Chapter 26 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession states:
Section 8: A local church, gathered and fully organized according to the mind of Christ, consists of officers and members. By Christ’s appointment the officers to be chosen and set apart by the church as called and gathered, are Bishops (otherwise called Elders) and Deacons. It is their special responsibility to arrange for the carrying out of what the lord has ordained, and to use the powers entrusted to them for the execution of their duties; and such arrangements are to continue in the church until the world ends. (Acts 20:17,28; Phil. 1:1) * Note that in none of the above Scripture reference is there a command related to the way officers of the church should be appointed. Additionally, we see these referenced scriptures (particularly, those in Acts) as descriptive and not prescriptive by the natural reading of the text. Section 9: By Christ’s appointment, any person who has been qualified and given the necessary gifts by the Holy Spirit for the work of Bishop or Elder in a church, must be chosen and called to that office by the common suffrage of the church itself. He must be solemnly set apart by fasting and prayer, with the laying on of the hands of the existing eldership, if there be such. Similarly, deacons are to be chosen by the common suffrage of the church, and set apart by prayer and the laying on of hands. (Acts 6:3,5,6; 14:23; 1 Tim. 4:14) * Again we note that in none of the above Scripture reference is there a command related to the way officers of the church should be appointed. Also, once again we see these referenced scriptures (particularly, those in Acts) as descriptive and not prescriptive by the natural reading of the text. The 1689 seems to conflate the two methods for the appointment of elders and deacons. What we receive from the Biblical example is two distinct described methods of appointment for each office. According to Acts 6, deacons were chosen by the congregation and then appointed to the office by the elders. According to Titus 1:5, Acts 14:23, 1 Timothy 5:22 as well as other passages, the Biblical pattern for the appointment of an Elder consists of the current eldership both choosing and appointing new elders. With this understanding and my desire to respect the Regulative Principal of Worship, I believe the above two paragraphs, should be amended to read: A local ekklesia, gathered and completely organized according to the Scriptures, consists of officers and members; and the officers appointed by Christ are to be chosen and set apart. The elders are to be chosen by existing elders, and the deacons are to be selected by the members of the church (so called and gathered) who are then appointed by the elders. The offices of elder and deacon exist for the peculiar administration of ordinances, and execution of power or duty, which Christ entrusts them with, or calls them to, to be continued to the end of the world. Though I may differentiate slightly from the Second London Baptist Confession of Faith (1689) in this area, I consider those brothers and sisters who hold to its understanding of "Elder and Deacon Appointment".
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So over these last few days, some tests have come that I didn't consider pure joy. And it kills me that I didn't. See I know, as His people, that all things are working together for our good and for His glory (Romans 8:18-30). However, its not my flesh's first reaction. After some time to reflect on my first reaction, it easy to see my errors.
I want my sanctification to speed up, I want to be holy, but I also want what I want. This always reminds me of God's warning to Cain, "Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master" This has always been the issue, I must do what is right and subdue my sin. In my flesh, I don't have the power to do it, I need the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work strengthening my spirit to subdue my flesh. Earlier I mentioned the truth of Romans 8:18-30, but to better understand that we must understand what is being taught in Romans 7:14-8:17 about this war between our flesh and our spirit. I encourage you to read it all, but I offer these observations:
"Though my father, He's the richest King, I sit alone within my poverty" - (not sure who wrote that lyric but I would love to give credit if someone can tell me) Soli Deo Gloria, Bryan Chapter 22 of the 1689 London Baptist Confession states:
