byIn Africa, where many things are overly spiritualised, topics like whether Christians should remove their footwear in church or not have been a significant issue in several churches. As a child, I remember how this was constantly debated on television stations years ago. Although divine knowledge has generally increased over the years, and this issue has not been a significant doctrine of concern in the body of Christ, it is essential to know the truth so you can get well-established in sound doctrine and not be swayed.
Moses’ case as an example
The whole talking point of this Biblical question started when people began preaching about what God told Moses when he met Him in the wilderness as fire on a tree that isn’t burning. God told Moses to remove his footwear because he was standing on holy grounds (see Exodus 3:5). Then, after that, He began to tell Moses who He was (and still is) — the God of his father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. Note that God didn’t shorten the words to say “The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.” No! He intentionally said that because He wanted Moses to know He’s not a “general” God but the God of each individual He mentioned uniquely. How God related to Moses doesn’t mean He will relate to you in the same way. Furthermore, Moses lived in the Old Testament, and we live in the New Testament. So, things are pretty different.
Special instructions
In my personal understanding of God’s instruction to Moses, He told him to remove his footwear because He wanted Moses to revere Him for meeting Him face to face for the first time. It’s the same thing with us. Any child of God who experiences a unique encounter with God usually gets a special instruction from Him that makes a mark in his life forever. Therefore, it is erroneous to use one happening in the Bible to create a whole doctrine out of it.
God is Omnipresent
God is omnipresent. You cannot say He’s at one place and not at another. The Bible says in Isaiah 66:1 that Earth is His footstool. That means God is bigger than the Earth. If God is omnipresent, His presence is everywhere, not just in church. So, if you say you are to remove your footwear in God’s presence, then you’ll probably walk barefoot all your life, which is not good.
Revere God wherever you are
God loves you and has a special relationship with you. Never limit it to some dos and don’ts you must do to walk in love with Him by your side. Until you hear a vivid instruction from Him to remove your footwear when you are in fellowship with God, don’t do it. He is more concerned about receiving you just as you are than your physical actions to prove to yourself that you’ve come before Him.
Shalom!
