The second part to my "lukewarm" blog.
(study/lesson taken from "Crazy Love")
As I see it "lukewarm Christian" is an oxymoron. An oxymoron, if you don't know, is two words with opposite meanings describing one word such as jumbo shrimp, little big man, silent scream, etc.
If you are lukewarm, then you are not a Christian. Bam. There, I said it.
In Revelation 3:15-18, Jesus says - "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot or cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, "I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing." But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes so you can see."
This passage is where our term lukewarm comes from. Jesus is saying because the church is lukewarm, he is going to spit them from his mouth. There is no gentle translation of the word spit in Greek. It means hurling, retching, gagging. Have you ever tried something that was so horrible you couldn't help but gag and want to spit it out. That is how Jesus is saying lukewarm churches make him feel. Many people think Jesus is talking to believers. Why? Jesus wouldn't want to spit out part of his kingdom. He wouldn't call us, who believe in Him, wretched, pitiful and naked. Why would he describe saints like that? Lukewarm Christian - no such thing.
Jesus' call to commitment is quite clear. He wants all or nothing. The thought of a person calling himself Christian without being a devoted follower of Christ is absurd.
Let's just lay all the cards on the table, shall we? We are willing to make changes to our lives only if we think it affects our salvation. I don't know how many times I have heard - "If I get a divorce, will I still go to heaven?" "If someone commits suicide, will they still go to heaven?" "If I have sex with my girlfriend, will I still go to heaven?" "Do I have to be baptized to be saved?" "If I am ashamed to talk about Christ, will he REALLY deny knowing me?"
To me these questions reveal the state our hearts are in. We are more concerned about getting to heaven then having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus said - "If you love me, you will obey what I command."
I love Matt. We have been married almost 15 years. I do things just because I love him. They are small in comparison but I think of him often. I love him so I do things for him without expecting anything in return and he does the same. I do them merely because I adore him. That is what we should do with Jesus. We should obey his commandments merely because we love him - not what we get in return.
James says - "You believe there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that and shudder." It isn't enough to believe in God - the devil and his minions believe in God.....God doesn't want us to have a good theology. He wants us to know and LOVE Him. First John says - "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, 'I know him', but does not do what he commands is a LIAR, and the truth is not in him." (emphasis added).
In Luke is reads - "Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." EVERYTHING.
The last thing Jesus told us was to go into the world and make disciples of all nations teaching them to obey all he had commanded. He didn't say - "But hey, if that is too much to ask, tell them to become Christians, you know, the people who get to go to heaven without having to commit anything."
In these two blogs (lessons), I don't want true believers to begin to doubt their salvation. In the midst of our failed attempts at loving Jesus, his grace covers us. His mercies are new every morning. His grace is sufficient. I am not saying that when you mess up, it means you never were really a genuine Christian. If that were true no one would follow Christ.
If one hundred people represented the entire world's population, 53 of those would live on less than $2 a day. Simple buying a book is what the majority of people in the world live on in a week's time. We are a blessed nation. We use the terms "broke" and "poor" when we can't go to McDonald's with our friends. We are neither of those - we are stinking rich. We never have to go hungry, we have clean water, running toilets and a knowledge of Jesus - we are filthy rich in comparison to most.
Prosperity can harden one's heart. It can make us not look towards God. It makes us have a false sense of security.
When Jesus was talking to a wealthy person who wanted to go to heaven, Jesus told him to sell everything and give it to the poor then follow him. The wealthy man was quite wealthy and didn't want to. Jesus told him "How hard is it for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God!" He says it's as hard as a camel to go through the eye of the needle, in other words - impossible!
*Side note - in Biblical times, the merchants would ride their camels from city to city. The fortified cities had large stone walls surrounding them. They had a 'back entrance' for the merchants to go through which was merely a small cubby, short and narrow. They would have to get off their camel, unpack everything off of it, then go through with their supplies, then get their camel. Then do it again when they left. So they knew a camel going through the eye of the needle was no doubt IMPOSSIBLE.
God wants our best, deserves our best and demands our best. How often do we give God the scraps off our plate? How often to we throw a couple of crumbled dollars in the offering plate or how often do we go about our day then as we are wore out, lying in bed we offer God up a few minute prayer before falling asleep?
In Malachi's time, the priests thought their sacrifices were sufficient. God demanded the best of their sacrifices (example - sheep). He wanted one without blemish, without fault - a 4-H prize winning sheep. But the priests wanted to keep those to breed and make more spotless sheep. So they would offer their lame ones and figure that was good enough. They assumed God was pleased because instead of giving nothing they gave SOMETHING.
God describes this practice as evil (Malachi 1:8).
God is holy. He created the universe. He gave you life and determines if you take another breath. He created the oceans, the creatures and everything that abides on our planet. He is holy and perfect. He deserves the best.
"But something is better than nothing!" Some protest.
Is it?