Section 7: It is the law of nature that in general a portion of time specified by God should be set apart for the worship of God. So by his Word, in a positive-moral and perpetual commandment that obligates everyone in every age, he has specifically appointed one day in seven for a Sabbath to be kept holy to him. From the beginning of the world to the resurrection of Christ the appointed day was the last day of the week. After the resurrection of Christ it was changed to the first day of the week, which is called the Lord's Day. This day is to be kept to the end of the age as the Christian Sabbath, since the observance of the last day of the week has been abolished. (Exodus 20:8; 1 Corinthians 16:1-2; Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10) * Note that in none of the above Scripture reference is there a command related to the first day of the week to be required as the Lord’s Day, just a statement that they gathered on that day. Section 8: The Sabbath is kept holy to the Lord when people have first prepared their hearts appropriately and arranged their everyday affairs in advance. Then they observe a holy rest all day from their own works, words and thoughts about their secular employment and recreation. Not only that, but they also fill the whole time with public and private acts of worship and the duties of necessity and mercy (Isaiah 58:13; Nehemiah 13:15-22; Matthew 12:1-13) In Colossians 2:16-18 (ESV), we find: "Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ." Accordingly, I understand the use of shadows and types in the Scriptures and seek to understand them as the Scriptures clarify those things for us. In the Seven Woes to the Scribes and Pharisees who sat on Moses’ seat (Matthew 23:1-36) Jesus says, “They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger” (ESV). Yet I believe the substance of our rest is found in Christ. As He said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV) While I affirm both the need and our Spirit-given desire to honor God, I see this in much the same way we I the commands to tithe. In the Old Testament, Israel was obligated to give, in the New Testament we find that we are new creatures in Christ created for good works. So I believe that the lifestyle of the Christian is giving because we have been given so much. I also believe that one day a week is not the requirement for the believer, but because he has made us new in Him every single day of our life is set apart for Him. I do not believe that the Sabbath commandment is a “positive moral, and perpetual commandment, binding all men in all ages”, nor do I believe that “This day is to be kept to the end of the age as the Christian Sabbath” as stated in Section 7 above. Again, we affirm what we believe to be the higher calling of the Christian in these areas:
Further Reading: Matthew 11:25-30; Hebrews 4:1-13; Colossian 3:23 (Context); Mark 6:31 (Context); Romans 14:5-8 (Context) In perhaps the most forgettable Indiana Jones movie “Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”; Dr. Jones is lamenting the loss of loved ones. He turns to Dean Charles Stanforth and asks, “Brutal couple of years, huh, Charlie? First Dad, then Marcus”. The response has stayed with me from the first moment I watched , Dr. Stanforth replies:
“We seem to have reached the age where life stops giving us things and starts taking them away.” An interesting take, and a point well made. On the doorsteps of my 42nd birthday, I seem to have entered that part of my life. I lost my mother early on, but in the last several years I have lost my father and several others (friends and family) in my life and so, as a man, I struggle with my own mortality. The Apostle Paul wrote three things that come to mind when you consider mortality. Around 57 AD, Paul wrote to the Romans: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (12:1) Around five years later he wrote to the Philippians: “Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all” (2:17) And about five years after that in 2 Timothy 4:6-22, an amazing passage of Scripture, most likely the last letter Paul wrote, and therefore this would have been the last passage he wrote before his martyrdom. In verse 6, he wrote: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come” Alistair Begg pointed out this process in Paul’s writing from the exhortation to offer your lives as a living sacrifice (Romans 57 AD), to the realization that martyrdom is a very real possibility (Philippians 62AD) to knowing that martyrdom is an imminent reality (2 Timothy 67AD). Again, Pastor Begg points us to the understanding that Paul had of death for the servant of Christ. Notice in 2 Timothy 4:6 he used the term “departure”. Paul defines what he means by departure 5 years earlier again in Philippians, in Chapter 1 verses 21-23, he says: “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” “Depart and be with Christ” what a great promise, what great hope! And to summarize Paul’s words in Romans 8:18-25, he said:
There is coming a day, and on that one day, our Joy as Christians will be complete. Our bodies redeemed, our souls forgiven and free, Christ himself will put an end to our pain, suffering and tears. We will never again experience death. Thank you Jesus. Reference: Alistair Begg’s full sermon can be found at: https://www.truthforlife.org/resources/sermon/death-and-dying/ In my honest opinion, this has been the most head-scratching sister-kisser of an election season in the history of American democracy. I have to ask; no matter who your candidate is, even if they win, will it make you happy? Will your life be better? Is there any guarantee?
