Today is 05242008 and as I do most days, I read the Tampa Tribune. Some days I wish I didn't. Today in the "Letters to the Editor" a large segment appeared entitled "The Ability of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Is seen as a Civil Right" I read the letters with interest and dismay as I read the letters.
One letter writer agreed that same sex marriage weren't what the writer particularly agreed with but agreed with the California Supreme Court in striking down a state ban and allowing same sex marriage in California. The writer aluded to the founding fathers fleeing evil persecution and intolerance, saying that today, right -wing religious fanatics have perverted the gospel of Christ.
Another writer said that there was nothing "immoral" about the lifestlye or same sex marriages between consenting adults and that same sex couples want to enjoy the same status that momogamous heterosexual adults enjoy, legally and socially.
As in all my other scribblings in this forum I will not beat around the bush but get to the point. In an earlier post I made titled, "Lord of All or not at all" a primary distinction is made. It has nothing to do with being a right wing fanatic or perverting the Gospel of Christ. God loves everyone equally, so much so that He sent His own Son to die for all, shedding His own precious blood and forfieting His life that we might live. God nor Christians hate "gay" people. God loves everyone and we are told to love our neighbor as ourselves. That said, God nor Christians hate people. God hates sin. His Word says so. You either believe the Bible is the inspired complete Word of God or you dont. There is no middle ground. Our opinions on these facts do not matter. Even if you deny God, He still is and only what He thinks will matter. The simple truth is that if you do not believe that the Bible is God's inspired and complete Word you might as well stop reading here because the rest will not matter to you (at least in this life) We are told to hate sin. All the scripture I reference will be from the King James Version but you can read any version you like as the meaning does not change just the readability.
In I Corinthians Chap 6 vers 9 we are told "...Be not deceived... The complete verse goes like this, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolators, nor adulterers, nor effeminate (footnote: perverts & homosexuals) ..... shall inherit the kingdom of God" The foot note is not mine but that written in the KJV of the Bible I am using for reference.
Marriage is an institution that was instituted by God Himself. In Genesis Chapter 2 vs 18 the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (foot note: helper fit for him)
Genesis chapter 2 vs 21 thru 25 ( you can look these up and read for yourself to make sure I am accurate) God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam and took one of his ribs (footnote says "sides") and made a woman and brought her to the man. Adam said that she was "bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh and that she should be called woman. A man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and they two shall be one flesh. Thus was marriage instituted by God and the first one was performed by God himself when He presented the man with the woman. God did not bring Adam another man nor did He form Eve and then bring her another woman.
We move on now to Romans Chapter 1 (again you will have to look these references up if you don't believe I'm accurate) where we are told man began to do all sorts of terrible things and that the wrath of God is against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. Men worshipped gods made with hands and they did not glorify the true God but became, "(vs 21) "...vain in their imaginations and their foolish heart was darkened. VS 22 "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools..."
Here we go to the meat and potatoes of the issue. Romans Chapter 1 begin at vs 24 thru 32 (Look these up and read them for yourselves if you think I am inaccurate) The Bible says that ,"God gave them over to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts to dishonor their own bodies between themselves..." The fact is that they changed the truth of God into a lie and worshipped the creature more than the Creator.
The following is what the Bible says about same sex relations. I am simply passing on information:
ROM 1:26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
ROM 1:27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
ROM 1:28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
ROM 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
ROM 1:30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
ROM 1:31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
ROM 1:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
These are not the words of some "right wing religious fanatic" but simply the words of the Bible. As I said in the beginning, if you don't believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and is His completed work, then you will disagree with this scribbling vehemently and lump the writer into the can with all the other "fanatics".
It does not matter how acceptible these issues have become in society in America or the world today. They are still wrong and not ordained of God. God does not hate those who participate in same sex issues nor do I. He loves everyone but we are still required to as lovingly as possible show when something is contrary to God's Word and "marriage" of same sex couples is not ordained of Him and it is absolutely not "A Perversion of the Gospel" as many who approve of these issues seem to think when followers of Christ say what the Word says. For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation.
