It was no less a luminary than the great prophet Jeremiah who described to God's people Israel over 2500 years ago a scene that is portrayed in millions of living rooms across the country:
"Do not learn the way of the Gentiles... the customs of the peoples are
futile; for one cuts a tree from the forest, the work of the hands of the
workman, with the ax. They decorate it with silver and gold; they fasten it
with nails and hammers so that it will not topple... they must be carried,
because they cannot go by themselves... do not be afraid of them [the
trees], for they cannot do evil, nor can they do good." (Jeremiah
10:1-5)
Fact: Modern Christmas trees have nothing to do with the birth of Jesus
Christ.
Fact: Modern Christmas trees have everything to do with the ways of the
heathen.
Fact: The ancient pagans set these trees up for purposes of worship.
But also a Fact: Modern Christmas trees are not set up for worship.
So where does that lead us? To the same place the apostle Paul led the early
Christians. It's a matter for individual believers to decide, based on the
principles of knowledge and of love.
Paul had to deal with the first century practice
of eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols (I Corinthians 8).
The facts of the case are similar. Something originally intended for pagan
worship now being used for personal benefit. Are we not free? There is no such
thing as another god. Yes, demons are behind these false gods, but I personally
have no connection to demons, and that meat simply is added to my body, not my
soul. I know that!
But not everyone in Paul's day knew that. Some truly believed they were
eating at the table of demons. And to see other believers boldly stuffing their
faces would cause them to backslide. Paul says, love demands you not offend
such a brother by your boldness.
Today it's the tree. The tree to which pagans once offered worship. Some
want nothing to do with it! No problem. But you say, I know better. I'm
not worshiping that tree. I like the smell of pine and the beauty of the
ornaments and the coziness of the lights.
Fine. I can relate to that. But I've got this friend. For him, seeing a tree
in my house might be a scandal beyond measure. For his sake, I may have
to leave the tree alone. Don't really need it. My brother's more important.
Something to think about next time around...
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for regular updates on the persecuted church. Check out my books
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Send me a message at bobdiakonos7@gmail.com
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