The Family Religion

Mark White

Oh, we’re members down at First Church because that’s where my Grandparents worshipped when they moved into town many years ago. Why, my Mother and Father were married down there. Our kids all grew up at First, and when our oldest little granddaughter was born, they brought her back to First Church for her dedication. All our friends go there, and we wouldn’t even dream of going any place else to church.”

Doesn’t that sound familiar? Our experience is that if asked, most folks will give you this kind of answer as to why they go to church where they do. Even members of the church of Christ have been known to make such reasons the basis of their decision to work and worship with their present congregation.

Should a person just accept his parents’ religion as his own, without any question whatsoever? Some people sing, “Give me that Ole’ Time Religion – It was good enough for Momma, so it’s good enough for me!” But is this right?

The Bible says, “We ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). And, “He that loves father or mother more than Me, is not worthy of Me” (Matt. 10:37). It is such a blessing if our family is serving God acceptably, but that is still not the proper reason for our faith. But if what our family believes and practices has no basis in the word of God, we must not follow them into error. Real love for our family will cause us to do right rather than encourage them in what is wrong. Opposing religious error in your own family may be the most difficult thing you will ever do as a Christian. But if you want to go to Heaven, you must stand for what is right, no matter whom you must oppose. Trust God to help you and supply your needs (Phil. 4:13; Mk. 10:29,30).