One person visited another town, which was far away from his home. It was different from his culture and language. Somehow, he found a church and went there. He was perplexed by the order of service, and people attending and appalled to see some people sitting inside the church with shoes on. After the service was over, he had a conversation with a few church members. He expressed his displeasure for wearing shoes inside the church. One church member said: “Sir, we were not allowed to wear sandals in our villages while walking on certain streets. We had to carry them on our heads. Here we were welcomed with our shoes on and allowed to sit on these benches. Why you should be upset about this.”
Core essentials and non-essentials
In the Christian faith, certain core essentials cannot be compromised. For example, salvation in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Bible as the Word of God, the Virgin birth, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension, and the Second Coming. In other matters, there is freedom of choice. Using liturgy, worship style, preaching style, wearing a special dress for priests, sitting on the floor or bench…etc. Imposing non-essentials on other believers is not right. The Jewish believers wanted the Gentiles to become Jews, before becoming disciples, which Paul opposed. The Jerusalem council decided not to impose Jewish traditions, law, and spirituality over the Gentile believers. (Acts 15)
Moses Model?
Some people quote that Moses was asked to remove his shoes. (Exodus 3:5) The same Moses who initiated the Passover, a sacred festival, which points to the Lord as the Passover Lamb. Moses instructed as God commanded the slaves who were to be liberated. “In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover.” (Exodus 12:11)
External purity or Internal holiness?
Justice, mercy, and faithfulness are more important than external forms of religion. (Matthew 23:23)
Do I focus on essentials or distracted by non-essentials?