A member in Nigeria wrote: "Professing Christians here feel that we—the Church of God—dwell on the inconsequential points such as Sabbath observance on Saturday, clean and unclean meats and refusal to keep Christmas. These, they feel, are unnecessary divides in Christianity. I am suggesting an article that gives some scriptures from the Old and New Testaments regarding why these things matter to God."

Many would point out the preeminence of love, and we agree (1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:8). But do people really naturally know how to love as God loves? Love is one of the most misused and misunderstood words, and not just in the romantic, heartbreak arena.

What is love? God is love and His commandments show us how to love God the way He wants to be loved. They show us how to love our neighbor in ways that really work for the best for everyone (Matthew 22:37-40; 1 John 5:2-3; Romans 13:8-10).

Are there commandments that seem less important to people? The Bible acknowledges this (Matthew 5:19; 23:23), though how people look at things and how God looks at them are not necessarily the same (Isaiah 55:8-9). Of course we should concentrate on the weightier matters, but not leave the smaller things undone (Matthew 23:23). (Some of these things would be easy and normal in a world where everyone is doing them, but Satan uses them to make us stand out as sore thumbs today.)

Are biblical teachings important to Christ, and how did He respond to religious traditions that went against the biblical teachings? "And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men" (Mark 7:7; read verses 5-13). Sunday worship, Christmas celebrations and eating pork and shellfish are teachings of men that go against biblical teachings. God says not to adapt worship of other gods (like the Roman worship of the sun god on Sunday or the Saturnalia and other winter festivals that morphed into Christmas) to try to worship God (Deuteronomy 12:29-32).

We have done specific "Be Ready to Give an Answer" articles about the Sabbath (June 2003), Christmas (December 2003 and December 2004) and clean and unclean meats (May 2005).

For more detailed answers about why these matter to God, see the booklets, Sunset to Sunset: God's Sabbath Rest, Holidays or Holy Days: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep? and What Does the Bible Teach About Clean and Unclean Meats? The booklets and United News can be found on the Web at www.ucg.org in the Literature Library section.

Share Your Treasures!

Do you have any short items of biblical wisdom, humor or practical information that you would like to share in this section? Or if you have any suggestions, please contact United News, P.O. Box 541027, Cincinnati, OH 45254-1027 or mike_bennett@ucg.org.