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But Thomas, called Didymus, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. -- John 20:24
As we consider the subject of Sunday morning worship and church growth, we must get rid of our modern-day ideas, and put ourselves in the time period of the early church. I have tried to focus on the early New Testament church and the truth of Scripture. But some people are saying, "Lyn Stimeling is writing divisive articles; he is even against regular church attendance. Nothing could be further from the truth."
I am writing against unscriptural man-made legalism in the church. If you are a student of the Word, you know that Christ spoke against legalism and warned the people of His day about it. In Matthew 23:4, Jesus said this about the religious leaders of His day. "For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers."
Is there a better way for us to approach the subject of church attendance and man-made rules in the local church? Yes, there is a much better way, it is called the "way of grace." Legalism affects people from the outside, grace changes people from the inside. John 16:13 says, "However, when He, the spirit of truth has come, He will guide you into all truth."
The way of grace is simply teaching the truth of Scripture, and asking God to apply that to the hearts and minds of individuals. Hebrews 4:12 says, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword." You see, when God causes someone to be born again from above (regeneration), He also gives them faith to believe and puts His love in their heart.
John 3:10 says, "Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." First John 4:7 says, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God." John 3:14 says, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren." This concept of faith and love should be taught by every pastor.
Daniel Stegeman says this about the role of a pastor, "Our job is to faithfully deliver the Gospel and never entertain the thought of tinkering with the message." In I Peter 5:2, he (Peter) admonishes the overseers (pastors), "Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by constraint but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being Lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
How should pastors be examples to the flock? By being Christlike and pursuing holiness; being conformed to the image of Christ. Legalism (authority demanding obligation) should have no place in the church today. It was rejected by Christ and was condemned by Paul and other writers in the New Testament. God's way is the path of faith and love in freedom. Contact the author at thoughtsonword@gmail.com if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.