Have you ever received praise because someone felt guilty or felt obligated? Doesn't that make you feel awkward and you wished they had never said anything at all? Why would God be any different?
In Malachi God says - "Oh that there were one among you who would shut the hates that you might not uselessly kindle fire on my altar! I am not pleased with you....nor will I accept an offering from you." The week sacrifices were insulting to God and he wanted the temple doors shut.
We don't do sacrifices anymore because Jesus, the ultimate spotless lamb, was the last sacrifice. However, we offer up worship and prayer to God. How many times do we go to church on Sunday and worship half-heartedly. Do we go and give our all? I don't care if you are cartwheeling across the floor.....to God, if that is your all, he is pleased. If you stand there, eyes closed and don't clap or move but are giving it all to Him - then he is pleased. You have to give your all, no matter how you do it. If you are flippantly worshiping, God says he would rather you just sit down. Don't insult God with half-hearted worship. I wonder how many churches would have their doors shut in reference to Malachi???
God's definition of what matters is pretty straight forward. He measures our lives by how we love. Even a pastor can be successful if he has a good sermon, prays over people, makes the congregation laugh.......even if he offers no love. However Paul writes - "I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love I gain nothing. (1 Cor. 13:2-3). We are here to love - not much else matters.
What does God mean by love? He tells us in 1 Cor. 13:4-8, 13.
"Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing; but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.....faith, hope, and love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love."
Now - replace "love" with your name. By the end, don't you feel like a liar? I know I do. If I am meant to represent what love is, then I often fail to love.
It is easy to love those that love us in return. It is easy to invite those we love to church but what about those that we don't like? What about that person that you avoid and a bad taste is in your mouth just at the mention of their name? THAT is who we are to love and reach out to. Those that need our love the most, not those that deserve it.
How many of us would really leave our families, jobs, lives, friends, home, surrounding and connections if Jesus asked us to. No explanation, no direction - just follow.
I would like to think I would but in reality, I am not sure. God of the universe. The creator of all things, He who is holy and pure and righteous we often say "Well, I am not sure you are worth it....I really like my care, my sin habits, my money....I am not sure I want to give it all up even if it means I get You."
We we put it plainly like that most of us hope we would choose God. But we often compare God on a scale with our worldly things. We disgust God when we weigh and compare Him against the things of this world.
No wonder Jesus sayd He will spit lukewarm people out of his mouth!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Lukewarm doesn't quench an insatiable thirst - pt.1
I have been teaching the youth quite a bit lately due to Matt's work schedule. I don't mind it but sometimes I think how in the world do Pastor's do it? How do they come up with sermon after sermon, lesson after lesson? I love teaching but am so thankful Matt is taking over this Sunday :)
Anyway, here is last Sunday's lesson and I thought it really hit us in the gut, therefore I wanted to share. It is a study and my notes taken from "Crazy Love".
Lukewarm doesn't satisfy a thirst
Fact is, Jesus just wasn’t interested in those who faked it.
When the seed is spread among the thorns, it is received but soon suffocated out by life’s worries, riches and pleasures. But when the seed is sown in good soil – it grows, takes root and produces fruit – explain this in a little more detail.
Anyway, here is last Sunday's lesson and I thought it really hit us in the gut, therefore I wanted to share. It is a study and my notes taken from "Crazy Love".
Lukewarm doesn't satisfy a thirst
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again and then
in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." – Matthew 13:44
A man joyfully sold all that he had so that he could obtain
the only thing that mattered. He knew
that what he had stumbled on (heaven) was more valuable than anything he had so
he went for it with everything in him.
This kind of enthusiastic response to God’s live is appropriate yet is a
contrast to our typical response.
In the US
numbers impress us. We gauge success of
an event by how many people attend or even come forward. We measure churches by how many numbers they
boast and are wowed by large crowds. From my experience, when I go to meet new pastors - their first question is "How big is your youth group?" That is soon followed by "How large is your church?" They want to either be impressed by my number or validate theirs.
Jesus questioned authenticity of this kind of record
keeping. According to an account in Luke
chapter 8, when a crowd started following Jesus, he spoke in parables – so that
those who really weren’t listening would get it.
When crowds gather today, speakers are extraconcious of
communicating in a way that is accessible to everyone so everyone
understands. Speakers don’t use Jesus’
tactics to eliminate people who are not sincere seekers.
Fact is, Jesus just wasn’t interested in those who faked it.
In the parable of the sower, Jesus explained that the seed
is the truth, or Word of God. When the
seed is flung into the path, it is heard but quickly stolen away. When the seed is tossed into the rocks, no
roots take hold = there is only the appearance of depth and growth because of
the good soil but it is only surface deep.
When the seed is spread among the thorns, it is received but soon suffocated out by life’s worries, riches and pleasures. But when the seed is sown in good soil – it grows, takes root and produces fruit – explain this in a little more detail.
My caution to you is this – Do not assume you are good soil.
