Accuser of the Brethren
Twenty-one years ago, we started attending our present day church.
Prior to that, we were going to an "independent, fundamental, Bible believing, soul winning" (translate legalistic) church. We had been going there for two years. There were rules about how you dressed, how to wear your hair, and even, in the event of going to college, the one acceptable place to go.
Having never been in such a church before, it took a while to realize what was really going on. First, the church encouraged things like prayer, Bible study, church attendance, giving, and soul winning. So far, so good, right?
Except that every Sunday, the preacher preached, "You're not right with God if (fill in the blank). And let me tell you, there was absolutely no way you could be right with God. For instance, while there, we had our third child. I started back to church way early, earlier than I should have.
If you've had children, you know there needs to be a time of adjustment. Initially, nothing even resembles order. You never know when they are going to want to eat and just about the time you are ready to walk out the door, you've got to change not only a messy diaper, but a complete outfit.
On one such occasion, we were late. That Sunday, we were told, "If you arrive late for church, you're not right with God."
The Bible says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren, not the pastor. Somebody was mixed up.
Prior to that, we were going to an "independent, fundamental, Bible believing, soul winning" (translate legalistic) church. We had been going there for two years. There were rules about how you dressed, how to wear your hair, and even, in the event of going to college, the one acceptable place to go.
Having never been in such a church before, it took a while to realize what was really going on. First, the church encouraged things like prayer, Bible study, church attendance, giving, and soul winning. So far, so good, right?
Except that every Sunday, the preacher preached, "You're not right with God if (fill in the blank). And let me tell you, there was absolutely no way you could be right with God. For instance, while there, we had our third child. I started back to church way early, earlier than I should have.
If you've had children, you know there needs to be a time of adjustment. Initially, nothing even resembles order. You never know when they are going to want to eat and just about the time you are ready to walk out the door, you've got to change not only a messy diaper, but a complete outfit.
On one such occasion, we were late. That Sunday, we were told, "If you arrive late for church, you're not right with God."
The Bible says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren, not the pastor. Somebody was mixed up.
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