Romans 13:1-7 speaks to the situation for the Christian, though I am summarizing, you can also click here to read. As Christians, we need to:
Notice that Romans does not tell us we have to like the direction that our government is taking, and there might come a day where they tell us we can no longer proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, but in the words of Aragorn from LOTR, “but it is not this day”. For those who might say, “America is becoming immoral”, the Biblical response is….yes, that is what human governments do (see 1 Samuel 8). I know you don’t like many laws that allow things like abortion, gay marriage, etc. I understand these are sins allowed by the law, but they aren’t the only ones, most instances of lying, envy, and sexual immorality are legal. These were problems in Biblical times as well, and we still don’t see Paul lobbying for Rome to change the laws. Why do you think that is? Well, Paul knew that all sin is a heart problem. Unredeemed and unrepentant hearts are absolutely corrupt. The bible says it this way, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9, ESV) And here is the Bible’s answer: “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12, ESV). See, the unregenerate world is full of dead men (and women) walking. Ephesians chapter 2 reminds us that we all were once dead like them. Paul goes on to write that we have been made alive with Christ because our God is rich in mercy. Paul uses beautiful phrases about God like “because of the great love with which he loved us” and by this “he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus”. In verses 8-9, we are reminded that none of this was accomplished by our works or effort, but only by the Gift of God’s grace through faith are we saved. So we have been made alive, but we are still walking in a world with those who are, in reality, the walking dead. Though we are saved and have been given a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17). So these immoral laws, they are not the problem. Our immoral leaders in government, they are not the problem. The problem is the total depravity of the human heart without Christ. I have been asked if I think Christian’s should take part in the political process, I think they can and they should. I have been asked if I think Christians should oppose immoral laws, my answer again is yes. However, when something becomes the law, we must submit even if it disturbs us, we don’t have to engage in sin but we must submit to our government all the way until the point we are told we cannot proclaim the gospel of Christ. Anything short of that leaves us with the fact that, as Christians, we should submit and pray for our leaders. Two quick stories When Jesus’ was teaching in Ancient Israel, it was under the rule of Rome. Rome was ruled with an iron fist by Caesar. Rome was immoral. Taxes were onerous. Pharisees asked Jesus whether or not a good law loving Jew should pay taxes to a corrupt government like Rome. After all, someone could try to reason that it was okay not to pay taxes in these extreme circumstances. Jesus’ response was awesome he said, “Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” They said, “Caesar's.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's” (Matthew 22:15-22). When Jesus was arrested, Pontius Pilate essentially asked him if Caesar had an enemy who wanted to challenge his rule of Israel. Pilate asked if Jesus was the King of the Jews? Again Jesus’ response was earth shattering, he answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world”. When Pilate heard this he saw no threat to Rome or Caesar and he found no guilt in Jesus (John 18:33-40, ESV). Our examples in the Bible never exemplify the behavior that I see from so-called “Christians” today. The Anger, the heart of revolution, the hate that is spewed sounds more and more like “give us Barabbas” than “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:27, ESV). So, no matter who wins, no matter what happens I’ll give you this guarantee that was given to all of us as Christians, our sovereign God’s promise is that he “will never leave you nor forsake you” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13, ESV). (It’s funny that dictionary.com defines dogma in the following manner:
