I want to be a part of a first century church, a scriptural church! I long to live my life according the old paths of Jesus. I strive to abandon the new under the sun/change for the sake of change and of course, the conforming to this world. But too often, we use this an excuse to say that our traditions are righteous. Old traditions are not necessarily righteous...

Religion vs. Christ

Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them. But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. - Colossians 2:20 - 3:17

I'm afraid that too many of the "old paths" are ordinances after the commandments and doctrines of men. Believe me, how shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? I long to be not conformed to this world: but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. But many of the "old paths" are the world.

But I say, "This is the right way to do things!" Why? Do I do them because they are scriptural? Or do I do them because it's orthodox?

God doesn't care much about my style. He cares a great deal about my substance. I need to do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. I need to let the word of Christ dwell in me richly in all wisdom, and teach and admonish... and sing with grace in my heart. I need to let the peace of God rule in my heart and be thankful. I need to put on love. I need to forgive. I need to put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. I need to lie not. I need to put off anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of my mouth. I need to mortify fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. I need to set my affection on things above. I need to seek those things which are above. I need to be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world. This is the true old and narrow path. Anything else has indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body.