These scribblings are not those of some "right wing religious fanatic" but of someone who loves the Word of God and the Lord Jesus and hopes all will come to that saving knowledge. I know that ,"...judge not, that ye be not judged..." is going to come so I head it off with this. We cannot pick and choose the verses of the Word we like and cast aside the rest. The old covenant was completed and fulfilled in the Savior Jesus and the new covenant is His blood to salvation. I am glad that we live under "grace" thats undeserved favor, rather than the law. As my first post says He is either "Lord of All or not at all"
Be Blessed
elkahna
Hello everyone!
elkahna here.
This post is actually a continuation of two previous posts. One entitled "Lord of All or Not at All" and "Of Deeds or Grace" These were posted in the Faith Blogs. I have a good on line friend "Vittorio" who asks some really great questions and offers his opinions. To really get the jist of what is here you need to read the original posts and the comments that follow. I have been trying to answer his relevant questions and statements but only about half of the desired comment posts so the only way to get the thought out is to write a new post as that is the only way the whole thing will post so here we go.
I appreciate you reading the references and listening to good preaching. I love differing opinions and give a lot of thought to what I write on these here blogs. I like sometimes just to take a slanted stance to see what will shake out but on the subject we are talking about here I am ALWAYS serious.
I am about to give you some really straight information. It is not meant to offend as that is the fartherest thing from my mind so here we go!
Your guest pastor probably didn't just "leave out" the after effects of the walls falling down at Jericho it probably wasn't part of his message. I'm just giving him the benefit of the doubt as I wasn't there. BUT, the ensuing slaughter was what God told the children of Israel to do. There are other instances in the Old Testament where God instructed the Isrealis to kill evey man, woman, child and animal that was in a segment of the land that was given them as the Promised Land. Without going in to a very long explanation if the Israelis had listened to God in ALL his instructions the conflicts that rage in and around them would not be taking place today. (I can explain the statement in scripture but it will take a bit so for the moment humor me :-)
As for Paul, he started out as Saul and was intent on exterminating the early church and all christians until his encounter on the Damascus Road with the Risen Christ Himself. Then he became Paul and was the most zealous of all the disciples and apostles. Paul so wanted his countrymen to come to know the Messiah, Jesus Christ, as Savior and Lord that he even lamented that he would hope that he could be accursed (separated) from Christ so that some of his countrymen would receive Christ and be saved. Like us they had the free choice to accept Christ or reject Him. There were many added to the fellowships in that day but it was because the people believed the gospel Paul was preaching and were drawn to and accepted Christ freely.
Free will is an absolute must with God. He wants fellowship with us because He loves us. He will never force Himself on anyone. You are a free moral agent able to choose Christ or reject Him. You cannot even come to Christ unless you are drawn of the Father. The fact that you are attending church at all is proof that you are drawn of the Father else you would have no interest at all. Being drawn is simply the opportunity to accept or reject. If you walk away and reject Christ, No asteroid will fall on you. You will continue to live until you die (or the tribulation finishes up whichever comes first) The Word does say that it is appointed unto man once to die and then the judgement. I would not want to attend that judgement without Christ as my Savior. Nothing will matter there except the Blood of Christ that cleanses away sin. There will be no curve grade there. Works will not matter. It will be either "Well done Good and faithful servant" or "Depart from me you accursed for I never knew you" ( Way much more information is needed but for now just believe me when I say that the Word says this. It is not made up by me. You can research it and see for yourself and I encourage you to do so.)
There is no middle ground He is either Lord of All or Not at All. The Bible is the same way. You either believe that it is the Holy Spirit breathed, inspired Word of God or you don't.
What troubles me is that you say that you only believe about half of what you read and that includes the Bible. If I understand right, you really don't believe the Bible IS the inspired Word of God. If that is true, I am concerned for you. There are lots of scripture that lots of people would rather wasn't in there but none the less it is and we cannot pick and choose the portions of scripture we like and disregard the rest. Jesus didn't come to condemn the world but to save it by taking all the sin of the world on His own body and taking the full wrath of God upon Himself and paying the debt He did not owe for one who could not pay (Me and everyone else) His sinless and perfect sacrifice of Himself paid the price for every sin that would ever be committed making a way where there was no way back into the Kingdom of God for us. He fullfilled all of the Old Testament in His coming in the flesh and His Perfect Atoning Sacrifice for all sin.
Believe it and Him or reject it and Him. There is no middle ground.
