The Addiction that is Costing Christians their Freedom? {Control}

[brakelite]

I am having a problem with this term being used...'control'. Yes, certain churches do indeed 'control' their members, even using the reason for doing so, 'to keep order'.

If this however was of God, then we must assume that for the sake of consistency God also 'controls' His people 'to keep order'. But is that true? Is that what God really does in His dealings with man? In particular His dealing with His children? Certainly, God is a sovereign Lord over the nations, and through various rulers, kings etc raises up and pulls down nations according to His will, all in the thrust of establishing His righteousness and kingdom among His people. And sure, God has a standard by which He desires His children to live up to. Not in their own strength of course, but through faith in His power, the Holy Spirit,  living in them. But to intimate that the kind of  'control' herein mentioned is control for the sake of its own end, grossly misapprehends the character God and His purposes with man. God treats us in such a way that we are led to a point where we recognize our deficiencies, recognize the evil nature of that to which we are tending, and in the light granted us of God's love and mercy, freely seek a better course, a greater piety, a more holy lifestyle , a more consecrated character. We do this by emptying ourselves of self and ego, and allowing the Spirit of God to fill the vacancy thus left. This is not accomplished through control, but through love. Control suggests force...compulsion. These are traits that do not belong to the ways God deals with His children. He desires we love and respond to Him freely, in response to the love, grace, and mercy which He has bestowed upon us. In our surrender to Him is encapsulated our worship of and our love for our heavenly Father, and His Son.

If we as church leaders seek to 'control' our members through force and compulsion, by demanding our members live up to certain set standards and regulations under threat of expulsion and other forms of discipline, we are setting ourselves up as rivals to God...it is not our work to set the standard...it is our work to reveal the standard as revealed in the righteousness of Christ...the love of the Father...and lead people to a relationship with Him that He may lift them up according to His wisdom and power and love. Of course, gross disruption and ill discipline in the church cannot be condoned or tolerated, but that applies to any club, society, business or government on the planet. Accepted norms of behavior are and must be expected. But the Word, and only the Word, can be exalted as the benchmark for Who, how, and when we are to worship.

@GoldenEagle I agree with you that there is a contradiction and inconsistency in allowing personal judgement to rule in the case of meat offered to idols and the eating of blood etc (who among you enjoy rare steak) and the equally personal liberty taken when considering the Sabbath.

[GoldenEagle]

10 hours ago, brakelite said:

I am having a problem with this term being used...'control'. Yes, certain churches do indeed 'control' their members, even using the reason for doing so, 'to keep order'.

If this however was of God, then we must assume that for the sake of consistency God also 'controls' His people 'to keep order'. But is that true? Is that what God really does in His dealings with man? In particular His dealing with His children? Certainly, God is a sovereign Lord over the nations, and through various rulers, kings etc raises up and pulls down nations according to His will, all in the thrust of establishing His righteousness and kingdom among His people. And sure, God has a standard by which He desires His children to live up to. Not in their own strength of course, but through faith in His power, the Holy Spirit,  living in them. But to intimate that the kind of  'control' herein mentioned is control for the sake of its own end, grossly misapprehends the character God and His purposes with man. God treats us in such a way that we are led to a point where we recognize our deficiencies, recognize the evil nature of that to which we are tending, and in the light granted us of God's love and mercy, freely seek a better course, a greater piety, a more holy lifestyle , a more consecrated character. We do this by emptying ourselves of self and ego, and allowing the Spirit of God to fill the vacancy thus left. This is not accomplished through control, but through love. Control suggests force...compulsion. These are traits that do not belong to the ways God deals with His children. He desires we love and respond to Him freely, in response to the love, grace, and mercy which He has bestowed upon us. In our surrender to Him is encapsulated our worship of and our love for our heavenly Father, and His Son.

If we as church leaders seek to 'control' our members through force and compulsion, by demanding our members live up to certain set standards and regulations under threat of expulsion and other forms of discipline, we are setting ourselves up as rivals to God...it is not our work to set the standard...it is our work to reveal the standard as revealed in the righteousness of Christ...the love of the Father...and lead people to a relationship with Him that He may lift them up according to His wisdom and power and love. Of course, gross disruption and ill discipline in the church cannot be condoned or tolerated, but that applies to any club, society, business or government on the planet. Accepted norms of behavior are and must be expected. But the Word, and only the Word, can be exalted as the benchmark for Who, how, and when we are to worship.

@GoldenEagle I agree with you that there is a contradiction and inconsistency in allowing personal judgement to rule in the case of meat offered to idols and the eating of blood etc (who among you enjoy rare steak) and the equally personal liberty taken when considering the Sabbath.

@brakelite I don't think I could've said it better if I tried. I wonder how @Butero would respond?

God bless,
GE