Points to Ponder in my house

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FITZGEREL@aol.com wrote:
 
> I think that what we need to keep in mind in regard to John Dahl post is the
> orgin of these so called holy days. The subject is not how we as individuals
> view these days, or for that matter what you do in your house. The orgin is
> pagan, and Israel got in trouble repeatedly for adopting the ways of their
> pagan neighbors, so Rome took the same days and gave them Christain names,
> and we lack the perception to know the difference. All we care about is what
> happens in our house, but it might be wise to look or at least wonder how God
> might view these so-called religious holliday's.
> Pastor Fitzgerel

I was one who used to get pretty uptight over people keeping pagan-originated
holidays.  But I noticed something Paul said one day that really changed my 
opinion.

1 Cor 8:4  As concerning therefore the eating of those things 
that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol 
is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
1 Cor 8:5  For though there be that are called gods, whether in 
heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
1 Cor 8:6  But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom 
are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom 
are all things, and we by him.
1 Cor 8:7  Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for 
some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing 
offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
1 Cor 8:8  But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we 
eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

The above explains that Paul beleived there was nothing wrong with eating
meats offered to idols.  He personally did not recognize an idol
as anything more than the physical material from which it was made.
There is no other god besides God.  An idol therefore is nothing.
So, to Paul, eating meats offered to idols would not hurt him
in the least.  But he said not everyone has that awareness
as he did.  And those who do not must not eat meats offered
to idols.  

The same goes to pagan originated holidays.  We know that a pagan
god is nothing.  And easter and christmas is simply a good opportunity
to reach out to sinners and preach Christ.  I disagree with the
thought that the church could bring easter rabbits and so forth into
its service to reach people, but I mean that an easter service
is no more out of order than eating a meat offered to an idol.
If the pagan thought does not interfere with our faith in one God,
then it harms us not.  But if one is easliy offended due to weak faith,
we must not do anything of the sort around THAT person.


-- 
In Christ,
Mike Blume
mfblume@ns.sympatico.ca
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/mfblume/mblume.htm