Don't waste your Halloween
"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God..." -1 Cor. 10:31-32
The debate among Christians over whether one should celebrate or observe Halloween seems to be increasing in regularity. There are blog posts, videos, even sermons making the rounds about why a Christian should or should not take part in this day; one cites tradition, another cites other historical accounts, still others simply partake of the festivities without giving it a second thought. The typical argument is one between supposed pagan history versus one of ties to the reformation, remembering past fallen saints in the faith.
There are a few avenues a person can explore as Halloween rolls around every year:
1) Observe it with pagan intentions: use it to worship Satan, dress like the dead or demonic, and let loose.
2) Observe it with reformed intentions: use it to remember the fallen martyrs/Christians who have gone on before us in the faith.
3) Observe it without thought: simply go out there, have fun with your family, dress up, and eat candy.
4) Abstain from any involvement in the holiday.
Whichever option a person chooses, that's his/her prerogative. After all, this is a 'free country.'
But allow me to offer an observation in this discussion: Consider this holiday in light of Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10.
Both of these portions of Scripture deal with what is called 'Christian Liberty.' In each scenario, in a nutshell, both Jewish and Gentile Christians alike were coming into churches with different baggage from their past, as we all do. Jews who were saved by Christ out of their law-keeping and Judaism had trouble shaking Jewish dietary restrictions, special days of observance, etc. Gentiles who were saved out of pagan religious practices also took issue with eating certain items, particularly ones that were synonymous with idolatrous ritual and ceremony, sacrifices, etc. All of this made for an interesting dynamic in local Christian churches. More mature Christians, such as Paul expressed, felt free in Christ from any dietary and ceremonial restrictions, including special holidays. Those who were fairly newer or "weak" Christians, either Jewish or Gentile, struggled with the exercise of these freedoms by their "more mature" brothers and sisters in Christ. 'How could these supposed examples in the faith do such things?' they thought.
God addresses this issue clearly in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. Basically, every believer is free in Christ from restrictions (of course, this obviously excludes sinful practices) , BUT if a more mature believer, one who was not compelled by his/her conscience to stick to certain restrictions, came across a fellow believer who was "weaker" in conscience, the more mature believer was prescribed to abstain from exercising their liberty in the the weaker believer's presence. However, the weaker believer was not to judge and force his/her restrictions on the more mature believers. A "weaker" believer was simply one who still felt compelled by conscience to keep certain restrictions, otherwise they believed they were in sin.
All in all, Christian liberty allows us to exercise grace and servitude in the local church.
Christian liberty is not to be mistaken for a license to boast or judge others. Christian liberty is meant to free believers from the yoke of Law observing and from legalism.
So, where do we go from here? I offer this simple solution in dealing with this debate:
"Let each be fully convinced in his own mind..." (Rom. 14:5); "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31).
Christian, if there is no clear teaching or restriction against something, you and others are free to do that thing. Be sure you do that thing with any 'weaker' brother or sister in mind, but you are free to do it. But, if something troubles your conscience, even if it falls under the umbrella of Christian liberty, do not violate your conscience. Do not do that thing you're free to do.
In short, if you feel there is nothing wrong with Halloween, have fun and observe it, all for the glory of God.
If you feel it is pagan and it would violate your conscience, do not observe Halloween.
Neither side should judge or restrict the other on this issue nor arrogantly flaunt liberty or restriction in it. Neither is holier than the other, whether one exercises liberty or not.
*One note however, if you so choose to observe Halloween today: Don't waste this day. This is the one day a year where total strangers will be coming to your doorstep and you will likely know nothing of their eternal home. As you pass out the candy, pass out the Gospel as well.
The debate among Christians over whether one should celebrate or observe Halloween seems to be increasing in regularity. There are blog posts, videos, even sermons making the rounds about why a Christian should or should not take part in this day; one cites tradition, another cites other historical accounts, still others simply partake of the festivities without giving it a second thought. The typical argument is one between supposed pagan history versus one of ties to the reformation, remembering past fallen saints in the faith.
There are a few avenues a person can explore as Halloween rolls around every year:
1) Observe it with pagan intentions: use it to worship Satan, dress like the dead or demonic, and let loose.
2) Observe it with reformed intentions: use it to remember the fallen martyrs/Christians who have gone on before us in the faith.
3) Observe it without thought: simply go out there, have fun with your family, dress up, and eat candy.
4) Abstain from any involvement in the holiday.
Whichever option a person chooses, that's his/her prerogative. After all, this is a 'free country.'
But allow me to offer an observation in this discussion: Consider this holiday in light of Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10.
Both of these portions of Scripture deal with what is called 'Christian Liberty.' In each scenario, in a nutshell, both Jewish and Gentile Christians alike were coming into churches with different baggage from their past, as we all do. Jews who were saved by Christ out of their law-keeping and Judaism had trouble shaking Jewish dietary restrictions, special days of observance, etc. Gentiles who were saved out of pagan religious practices also took issue with eating certain items, particularly ones that were synonymous with idolatrous ritual and ceremony, sacrifices, etc. All of this made for an interesting dynamic in local Christian churches. More mature Christians, such as Paul expressed, felt free in Christ from any dietary and ceremonial restrictions, including special holidays. Those who were fairly newer or "weak" Christians, either Jewish or Gentile, struggled with the exercise of these freedoms by their "more mature" brothers and sisters in Christ. 'How could these supposed examples in the faith do such things?' they thought.
God addresses this issue clearly in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10:23-33. Basically, every believer is free in Christ from restrictions (of course, this obviously excludes sinful practices) , BUT if a more mature believer, one who was not compelled by his/her conscience to stick to certain restrictions, came across a fellow believer who was "weaker" in conscience, the more mature believer was prescribed to abstain from exercising their liberty in the the weaker believer's presence. However, the weaker believer was not to judge and force his/her restrictions on the more mature believers. A "weaker" believer was simply one who still felt compelled by conscience to keep certain restrictions, otherwise they believed they were in sin.
All in all, Christian liberty allows us to exercise grace and servitude in the local church.
Christian liberty is not to be mistaken for a license to boast or judge others. Christian liberty is meant to free believers from the yoke of Law observing and from legalism.
So, where do we go from here? I offer this simple solution in dealing with this debate:
"Let each be fully convinced in his own mind..." (Rom. 14:5); "...whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." (1 Cor. 10:31).
Christian, if there is no clear teaching or restriction against something, you and others are free to do that thing. Be sure you do that thing with any 'weaker' brother or sister in mind, but you are free to do it. But, if something troubles your conscience, even if it falls under the umbrella of Christian liberty, do not violate your conscience. Do not do that thing you're free to do.
In short, if you feel there is nothing wrong with Halloween, have fun and observe it, all for the glory of God.
If you feel it is pagan and it would violate your conscience, do not observe Halloween.
Neither side should judge or restrict the other on this issue nor arrogantly flaunt liberty or restriction in it. Neither is holier than the other, whether one exercises liberty or not.
*One note however, if you so choose to observe Halloween today: Don't waste this day. This is the one day a year where total strangers will be coming to your doorstep and you will likely know nothing of their eternal home. As you pass out the candy, pass out the Gospel as well.
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