Posts
Sometimes it seems that life and I are not friends at all anymore, if ever we were.
It gets hard when things refuse to go right. When the money is gone and one is reduced to the kindness of others only to find there are few who wish to be kind because they don't particularly like me.
Many times I have considered people who have given up completely, and I have always said to myself that they should just have hung on a little longer. And yet I find that now I, too, consider the merits of giving up.
It's hard.
His voice then shook the earth; but now he has promised, "yes once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heaven." This phrase, "yet once more," indicates the removal of what is shaken, as of what has been made, in order that what cannot be shaken may remain. Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire. Hebrews 12:25-29 Revised Standard Version
Everything that can be shaken will be shaken. That's just the way it is. So what of faith? My faith?
It's hard to keep going. It's hard to endure. It's hard when one doesn't know what to do anymore.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we are not contending against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace; besides all these, taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:10-20 Revised Standard Version
My scripture reading just a few minutes ago was Acts, chapter 27. In this chapter the Apostle Paul is being transported to Italy. The ship encounters a storm and all is lost - except the lives of the 276 people on board. They suffered without food fourteen days, fearful of their lives. An angel of God came to Paul to assure him all would be well. Many is the time I have wished God would send an angel to assure me.
But there is no need for the assurance of angels. God has given us the Holy Scriptures, and we must believe them or we will not believe an angel should one come.
Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them." And he said, "No, father Abraham; but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead." Luke 16:29-31 New King James Version
So to endure is weariness. It is hard.
I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as it is written, "The Just shall Live by faith." Romans 1:14-17 New King James Version
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Which Master Do You Serve
"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Matthew 6:24
The principal is true, and it doesn't only hold for God and money. It's true any time two or more priorities come into conflict. Sooner or later, in everything, you will be forced to choose one over the other. Spaghetti or roast beef for supper. Go to this movie or that. Go swimming or go to the zoo.
Those are minor decisions and the consequences of choosing one over the other seldom matter. But what happens when important things come into conflict?
Do I buy groceries or get my prescription filled? Do I go to daughter's soccer game over here, or son's soccer game on the other side of town?
At any given time we may find ourselves alternating between what is more important, but at any given moment one is more important than the other.
So what's my point?
Rules (laws) and people.
Which is more important to you? To me?
The Bible is replete with things identified by God as holy and as sinful. God cannot tolerate sin. He just can't. By definition sin is what is against God. The constant theme of scripture is that God loves people. People are sinners. All of us.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:21-25
So what about the law? I'm talking Biblical law. This is what Paul tells us in the first chapter of Romans.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling moral man or birds or animals or reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
26 For this reason god gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.
29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
Powerful words. Even frightening. But do you know what follows immediately after these words? Read on in chapter two.
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
Are you guilty of the entire list? No. Of course not. Who is? Hmm. Let's read what James has to say about that.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10
How can this be? Is it fair? Think of it this way.
There is a figure of a Bengal tiger on top of my computer monitor. Suppose I actually have two. Now suppose you come along and break off the ear of one. Someone else comes along and smashes the other into tiny pieces. How many of my tigers are broken? And who broke them?
Our tendency is to look at what someone else did and declare our offense wasn't nearly so bad. After all, we just broke off an ear. But we still broke it. Our error is ceasing to compare the tiger we broke with a perfect model. Paul talks about this.
But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12
So what do we say about people and the law? And what should our own attitude be?
We cannot love people and the law equally. God himself tells us this. So if we say we do we are liars. What should we do?
This is my opinion. I base it on Christ's forgiveness. God's forgiveness. I base it on warnings all through scripture, but particularly in the New Testament, about judging others without mercy.
I think the correct behavior is to love people and not worry about the law. God is not challenged by anything anyone does or say. His law will remain intact no matter what happens, and he will remain in charge. We need not fear for God or his law.
Our concern should be about people. We need to love them. Accept them as we hope to be accepted. I don't want to be punished for the things I am guilty of. That's why I rely on the forgiveness of God. Why should I wish for punishment for others. Especially when God keeps telling me that such an attitude will only guarantee my own punishment.
Let us not worry about who the sinners are. God has already told us they are us. All of us.
Which master will you serve? How about love? God is love. Let's serve him and not worry about the sins of others.
The principal is true, and it doesn't only hold for God and money. It's true any time two or more priorities come into conflict. Sooner or later, in everything, you will be forced to choose one over the other. Spaghetti or roast beef for supper. Go to this movie or that. Go swimming or go to the zoo.
Those are minor decisions and the consequences of choosing one over the other seldom matter. But what happens when important things come into conflict?
Do I buy groceries or get my prescription filled? Do I go to daughter's soccer game over here, or son's soccer game on the other side of town?
At any given time we may find ourselves alternating between what is more important, but at any given moment one is more important than the other.
So what's my point?
Rules (laws) and people.
Which is more important to you? To me?
The Bible is replete with things identified by God as holy and as sinful. God cannot tolerate sin. He just can't. By definition sin is what is against God. The constant theme of scripture is that God loves people. People are sinners. All of us.
