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In small towns, there is often a melting pot of different ideas about church doctrine. What happens, at least in my church, is we get people with the same essential doctrine but very different non-essential doctrine.  This can lead to some very interesting arguments.  When you have preterist and premillennialist people in the same church, they tend to forget about what really matters, serving Christ and doing it with peace and joy. (Romans 14:7-8).   

I have seen people who have very different views on how one should dress.  Most of the congregation dresses in very modern attire and others wear only dresses and head coverings.  I am not talking about the provocative dressers; I believe scripture is clear on that. (1 Timothy 2:9).  What I am talking about is very modern clothing with pants and a blouse. We see in Deuteronomy 22:5, that woman should not wear men’s attire, but I feel modern attire is very appropriate as long as it is modest.  The problem we see is how we interpret scripture.  I am guilty of looking at somebody that dresses different than me and, in a way, judging him or her because they do not look at scripture the same way that I do.  I am guilty of looking at myself as strong and them as weak.   

I would even venture to say they look on at me in the same matter. As a Christian, we have an obligation to look at both sides of the argument and see somebody else’s side of things.  This is very much a secondary issue, and each should do what their conscience allows them to in these situations. We should also be more understanding of the other parties’ point of view.  

I really see Chapter 14 laid out in how my church looks at Easter (Resurrection Sunday) and Christmas.  I have a few brothers in Christ who’s love for the Lord doesn’t allow them to celebrate some of the holidays that I have come to love.  They see them only in their pagan roots. They are adamant that their families will never celebrate these holidays.  I understand where they are coming from, but I also look at the holidays as a blessing.  I see the day not as a pagan holiday, but a rival to the pagan holiday.  It is designed to celebrate our Lord and Savior.  I am a firm believer anytime that we can get people in church to hear the word of God; it is a very good thing.  If we take that time to celebrate our Savior’s birth, and more importantly his death and resurrection, we are heading in the right direction.  I also love spending time with family, and I wonder how much time people would spend with family if we didn’t have these holidays to celebrate?   

Although these holidays have become commercialized in today’s modern, materialistic world, my family has tried to keep Christ at the forefront.  I believe that as long as Christ is the focus, my conscience is free to celebrate.  I believe we have an opportunity to spread the gospel and we should take advantage of every occasion we have to share Christ’s love.