I get constant questions in my inbox regarding my church standards and my personal convictions.
What is a church standard? A rule set by the pastor and/or organization. In the Apostolic church these standards are set because of separation. We believe in separation from the world. Standards are to HELP us stay saved. To help keep us from falling.
Standards can vary in their conservative nature based on the pastor. We have an umbrella but each pastor has "house rules." For example due to the problem with perversion in San Francisco, a pastor in the area does not allow sleep overs with the young people. Why? To prevent issues, to prevent temptation in that realm to the best of His ability.
One major example here is ladies not cutting, trimming their hair. This is biblical and this is a standard of our churches.
What is the difference between a church standard and personal convictions?
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12) A personal conviction is when God deals with you about something that goes beyond a standard.. When He personally convicts you about something that you are doing or not doing that needs to be changed. You should never put your personal convictions on anyone else. It is personal between you and God. It is a display of you working out your own salvation.
One example could be, your pastor sets the standard of skirt length below the knee and you feel convicted to wear them longer.
Differences...
Outside of doctrine, we will not all agree. I may do something, wear something, say something that you feel convicted about. Vice versa.. So it is important to understand, standards vs a personal conviction.
Obedience to the man of God is
Imperative!
So let us aim to be obedient to the standards set by our pastors. Beware of justifying why you are right. The bible tells us: The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things, who can know it? When you have a prayerful man of God, a watchman on the wall who is concerned about your soul, you would be wrong not to heed to what He tells you to do...
Obedience and trust in your pastor is of the utmost importance in this area!
This is biblical. When Saul decided to disregard Samuels command, he was turned over to a reprobate mind. God was in it. It's powerful!
What is the goal?
"...perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (1 Corinthians 7:1)
Modesty doesn't equal holiness
Your skirt length doesn't equal holiness
Your sleeve length doesn't equal holiness
It is the heart. It is the motive. It is the desire to be holy because God is holy. We can do all the right things on the outside but if we are not perfecting holiness, we are missing Gods plan.
(Please note that I am not saying standards are not necessary! I believe in them with all my heart!)
As you draw closer to the Lord He should deal with you to change. If we are to be perfected that means we cannot stay the way we are... I guarantee that if you make holiness your goal, God will amaze you with what He will convict you about.
What are your thoughts?
What is a church standard? A rule set by the pastor and/or organization. In the Apostolic church these standards are set because of separation. We believe in separation from the world. Standards are to HELP us stay saved. To help keep us from falling.
Standards can vary in their conservative nature based on the pastor. We have an umbrella but each pastor has "house rules." For example due to the problem with perversion in San Francisco, a pastor in the area does not allow sleep overs with the young people. Why? To prevent issues, to prevent temptation in that realm to the best of His ability.
One major example here is ladies not cutting, trimming their hair. This is biblical and this is a standard of our churches.
What is the difference between a church standard and personal convictions?
"...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil 2:12) A personal conviction is when God deals with you about something that goes beyond a standard.. When He personally convicts you about something that you are doing or not doing that needs to be changed. You should never put your personal convictions on anyone else. It is personal between you and God. It is a display of you working out your own salvation.
One example could be, your pastor sets the standard of skirt length below the knee and you feel convicted to wear them longer.
Differences...
Outside of doctrine, we will not all agree. I may do something, wear something, say something that you feel convicted about. Vice versa.. So it is important to understand, standards vs a personal conviction.
Obedience to the man of God is
Imperative!
So let us aim to be obedient to the standards set by our pastors. Beware of justifying why you are right. The bible tells us: The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked above all things, who can know it? When you have a prayerful man of God, a watchman on the wall who is concerned about your soul, you would be wrong not to heed to what He tells you to do...
Obedience and trust in your pastor is of the utmost importance in this area!
This is biblical. When Saul decided to disregard Samuels command, he was turned over to a reprobate mind. God was in it. It's powerful!
What is the goal?
"...perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (1 Corinthians 7:1)
Modesty doesn't equal holiness
Your skirt length doesn't equal holiness
Your sleeve length doesn't equal holiness
It is the heart. It is the motive. It is the desire to be holy because God is holy. We can do all the right things on the outside but if we are not perfecting holiness, we are missing Gods plan.
(Please note that I am not saying standards are not necessary! I believe in them with all my heart!)
As you draw closer to the Lord He should deal with you to change. If we are to be perfected that means we cannot stay the way we are... I guarantee that if you make holiness your goal, God will amaze you with what He will convict you about.
What are your thoughts?
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