Thanks for your reads and all your questions and comments. I look forward to future posts and as always value what you have to say. Always keep in mind though, when it comes to this topic I am always serious and fervent about The Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus didn't come to swat us every time we mess up He came that we might have life and have it more abundantly and that our joy may be full. He is our Advocate with the Father and continually makes intercession for us.
Be Blessed
elkahna
A few days ago I made a post titled, "Lord of ALL or Not at ALL" and it generated several great opinions and comments but also raised an issue from a blogging aquaintance concerning judgement of deeds or grace. I tried to answer the question in an additional comment to the original post but there was no way to know if it would ever be read so another scribbling from this space came forth.
I would like to take the opportunity to address an issue that was brought up in a response about the reader feeling that we will be judged by deeds (works) and "organized religion"developing "recruiting" tools of "join or go to hell" . The reader said he hoped that the response was wrong in that he believed that there are many "good" people who are not Christians that do many wonderful things to enhance man's passage and a loving God would not cast away those whose works were good while rewarding those who are "born again" with heaven.
To address the issue of being judged by works I would ask you to take your Bible and read Ephesians Chap. 2 in in full. Pay special attention to verses 3 thru 10 with special attention to verse 8 & 9. This should help with showing why we absolutely are not judged and rewarded by "deeds" or works and why.
As far as organized religions recruiting tool of "join or go to hell" The organizations didn't come up with that. The issue of hell came about in the original fall of man from his original relationship with God. (See Genesis) Read 1 Corinthians Chap. 1 in full but pay special attention to verses 18 thru 31.
I didn't write in the verses on purpose as I hope you will take the time to read what the word of God actually says on these subjects that were raised. What we "feel" about good works will have no bearing on eternal destiny. Only our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the washing in His precious blood will matter. Jesus said in John Chap. 14 verse 6, "I AM the way, the truth and the life, no man comes unto the Father, but by me."
Thanks again for your read and comments and I hope this info will help us along in a walk with the Savior!!
elkahna
I was reading a blog entry by a person in the "Faith" segment of the blogs. This reading was really a blessing and inspired this blog entry. It is from a writing that I did some time ago and contains its essence.
In reading letters to the editor in the recent past and seeing Christian beliefs and the Bible itself either mocked or scriptures taken out of context in most every instance ESPECIALLY in the areas concerning controversial subjects and actions of this day. I am going to give a very simplistic but hopefully sobering view.
God loves every human being on the face of the earth equally.(So much that He gave His only Son for us) He does not desire that any should perish but that all should come to a saving knowledge of His son Jesus Christ. He hates sin. (Not People) In the simplest of terms, however, there is no middle ground or area of political correctness in the scriptures of the Bible. You either believe it is the absolute, inspired Word of God or you don't. You either believe what it says or you don't. Jesus Christ IS the Son of God and Lord of All or He is not lord at all. You either trust Him for His complete work of salvation or you don't. If you believe the Bible IS the absolute, inspired Word of God (AND IT IS!!) then it is clear on areas concerning marriage, homosexuality and the sinful condition of man. (See I Corinthians Chap. 6 vs 9 thru 20 as one example). We cannot pick and choose the portions of the Word we like and discard the ones we don't agree with or we find politically incorrect for this day and time. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no shadow of turning in Him. Either read it and believe it or reject it and discard it. Your decision will have eternal consequences. The question of, "What will I do with this man, Jesus?" is a question that will be answered by every living human soul. You can answer it in accepting Him by faith unto eternal life or answer it in the negative to eternal separation from God. Refusing to answer is the same as rejecting so we all will have to answer this question in one form or another. Do not be deceived by the current wave of "tolerance" and many ways unto salvation. Jesus said that He was the Way, the Truth and the Life and that no man comes to the Father except by Him.
Now after this I hope the messenger doesn't get stoned. I did not write the book, I'm simply telling you what it says. The God and Savior of the Bible is all inclusive of everyone. He loves all and has made a Way for all (SEE John 3:16) but He hasn't made a way for many "gods" or ways. He will not force Himself on anyone nor will He require us to die for Him for salvation (He has already done that for us!!) I hope and pray all who will, will read it and believe it, repent, accept and inherit a place in God's Kingdom through the free gift of His Son. As I said in the beginning He is either Lord of All or not at all.
Be Blessed
elkahna <><