adjective 1. Relating to or of the nature of a dogma or dogmas or any strong set of principles concerning faith, morals, etc., as those laid down by a church; doctrinal: “We hear dogmatic arguments from both sides of the political spectrum.” 2. Asserting opinions in a doctrinaire or arrogant manner; opinionated: “I refuse to argue with someone so dogmatic that he won't listen to reason”. At first glance, these two meanings seem to be competing ideas, but that is only at first glance. Before we go any further, allow me to define a few terms that I will be using so there is no misunderstanding. Visible Church: People/Organizations that claim to be “Christian”, consisting of both true and false converts. Invisible Church: Those who are genuine converts on earth combined with the saints that have died before us. (For a deeper look at these terms: Click this link) In the definition of dogmatic above, notice the language “laid down by a church”, I think we all have to allow for the fact that not everything the visible church has “laid down” as teaching is correct. Therefore, it is safe to say the visible church has asserting opinions (arrogantly at times). See any debate of Calvinism vs. Arminianism. (Disclaimer: I affirm the doctrines of grace as God’s Sovereignty in election) I’ll admit that according to both definitions, I am a dogmatic person. I have been guilty of the sin of arrogance, though it is not my desire to be arrogant. See, I love the Scriptures, I love Church History, but I also believe very strongly that this is too important to get wrong. My heart breaks for the lack of Biblical literacy and discernment in the visible church. It is an epidemic, for far too long people have said “I don’t have to read my Bible; I just want to love Jesus”! When I was 21 years old, a popular song (on Christian Radio at least) was Memoir by Audio Adrenaline. I use to sing it, oh well I was 21, what did I know? But there is this line: “I don't need theology to know that God's been good to me”, and now I just think how silly that line is. Now, theology is probably best defined as ‘the study of God’ or ‘words about God’; it comes from two Greek words theos meaning God and logos meaning word. If you know God’s been good to you, then that is (by definition) a theological statement, but I am getting side tracked. As a Christian Pastor, a teaching Elder, I make dogmatic statements, it kind of goes with job description. When I do so in my self and with my own flawed understanding, I must acknowledge that I could be wrong. After all, only scripture is infallible, and I must admit that my understanding is utterly fallible. So, I will contend for the faith (Jude 1:3), I will watch my life and doctrine closely (1 Tim 4:16), but I will be teachable/correctable if someone can show me a more excellent way (1 Cor 12:31) in Scripture. Proof is in the pudding, I was raised an Über Charismatic Arminian, During the process of sactification, I have become a Reformed Baptist.. Why? Because someone was able to take me to the Scriptures and show me my misunderstandings, I then adopted the more Biblical view every step of the way. I don’t have an open mind, but I do have a renewed mind and open Bible. This is just too important to get wrong. There are so many messages out there right now. As I write this, it's reformation day and of course Halloween. I am reading all over social media about 8 weeks of shopping till Christmas. Today, we are all concerned about candy, next we'll be dreaming of oven-baked, smoked or fried turkey. Then, with still undigested turkey in our bellies we will rush to the stores to wait in lines f0r the deals that will make us truly happy this holiday season.
I wonder in all of our holiday gluttony and materialism, as we bow our collective knees to the god of consumerism, does our idolatry ever even slow down long enough to think about a time much different than our modern era. When a definition of "blessed and highly favored" did not leave "visions of sugar plums", big screen tvs, and cadillacs dancing in our heads. Of course, none of us know what day Jesus was actually born. What I do know is "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly." (Romans 5:6, ESV). So, December 25th to me is just as good as any other day to celebrate His coming. With that being said: See, Mary is 32 weeks pregnant in a time when pregnancy made a hard life even more precarious. 32 tough weeks down and 8 more to go until Christmas. During the course of this pregancy she will have been a virgin that was assumed to be a harlot, she will face ridicule and the possibility of stoning, Have you heard of Kim Davis yet? If not, and you are in evangelical circles - you will soon. She will be called an example and someone to look up to.
