of giving the Lord our best.

[Lafon]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

There is no directive, either in the words of Jesus, or in the words of Paul, or any other NT writer on exactly which days of the Lord should be kept, is there? I haven't found them.

What I have found is that no day should be set apart as better or less than another, but that every day should be worthy of giving the Lord our best.

Under the dictates of the Law the Sabbath (7th Day) was consecrated as holy unto the Lord ("Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" - Exodus 20:8), for it was symbolic of the 7th day when the LORD God rested "from all his work which he had made" (Genesis 2:2).

However, with the institution of the "New Covenant," and the giving of the Spirit to His saints, we are told that "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing" (see Isaiah 28:11-12).

I am persuaded to believe that it was because of Isaiah's prophetic words that Paul the apostle was prompted to pen the words of Galatians 4:9-11, wherein he questioned why these saints (as well as every saint today) were desirous of returning to the former practice of "observing days," such as the Sabbath, expressing his fear that all of his labor in assisting them to become Christians had been expended in vain should they continue to do so.

Therefore, because of these things, as well as the admonitions contained in Hebrews 4:1-11 regarding the "rest" which God gives to those to whom He has given to possess the Spirit, then, for me, I do not, nor will I ever again, as I did prior to my conversion from the beggarly elements of the world, esteem one day above another, for every day is to be construed as being holy unto the Lord.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Lafon

Therefore, because of these things, as well as the admonitions contained in Hebrews 4:1-11 regarding the "rest" which God gives to those to whom He has given to possess the Spirit, then, for me, I do not, nor will I ever again, as I did prior to my conversion from the beggarly elements of the world, esteem one day above another, for every day is to be construed as being holy unto the Lord.

I do believe what you have said that Christ has become our rest.

However.... when tradition has set aside a "day" to worship the Lord, such as Easter and Christmas, do you think that as Christians, we should not observe those days?

And what about Sabbath or Sunday worship, which believers from both Messianic and Christian camps set aside each day to worship? Are these wrong as well?

So I am just wondering... is going to church on Sunday setting aside a day that could be construed as returning to the "beggarly elements"?

[Esphes45]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

I do believe what you have said that Christ has become our rest.

However.... when tradition has set aside a "day" to worship the Lord, such as Easter and Christmas, do you think that as Christians, we should not observe those days?

And what about Sabbath or Sunday worship, which believers from both Messianic and Christian camps set aside each day to worship? Are these wrong as well?

So I am just wondering... is going to church on Sunday setting aside a day that could be construed as returning to the "beggarly elements"?

I believe you should treat them as any other day. Holy unto the Lord.

This is another one of my pet peeves. You can make whatever day your "get together/fellowship worship day". Out of convenience I like Sunday (morning especially). The apostolic churches I know have weekday services also which end at a un-kid friendly time and if you miss them you are quoted Hebrews 10:25.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by Esphes45

I believe you should treat them as any other day. Holy unto the Lord.

This is another one of my pet peeves. You can make whatever day your "get together/fellowship worship day". Out of convenience I like Sunday (morning especially). The apostolic churches I know have weekday services also which end at a un-kid friendly time and if you miss them you are quoted Hebrews 10:25.

Thanks for sharing your opinion Esphes... I do tend to agree. However when a day is named specifically and celebrated for the birth of our Lord, and yet everything that happens on, about, and around that day falls into complete contradiction to the very reason and values that He came for, do these very traditions like Santa, Christmas Trees, reindeers, snowmen, massive holiday debt, stress, gluttony, and the such like become like a slap in the face to the Lord? That is what I am trying to muddle through.

[thephnxman]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Thanks for sharing your opinion Esphes... I do tend to agree. However when a day is named specifically and celebrated for the birth of our Lord, and yet everything that happens on, about, and around that day falls into complete contradiction to the very reason and values that He came for, do these very traditions like Santa, Christmas Trees, reindeers, snowmen, massive holiday debt, stress, gluttony, and the such like become like a slap in the face to the Lord? That is what I am trying to muddle through.

Try this: stand in front of the mirror and sing: "Happy Birthday to you...". Because the "...word of God that lives
and abides forever..." has been begotten in YOU!

[Reader]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

There is no directive, either in the words of Jesus, or in the words of Paul, or any other NT writer on exactly which days of the Lord should be kept, is there? I haven't found them.

What I have found is that no day should be set apart as better or less than another, but that every day should be worthy of giving the Lord our best.

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

[BrotherEastman]

Originally Posted by Reader

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

Very well said.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by Reader

Romans 14:5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

10But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?

How about everyone allows each person to celebrate or not celebrate without judging them or considering them to be doing something wrong?

While I do not like the commercialism at this time of year, I still celebrate Christmas. I don't bow down to any tree, don't say Santa is real and I don't get pulled into the stores with the madness of the season. I realize Jesus was not born that day, but if I choose to remember his birth on that day, it is my business and nobody else. If I choose to give anyone a gift on that day or receive any gift, it is my business alone. Just as it is on any other day of the year.

Originally Posted by BrotherEastman

Very well said.

Very well said. And Kept also has the right to voice how she feels about it.

After all, and I do have a lovely tree this year - BUT - isn't it strange that we sit around a dead tree and eat candy out of a sock?