But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the law and the prophets bear witness to it, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction; since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, they are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward as an expiation by his blood, to be received by faith. Romans 3:21-25
So what about the law? I'm talking Biblical law. This is what Paul tells us in the first chapter of Romans.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth.
19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.
20 Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse;
21 for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened.
22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools,
23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling moral man or birds or animals or reptiles.
24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,
25 because they exchanged the truth about god for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
26 For this reason god gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural,
27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error.
28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct.
29 They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips,
30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,
31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.
32 Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them.
Powerful words. Even frightening. But do you know what follows immediately after these words? Read on in chapter two.
1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, whoever you are, when you judge another; for in passing judgment upon him you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, are doing the very same things.
Are you guilty of the entire list? No. Of course not. Who is? Hmm. Let's read what James has to say about that.
For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. James 2:10
How can this be? Is it fair? Think of it this way.
There is a figure of a Bengal tiger on top of my computer monitor. Suppose I actually have two. Now suppose you come along and break off the ear of one. Someone else comes along and smashes the other into tiny pieces. How many of my tigers are broken? And who broke them?
Our tendency is to look at what someone else did and declare our offense wasn't nearly so bad. After all, we just broke off an ear. But we still broke it. Our error is ceasing to compare the tiger we broke with a perfect model. Paul talks about this.
But when they measure themselves by one another, and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12
So what do we say about people and the law? And what should our own attitude be?
We cannot love people and the law equally. God himself tells us this. So if we say we do we are liars. What should we do?
This is my opinion. I base it on Christ's forgiveness. God's forgiveness. I base it on warnings all through scripture, but particularly in the New Testament, about judging others without mercy.
I think the correct behavior is to love people and not worry about the law. God is not challenged by anything anyone does or say. His law will remain intact no matter what happens, and he will remain in charge. We need not fear for God or his law.
Our concern should be about people. We need to love them. Accept them as we hope to be accepted. I don't want to be punished for the things I am guilty of. That's why I rely on the forgiveness of God. Why should I wish for punishment for others. Especially when God keeps telling me that such an attitude will only guarantee my own punishment.
Let us not worry about who the sinners are. God has already told us they are us. All of us.
Which master will you serve? How about love? God is love. Let's serve him and not worry about the sins of others.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Wolf or Prophet
I was having a discussion with someone recently about my concern over how everyone is so filled with hatred, intolerance, and general animosity, that it's quite depressing to see. The topic of cults had come up and he had related that in his studies he had learned there were a frightening amount of cults just in the United States.
Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?
He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.
The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.
I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.
Am I a wolf?
I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!
Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version
Eventually, I asked the question: But if we're nothing but vicious to these people, how are ever supposed to be encouraged to seek the real God?
He agreed in principal, but then he added this: There are people who simply wish to disrupt the people of God. They know what they are doing and they do it anyway. They are the wolves which rise up from among us.
The current 'official' (so-called) Christian thinking is this: Be intolerant. Put down the opposition. Win at all costs.
I disagree with that position. I speak out. I'm getting louder.
Am I a wolf?
I fear it. I really do. However, I cannot escape my conviction that intolerance and mean-spiritedness is simply WRONG!
Jesus was never intolerant. He was never mean. What he offered everyone, even the Pharisees and others of like mind, was acceptance. I think that is what the Bride of Christ needs to do again. We need to forget about our rights and what the law is and all that crap. We need to get back to Jesus, for it seems to me we have strayed away and are now doing everything by and for ourselves.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch of mine that bears no fruit, he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already made clean by the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:1-5 Revised Standard Version
Then he said to them, "These are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem." Luke 24:44-47 Revised Standard Version
And he said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe wil lbe condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe in my name; they wil lcast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:15-18 Revised Standard Version
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, "For thy sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:311-39 Revised Standard Version
Monday, October 12, 2009
It Turns Out God Made Them After All
There are many divisive issues confronting us today. They range from race relations to religion to matters of law and even sexuality. For a person who grew up with very precise definitions of sex and sexuality I am a Johnny-come-lately to the discussion. There was a time I held a stance and was quite dogmatic about it. I wasn't willing to hear anything which didn't agree with what I had already decided.
But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.
The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.
I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version
I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.
Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version
So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.
So where does that leave us with regard to God?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version
Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.
How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?
Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version
Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?
That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?
But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.
So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?
I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version
People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.
But my decision was not based on my own knowledge, experience, or investigation.
The question of gay rights has been around for several decades now, and it seems to be heating up. Not seems to be. It is heating up. There was a march of some kind in Washington yesterday or today in which gay activists and supporters of gay rights are calling out a reminder to President Obama that he promised to bring positive resolution in at least some areas.
I am not a model Christian, and for many that immediately excludes my opinion from counting for anything. For others, the fact that I now stand against them on certain points is the reason to no longer listen to anything I have to say. But I am a Christian. I believe Jesus Christ is God himself, known to us as The Son of God (which is a confusing term to us in this society - but probably not to those in an older society which no longer exists). I believe he died on the cross in order that God could forgive us our sins and accept us back to himself. I believe he rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, where he poured his blood on the alter as payment.
Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Hebrews 9:22 Revised Standard Version
I believe this faith I own makes me a Christian. Not my lifestyle. Lifestyle cannot make anyone a Christian. Only forgiveness.
Now, that being said, I want also to say that I believe the answers to the sex and sexuality questions can be found in the Bible: but only for those who are willing to have faith in it.
Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! So whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 6:7-12 Revised Standard Version
So, I have been gaining knowledge and experience through my own investigation. Others have done a much better job, and with that thought in mind I would like to direct you to the blog of one Sarah L. Specifically, this post here. In it, Sarah discusses scientific fact about the number of people born as a-typical males and females. In some cases they are both. Even the chromosomes do not distinguish, as the combinations are just too diverse to say certain people are male or female.
So where does that leave us with regard to God?
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 Revised Standard Version
Do you see it? It's there, although I confess I'm nervous about interpreting it. God created man - as male and female.
How does that relate to the questions of gay rights which confront us today? I must confess I am not sure. But I do believe we must be careful. The Bible is not just one verse, and God's will and purpose is found in the entire Bible. What is the constant message?
Today, while searching for answers in scripture about hermaphrodites, I came across someone else's scripture reference. I will surround the verse they referenced so that it shows more in context. But I find it most interesting.
Now before faith came, we were confined under the law, kept under restraint until faith should be revealed. So that the law was our custodian until Christ came, that we might be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a custodian; for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, though faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise. Galatians 3:23-29 Revised Standard Version
Again, I hesitate to make an explicit interpretation of this reference, but it does raise a question in my mind. Why are we concerning ourselves so much over this question?
That people are born without being solely male or solely female is a documented fact, and has been for hundreds of years. According to the information Sarah L found, it isn't nearly so rare an occurrance as some wish to believe. Do you realize that there are more people in the United States alone with this condition than live in Wyoming, Vermont, North Dakota, Alaska, and Vermont - COMBINED?
But even if it WAS only one person. Did not God make that person? Everyone who is born is born according to God's will. People cannot exist unless God creates them. Only God can create a spirit.
So did God make more than three million mistakes in the United States? I don't think so. God doesn't make mistakes. These people were created according to God's will. So did God create people just to hate them? No. God loves these people. They were created exactly according to his plan. Why do we feel this insane need to oppress them?
I think we in the Christian Community are in great danger of becoming the servant who lost the grace given to him by the king.
Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began the reckoning, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; and as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imporing him, 'Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' And out of pity for him the lord of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But that same servant, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow servatns who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat he said, 'Pay what you owe.' So his fellow servant fell down and besought him, 'Have patience wit hme, and I will pay you.' He refused and went and put him in prison till he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed ,and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you besought me; and should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?' And in anger his lord delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you; if you do not forgive you brother from your heart. Matthew 18:23-35 Revised Standard Version
People, we need to be careful with how we view other people.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
A Random Word of Scripture
Do you know what I find odd? StatCounter. I put it on all of my blogs and I don't think it works well at all. For instance, just on an impulse, I looked at the hits my blogs have taken. According to StatCounter, this blog was visited twice today. So, out of curiosity, I checked on "Recent Visitors", just to see where the visitors lived. According to "Recent Visitors" this blog has not been visited since early August. Then I checked the map of visitors and found over forty visitors to this blog from all over the world. Well, not exactly ALL over. Lots from North America; many from Europe; a few from the Middle East; and even some from southeast Asia and Australia. Meanwhile, the main counter tells me the blog has had 72 visits total (don't know what the counter was at when the blog went silent). So, I don't really know if anyone is coming here or not.
However, on the chance someone is, let me put down something actually useful. I just opened my bible and it fell open to James 1:2. Kind of appropriate, as I have NOT been doing this.
James Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version)
2 Count it all joy, my breathren, when you meet various trials,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7,8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which god has promised to those who love him.
Something else. I had this marked in orange hi-light. I'll include the verses around.
James Chapter 2 (Revised Standard Version)
8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one points has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' said also, 'Do not kill.' If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumps over judgment.
It has been a difficult time. Mostly because I have made it so.
Don't know when I shall post again.
However, on the chance someone is, let me put down something actually useful. I just opened my bible and it fell open to James 1:2. Kind of appropriate, as I have NOT been doing this.
James Chapter 1 (Revised Standard Version)
2 Count it all joy, my breathren, when you meet various trials,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him as God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7,8 For that person must not suppose that a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways, will receive anything from the Lord.
9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation,
10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
12 Blessed is the man who endures trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life which god has promised to those who love him.
Something else. I had this marked in orange hi-light. I'll include the verses around.
James Chapter 2 (Revised Standard Version)
8 If you really fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself,' you do well.
9 But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.
10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one points has become guilty of all of it.
11 For he who said, 'Do not commit adultery,' said also, 'Do not kill.' If you do not commit adultery but do kill, you have become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty.
13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; yet mercy triumps over judgment.
It has been a difficult time. Mostly because I have made it so.
Don't know when I shall post again.
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