It’s already begun, today I saw a post on social media about her story that had the John Knox quote “Resistance to tyranny is obedience to God” attached. So here’s the situation on Ms. Davis. The Supreme Court has ruled (June 26, 2015) that homosexual marriage is a constitutional right. You might not like that, evidently Ms. Davis does not. She has repeatedly refused to issue marriage licenses to same sex couples. The religious freedom injunction that Ms. Davis filed was denied and a court order was issued requiring her to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals. She again refused and when asked by what authority she refused, she replied, “under God’s authority”. Today she was found in contempt of court and jailed, below is her statement on the matter: "I never imagined a day like this would come, where I would be asked to violate a central teaching of Scripture and of Jesus Himself regarding marriage. To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a Heaven or Hell decision. For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s Word." Is Kim Davis courageous? ….yes absolutely! Is Kim Davis devout? …I have no doubt. Is Kim Davis right? …I’m not so sure. To her first assumption that she was acting “under God’s authority", I tried to find a scriptural example to support that and I could not. LET ME BE CLEAR – I believe homosexuality is sin. Therefore, I also believe that homosexual marriage is sin. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter what I think, the Scriptures declare it is sin. So is adultery. So is theft. So is unforgiveness. In fact let me give you a Biblical example that I did stumble on. In ancient Israel under Roman occupation, tax collectors were real scum. The Jewish tax collector for Rome was considered guilty of betrayal and cowardice. They did some really bad things like stealing way more than was required by Rome and kept the rest for themselves. So one day Jesus, was walking by and he saw a tax collector named Levi and Jesus said, “Follow Me.” What happened next is truly amazing: “And leaving everything, he (Levi) rose and followed him.” Luke 5:27-32 Notice that Levi left everything. He did not remain a tax collector. I wonder why? Why didn’t he stay a tax collector and start refusing to collect unfair taxes and defy Rome in that way? It’s simple, if he was going to defy Rome…and he was…and he did…then he was going to do it in a way that made a difference. Matthew preached the Gospel for years in defiance of Rome. Then by most accounts, while preaching, in about 70 A.D. he was arrested and executed on the spot being nailed to the floor and finally beheaded. Now many modern evangelicals submit Kim Davis as a similar example. Levi didn’t refuse to collect unfair taxes, he up and quit, “leaving everything” and took up the call to follow Christ. Kim Davis could really serve God by stopping this nonsense of going to jail for refusing to issue a paper that doesn’t mean anything more than a deed of sale. If she is going to give up her life in the name of something bigger than herself, in the name of Jesus; then why doesn’t she resign as County Clerk make her statement of good conscience and then dedicate her life to spreading the Gospel? She could dedicate her life to feeding the hungry, visiting the sick and those in prison and lifting Jesus’ name high. She has the religious freedom, protected by law, to refuse to issue marriage licenses to homosexuals and all she has to do is resign. “leave everything” like Levi did. I say there are better ways to serve the Kingdom of God, then to sit in jail over misguided notions. Why is it misguided, someone might ask, I say it is misguided because God doesn’t care about marriage licenses issued by the United States, He cares about the hearts of the men and women applying for those licenses. The only way to reach them, is to preach and live the Gospel of Christ, then the Holy spirit can break the heart of the sinner and draw them to salvation in Jesus. Warning!!!
Spoiler alert!!! The truth is an equal opportunity offender, so don’t be surprised if some part of this blog offends you. Truth has a way of doing that. Some of the big news in Christian circle today was that Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled in favor of nationwide gay marriage . So ultra conservative Christians are pissed! Can I say pissed in a church blog? They are really pissed! They're so bent out of shape because they want to subdue culture and make people abide by Christian tenets, the problem is not everyone is a Christian. But me, I am not upset about it. Mainly, because I am not surprised. This is secular society doing what it does. America is not a Godly nation. America is not a Theocracy. America is a democracy and it’s funny that the same ultra-conservatives that say they want Big Government to get out of their lives are the very same ones that want Big Government to define marriage. Let me be very clear. The Bible unequivocally teaches that homosexuality is a sin. It also mentions a few others that we overlook in the church such as, greed, pride, lust, fornication and adultery to name a few. And though we overlook other sins, Homosexuality has become the Evangelical’s pet sin. Many people in small local churches and mega churches alike have called out the sin of homosexuality but not the other sins that exist in their own congregations as if homosexuality was the only sin whose wages are death. In a response to this hyper-focused infatuation with eradicating homosexuality, liberal “Christians” have decided to say homosexuality is not a sin. It is with great sadness that I have watched “Christian” after “Christian” waver on the real biblical understanding of homosexuality. It is with equal sadness that I have watched “Christian” after “Christian” spew vitriol toward homosexuals as if it is a special sin. I have watched Dan Haseltine of Jars of clay make unclear statements that seem to support Homosexuality and when he “clarified” his comments, he wound up just becoming more ambiguous. “Pastors” Joel Osteen, Jesse Butterworth and Andy Stanley have turned from biblical truth to be more “seeker sensitive”. Christian music artists such as Ray Boltz, Jennifer Knapp and Vicky Beeching have come out as unrepentant homosexuals who claim to still be “Christian”. Let’s talk about some of the main arguments on both sides of the issue of homosexuality and gay marriage. One of the biggest arguments concerning this issue is whether or