What to do?

[Aaron Meissner]

I have been reading this site extensively and can't help but believe it's true. I've been searching for the truth for a long time and this site is actually biblical and makes sense. I'm in a bit of a quandary though. Christmas is coming up and I have been convicted that it is pagan and not to be celebrated. So what does that really mean exactly? What am I to do on Christmas Day when my family is celebrating Christmas? Hole myself up in my room? Leave the house? Go away during the holidays? I don't want to worship false Gods. I just feel stuck right now. I guess you could say I'm Lukewarm which is probably the worst position to be in. The things of the world bring me absolutely no joy and I see the evil and vanity in it. On the other end I just can't seem to fully surrender. I don't want to live a lie and I want to live Gods way because I know it's the only true way but I must admit I don't think I'm there yet. What should I do? I don't want to keep sinning in the process even if I'm not saved yet

[David Giglia]

Aaron its good to see you have got questions about this topic, when I first become a believer in 1985 GOD showed this to me and I've been convicted ever since to not kept christmas and it does cause a rift in the family. But obeying is more important than having family agree with you I hate this time of year, I also don't keep new years as another pagan holiday it is, easter is another, the list goes on. I just go hibernate in the basement and say don't judge me because I don't keep it I don't judge you because you do, but the word of GOD does say not to mix the things of GOD with the pagan holidays so I refuse to have anything to do with them and it isn't any fun being by yourself in this matter but that's just how it is it costs alot to stand for the truth.

[Victor Hafichuk]

Aaron, read my experience with Christmas in my Theo-auto, http://www.thepathoftruth.com/what-the- ... uction.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

The Lord comes first. Have faith in Him and He'll take you step by step. Yes, we need to obey in those things He places before us if we hope to grow in faith and receive the reward He has in store for us, but most externals aren't the issue until He makes Himself known and empowers us to walk circumspectly and in holiness before Him. I didn't know to stop celebrating Christmas until after I was granted the Gift of the Holy Spirit. That said, we need to walk in the light we've been given.

Will that help you all?

[Victor Hafichuk]

Know also that whenever you walk by faith and obedience to the Lord, you will experience conflict and persecution. It's part of the package; expect it, count on it, deal with it, persevere, and give thanks.

[Brian McDonald]

If I may, I too struggle through these testing times. (Christmas, birthdays and so on) Take what you can for the Lord. As Victor says, “step by step” and “walk in the light we’ve been given.”

Aaron, while learning to endure in matters of faith and righteousness in Christ Jesus, consider these times such as christmas, halloween, birthdays and so on, as well as everything else, as testing grounds, or as battles/skirmishes in which you engage your enemy. Without the full armour of the Holy Spirit we may not experience total victory in these matters right away. However, like any good soldier, we must fight with what we have, with what the Lord of armies has given us at this time. Fight, steal, grab. If you fall; and you will, get up again, recapture what you can and stand your ground.

Yes, you may suffer many wounds and scares, but know that these build endurance and confidence, transforming you/us into a battle-hardened warrior, ready to fight the good fight to the end. Win what you can for the Lord and do not fret, its all in His hands.
Brian.

1The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Psalm 23 NIV

[Aaron Meissner]

Thank you all for the replies. I told my parents I won't be celebrating Christmas anymore. As y'all can probably guess they weren't amused. My mom rolled her eyes and just said "what are you gonna do hide in your room." My dad said it was darkness that would tell me not to celebrate Christmas.

I guess I'm going to do just that. Hide in my room or leave for the day. This is all just so crazy. I never knew following the Lord would be like this. It really is totally dying to self. I've been in torment over the past couple of weeks because I am stuck. Like I said I think I'm Lukewarm. I know these things to be true but I have such a hard time surrendering.

I ask myself Do I really love the Lord? I don't want to do things I know are wrong but at the same time it's so hard to let go. I guess all I can do is just go and obey with what I have been given. I know I don't have the Holy Spirit because if I did I would know and know that is what I need. I guess I'm in a stage of repentance? Im really trying to understand all of this

[Isaiah Dillard]

Aaron,

This isn't met to be easy, but actually impossible in our own strength, but is possible through God. Don't depend on your own strength, but have faith in His.

Proverbs 29:25 WEB
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.

Don't let fear of man, opinions and relationships be a snare. Trust The Lord's words that he'll keep you safe. Though its hard to see, be encouraged of the accusation against you of being in darkness for not keeping Christmas, as your are blessed:

Matthew 5:10-12 WEB
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. [12] Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

[Victor Hafichuk]

Aaron:

"And we are His witnesses of these things, and also the Holy Spirit, Whom God gave to those obeying Him" (Acts 5:32 LITV).

[Sarah Stuckey]

Hi Aaron,

I can relate to what you say here: "My dad said it was darkness that would tell me not to celebrate Christmas."

Four years ago when I told my dad I wasn't celebrating Christmas anymore he concluded that TPOT website was of Satan.

Keep going one day at a time and give thanks for absolutely everything that's happening to you. "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" (1 Thessalonians 5:18 ESV).

Sarah

[Tom Babcock]

I can relate to darkness having spent a long time there. I am working through this with my wife over her position on Christmas which she claims to be innocent and harmless simply enjoying all the benefits. But a little folly spoils the whole, and denies the testimony of being a follower of Christ.

But the good thing about raising this is that it has opened the door to talking because the celebration of Christmas was like a last straw regarding my desire to follow TPOT in all that I am learning. And we did talk and for the first time after hearing some pent up feelings against me was to have an opportunity to say things to her that the Lord had given me.

I felt confident because the truth can be shared without fear of doubt when it has become real and then it is not the uncertain sound 1Co 14:8 but has the ring of truth. And the most remarkable thing to me is being one, speaking the same things being perfectly joined together that I am seeing at TPOT, 1Co 1:10.

And obedience to the truth that is given opens the door to more, as walking in the bit of light I was given has increased understanding on more things that were neglected for a long time that need to be cleared up. So it is very much a case of being thankful for everything that comes.