Not Fitting In
Over the last several years I have started to notice how I do not
seem to fit in when it comes to churches. The church is
either too legalistic and dogmatic or they are toll liberal and
loose with their doctrine and eccleciastical associations.
Let me first state that I am an Independent Fundamental Bible Believing Baptist. I believe that the Independent Baptist are the closest to what the Bible teaches with their doctrine. Where I find that I do not fit in with them is on the area of dress standards. My wife wears pants occasionaly and I wear shorts sometimes when the weather is warmer during the summer. This puts me at odds with most Independent Baptists and most probably would break fellowship with me over this issue. The Lord has never convicted me about this issue of pants and shorts. If a person were to look at my doctrinal statement they would find that it is very stong. I WILL NOT COMPROMISE ON DOCTRINE! However, because I do not have the same convictions as other Independent Baptists about the issue of dress, I am seen as a compromiser.
That brings me to other churches who do make as big an issue over the dress, like elevating it to the point of doctrine. The problem with these churches is that most all of the ones I know of are very loose and liberal with their doctrine and their associations with other churches. I like where they stand on issues that are a matter of personal conviction but I have a problem with their stand on doctrinal matters.
I honestly feel like I do not fit in anywhere. Most Independent Baptists will write me off as liberal compromiser with no standards. Then there is the opposite side that will see me as to dogmatic because I take a stand on dcotrine and refuse to compromise over it.
I am sure that there will be some of my Independent Baptist "Brethren" who will write me off after reading this. If they do that is fine, it wouldn't be the first time and I am sure it will not be the last time either. I am starting to think that it would be better for our family to just start a church, one that is strong on doctrine, but doesn't elevate personal convictions to the level of doctrine.
The older I get the more apparent it becomes that not only do I not fit in with the world, it seems that I do not fit in with "The Brethren" either. It is kind of a lonely place to be.
Let me first state that I am an Independent Fundamental Bible Believing Baptist. I believe that the Independent Baptist are the closest to what the Bible teaches with their doctrine. Where I find that I do not fit in with them is on the area of dress standards. My wife wears pants occasionaly and I wear shorts sometimes when the weather is warmer during the summer. This puts me at odds with most Independent Baptists and most probably would break fellowship with me over this issue. The Lord has never convicted me about this issue of pants and shorts. If a person were to look at my doctrinal statement they would find that it is very stong. I WILL NOT COMPROMISE ON DOCTRINE! However, because I do not have the same convictions as other Independent Baptists about the issue of dress, I am seen as a compromiser.
That brings me to other churches who do make as big an issue over the dress, like elevating it to the point of doctrine. The problem with these churches is that most all of the ones I know of are very loose and liberal with their doctrine and their associations with other churches. I like where they stand on issues that are a matter of personal conviction but I have a problem with their stand on doctrinal matters.
I honestly feel like I do not fit in anywhere. Most Independent Baptists will write me off as liberal compromiser with no standards. Then there is the opposite side that will see me as to dogmatic because I take a stand on dcotrine and refuse to compromise over it.
I am sure that there will be some of my Independent Baptist "Brethren" who will write me off after reading this. If they do that is fine, it wouldn't be the first time and I am sure it will not be the last time either. I am starting to think that it would be better for our family to just start a church, one that is strong on doctrine, but doesn't elevate personal convictions to the level of doctrine.
The older I get the more apparent it becomes that not only do I not fit in with the world, it seems that I do not fit in with "The Brethren" either. It is kind of a lonely place to be.
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