not someone is born that way. The church has long argued against the fact that people are born that way. That is to say, they were born with homosexual desires. While the homosexual world joins with Lady Gaga to sing, “I was born this way”. Neither of these stances are completely true. If you are saying that God made you to have homosexual desires then the answer is “no you were not”. God made humans in His image and likeness. If the church responds by stating that you were not born with homosexual desires then I would tell them that statement is not true either. Ok, If I don’t clarify I know people will mistake what I just said. Are babies born selfish? Do you have to teach them to lie? Do you have to teach them to be greedy? No, it is a natural byproduct of the fall (or original sin) to be selfish and want what you think will make you happy. We are born into a fallen and fragmented world where our desires are selfish while we are still spiritually dead. When we become alive in Christ at salvation we are new creature with a desire to please God more than ourselves and so we struggle against the flesh’s desires to the glory of God. So before salvation when we are spiritually dead, it is possible that someone’s selfish desires might be made manifest in homosexuality just like it is with any other sin. I would submit then that we should stop arguing with someone who says they were born with those desires and we should respond with statements like, “I was born with selfish desires, I have stolen, I have lied and I have been greedy and then someone lifted up the name of Jesus by telling me the gospel story. Then the Holy Spirit drew me to recognize my need of Jesus' imputed righteousness and I made a public confession that Jesus Christ is Lord and believed in my heart that God raised Him from the dead. Immediately, I was justified in God’s eye by the blood of Christ. Then the strangest thing happened, through no strength I possessed, I supernaturally began to desire to bring Glory to my amazingly gracious God. I knew I couldn't do that as an unrepentant sinner. Have I sinned since coming to Christ? Yes, but I repent of them and move on. I confess I am a sinner (maybe, even their chief) but sin is not my lifestyle. I do not live in sin or under its power anymore. God wants the same for you.” But why am I not mad about the SCOTUS’ ruling? I wholeheartedly believe the church’s stance on gay marriage has hurt our position more than it has helped it. We have hated gay marriage so much, but the problem is not gay marriage. Gay marriage is only a symptom. So here are two questions, I have asked myself in light of the ruling on gay marriage. As a Christian, should I be upset about the ruling? No, it’s a free country and even more important than that God gives people the freedom to sin. Does that mean I think gay marriage is a good thing? No, because I believe it is a slippery slope of relativism and danger for all humanity. It is a breakdown of society that can result in very real obstacles to freedom of religion, such as “the establishing of households that guarantee that a child will have either no father or no mother; the transformation of children's education to include the validation of all forms of "marriage"; the continued deconstruction of gender distinctions, leading to all kinds of societal confusion; and much, much more”( Dr. Michael Brown) So, where do I differ from many regarding how I go about my disagreement with Gay Marriage. CONSISTENCY. Plain and simple. Consistency with the handling of God’s word and the living of the Christian life. People with open marriages, have the same sort of moral problems. An open marriage is not a marriage that has scriptural approval, yet I don’t hear anyone wanting to legally oppose their union. Why? I am trying to be brief but there are other sins that we don’t fight with such bitter hatred. Why is that? When you bring up promiscuity, adultery in the church or various other sins that are going on, those same inconsistent people say things like you cannot legislate morality, but isn’t that exactly what Old Testament Law including the 10 commandments did? Isn’t that why we have some of those laws still in effect in our modern laws of the land? But here is the thing, to whom was the law given? To whom did God give his rules on marriage? Was it to His people? Or was it to the world? To whom did God entrust His word? I am sure there were tons of Greek laws that allowed things that were inconsistent with a Christian worldview, but do we read about the apostles try to change Greek law? Or were they about changing people’s hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit? So the biblical precept is that Christians not engage in homosexual marriage or homosexuality. However, it is not a biblical precept to try to convince unregenerate (unsaved) people of a biblical moral standard. They cannot understand that without the help of the Holy Spirit. We only make their hearts harder when our focus is in the wrong place and we try to convict them of their sin. What we need to do is to share our faith which includes the statement that none of us are good. Only God is good and through the power of Jesus’ sacrificial work on the cross He covers us with His goodness. There is no moral standard that we can ascribe to, that will result in our salvation. Paul put it this way: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10) Good works are a response to grace not a pathway for salvation. So it’s pretty clear. My opinion on homosexuality doesn't matter, and honestly neither does yours. I defer to God. God has spoken, The Scriptures declare it is sin. So is adultery. So is theft. So is unforgiveness. I was a sinner when I came into covenant with Jesus for my Salvation, but thank God the Holy Spirit is sanctifying me so I don't do the things I used to do. In the same way, certainly we welcome a homosexual to listen to the good news, but if they want to respond to the good news, they cannot stay in their sin. Let’s come to a biblical understanding that gay marriage is not the problem; the sinner’s heart is the problem and Jesus is the solution. Furthermore, let’s pray for the people of the church to be changed by a purity of biblical doctrine so we can approach this issue and all others the way the Lord would want us to approach them. “But who do you say that I am?”, Jesus asked the disciples and I would submit the question has to come to anyone who claims to be a disciple of Christ.
