The Postponements: Addressing the Issues by
Dale D. Carmean and Jack M. Lane
Section 7:
Concluding RemarksThese are some of our findings in regard to postponements and new moons.
In the long run, it may not make as much difference as we think whether we observe the new moon on the conjunction, the calendar date, or by sighting the first crescent. The important thing has always been to serve our great God as best we can, in spirit and in truth, the way we understand, following as much truth as He has allowed us to see, always seeking to know more.
It seems evident that our God has much more patience with us than we do, and is more forgiving of our foibles and shortcomings. As long as we turn to Him with our whole hearts, and do the best we can with what we have, God will supply our need. Whatever calendar system we choose to follow, if we are following it in full faith that it is the right thing to do, will God do anything but accept that attitude?
An important principle to remember is found in Romans 14: "Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone. If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: ‘"As surely as I live," says the Lord, "Every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God."’ So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling-block or obstacle in your brother's way" (Romans 14:4-13, NIV).
Paul also wrote to each one of us: "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ. For in him [Christ] the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.
"In him also you were circumcised with a spiritual circumcision, by putting off the body of the flesh in the circumcision of Christ; when you were buried with him in baptism, you were also raised with him through faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. And when you were dead in trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive together with him, when he forgave us all our trespasses, erasing the record that stood against us with its legal demands. He set this aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities [of Satan's world] and made a public example of them, triumphing over them in it.
"Therefore [because of all these things] do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food and drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or sabbaths. These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the substance belongs to Christ" (Colossians 2:6-17).
We do not judge other people on what they do, and we ask the same favor toward us. Whatever each reader chooses to do with this information is entirely up to him or her. We will not condemn anyone for continuing to do what they have been doing. We only wish to share our findings and ask each person to examine the evidence and act on his or her convictions before God.
We do not seek to be divisive. Clergymen stand in their separated congregations, addressing shrunken crowds of followers who have been divided up among several new church groups, and accuse people who discuss the calendar of being divisive! It would seem the pointed finger has three companions pointing back, and a thumb pointing toward heaven! No, we do not mean to be divisive. The body of believers could not be more divided than it already is.
The Kingdom is not meat and drink, nor is it postponements and new moons. God will judge our hearts and intentions, to see if we are worshipping Him, individually, in sincerity and truth. If we sometimes fall a little short in absolute truth, because we can't yet know it, we must make up for it in sincerity, along with faith, study, obedience, and love -- especially love.
You may have several questions from reading this booklet. That's good. Seek answers from as many sources as you can, but always reserve judgment for yourself. The Spirit of God within each Christian should be leading every Christian into all truth. Go to God on your knees, and ask His help in hearing His Spirit within you.
These issues of the calendar are challenging. There are no easy answers. But perhaps you will now be better able to make an informed decision regarding at least some of the calendar issues.
Related Reading:
"A Closer Look at Binding and Loosing"
"The Oracles -- The Plain Truth About Romans 3:2"
"The Wave Sheaf Offering: What We Found"