Here is the story: Jesus asked the disciples a few questions that have echoed throughout history. And the way a person responds will determine whether or not he or she is a true disciple. First Jesus asks, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” The disciples respond with various answers like, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets” This is a pretty interesting response. John the Baptist, what an ignorant answer, talk about mailing it in. John and Jesus lived at the same time and were seen together. How could Jesus be John? “Elijah, Jeremiah or one of the other prophets” Here the people are saying that Jesus is just another “Johnny-come-lately” prophet who wants to disturb the peace around here. Just like John, he calls us a “brood of vipers”. Just like John, he is saying that we have to repent. Just like John, he is saying we can’t rely on our relation to Abraham. Like all the other prophets, he is saying we have to change. Saying we can’t follow God and be the master of our own lives. Just like all of the rest of them, he’ll be killed if he keeps it up. Next Jesus asks, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon speaks up, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is foundational. Jesus responds by blessing Simon, and he says this was a spiritual statement revealed by the Father and not a statement that originated in the flesh. Then Jesus does something fantastic, he changes Simon’s name to Peter. It is important to note that when God changed someone’s name, it almost always launched a new identity. Abram became Abraham because he was going to be a, “a father of many nations” and Sarai became Sarah, no longer argumentative but now a princess. Jacob would no longer be a “supplanter” but now named Israel, a testimony to the prevailing God. Peter or means a little rock or stone. This statement that he made, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” was the rock or foundation on which He would build His church. Those who could make this statement in all honesty were saying it by the Holy Spirit and were part of the Christian Church. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3, “no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.” Now once again these questions come to us, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Some prosperity “name-it-claim-it” types present a Christ, which is not really Christ at all. More of a Cosmic Santa Clause who grants close-to-the-door parking spots to the overcomers, makes sure you are always rich and in perfect health. They present a version of Christianity, again no Christianity at all, that promises no pain, no suffering, no sickness, no need to trust God for your daily bread because of your enormity of wealth. Dear friends, this is NOT THE GOSPEL! This is BAD CHRISTOLOGY! If Jesus meant for us to live like they promise, then why after the appearance of the New Heaven, New Earth and Holy City in Revelation 21; why does the voice from the throne say, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Why did Jesus say, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33 Why did the Lord tell Ananias, speaking of Paul, “For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name”? (Acts 9:15-17) Then in 2 Corinthians 11, Paul said he suffered, “far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death. Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.” Wait a second there are false brothers? ….Yes indeed, just like there are false prophets and false teachers. Why did everyone that served Christ in the New Testament face real troubles time after time? Does that sound like what the televangelists are teaching and preaching? Dear Friends, If Jesus is not Prophet, Priest, King, Brother, Friend, Lord, Son of God, Word of God made flesh then He is not anything. If He is not everything the scripture claims Him to be than He is nothing.” It is best stated in C.S. Lewis’ trilemma from his book Mere Christianity, in which he says: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronising nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” So the question comes to us, “Who do you say that I am?” |
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