Most American church goers are the soil that chokes the seed
because of all the thorns. Thorns are
anything that distracts us from God.
When we want God and a bunch of other stuff that means we have thorns in
our soil. A relationship with God simply
cannot grow when money, sins, activities, sports teams, addictions and
commitments are piled on top of it.
Has you relationship with God actually changed the way you
live? Do you see evidence of God’s
kingdom in your life or are you choking it out slowly by spending too much time
in things of this world?
Are you satisfied in being godly enough to get yourself into
heaven or to look good in comparison to others?
Or can you saw with Paul that you want to know Christ and the power of
his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like
him in death? (Phil 3:10)
I mean I would rather have that scripture end in becoming
like him in his resurrection. That is
the Jesus I want to picture myself like.
Not the suffering, on the cross Jesus.
But this went against everything I was reading in the bible. I quickly found that the American church is a
difficult place to fit in if you want to live out New Testament
Christianity. The goals of American
Christianity are often a nice marriage, children who don’t swear, and a good
church attendance. Taking the words of
Christ literally and seriously is rarely considered. That’s for the radicals and those who go
overboard. Most of us what a balanced
like we can control that does not involve suffering.
Would you describe yourself as totally in love with
Christ? Or do the words half hearted,
lukewarm or partially committed fit better?
The bible says to test ourselves so I am going to offer you
what a lukewarm, distracted, partially committed person would look like and as
we go over it, think about your life.
Not who you want to be but who you are now.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They attend church regularly. It is expected of them and is told that is
what good Christians do, so they go.
Isa 29:13
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They give money to charity and the church as long as it
doesn’t impinge on their standard of living.
If they have a little extra, they give….otherwise, they don’t.
Luke 21:1-4
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They tend to choose what is popular over what is right when
they are in conflict. They desire to fit
in both at church and outside of church; they care more about what people think
of their actions (like church attendance and giving) than what God thinks of
their hearts and lives.
Rev 3:1
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They don’t really want to be saved from sin; they want only
to be saved from the penalty of their sin.
They don’t believe that this new life Jesus offers is better than the
old sinful one.
Romans 6:1-2
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They are moved by stories of people who do radical things
for Christ yet they do not act. They
assume such actions are for extreme Christians, not average ones. Lukewarm people call radical what Jesus
expected of all his followers.
James 1:22
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They rarely share their faith with neighbors, coworkers, and
friends. They do not want to be rejected
nor do they want to make others feel uncomfortable by talking about religion.
Matt 10:32-33
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They gauge their morality or goodness by comparing
themselves with the secular world. They
feel satisfied because they may not be hard core for Jesus but they are nowhere
near as horrible as so-in-so.
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They say the love Jesus and he is indeed part of their lives
but only a part. They give him a section
of their time, money and thoughts. He
isn’t allowed to control their lives.
Luke 9:57-62
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They love God but do not love him with all their heart, soul
and strength. They would be quick to
assure you they try to love God that much but it really isn’t possible for the
average person. It is only for pastors
and missionaries.
Matt 22:37-38
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They love others but do not seek to love others as much as
they love themselves. Their love of
others typically is focused on those who love them in return. Their love is highly conditional and very selective
and often comes with strings attached.
Luke 14:12-14
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They will serve God and others but there are limits to how
far they will go or how much time, money or energy they are willing to give.
Luke 18:21-25
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They think about life on earth much more than eternity in
heaven. Daily life is focused on today’s
to do list or this week’s schedule or next month’s vacation. Rarely do they intently consider the life to
come.
Col
3:2
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They do whatever is necessary to keep them from feeling too
guilty. They want to do the bare minimum
to be good enough without it requiring too much of them.
Matt 13:44-46
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They feel secure because they attend church, made a
profession of faith at age 12, were baptized, and came from a Christian family,
live in America – whatever,
Just as the prophets in the OT warned Israel
they were not safe just because they lived in the land of Israel
so we are not safe just because we wear the label Christian.
Matt 7:21
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They do not live by faith.
Their lives are structured so they never have too. They don’t have to trust God if the
unexpected happens. They have a savings
plan, they have a retirement plan, they have life figured and mapped out. Their fridges are full, their health is good
and truthfully, their lives wouldn’t look much different if they stopped
believing in God all together.
Luke 12:16-21
LUKEWARM PEOPLE
They probably cuss, drink and partake in worldly things less
than average but besides that they really aren’t much different than the unbeliever.
Matt 23:25-28
This profile of a lukewarm Christian is not a complete
definition of what a Christian should look like nor is it intended to be used
to judge your fellow believers. Instead,
2 Cor 13:5 says – it is a call to examine yourselves to see whether you are in
the fail; test yourselves.
We are all messed up.
No one is totally immune to the behaviors in the examples. However there is a difference in whose life
is characterized by these habits and a life that is in the process of being
transformed.
If you wanted to join the Marines, you would see commercials
and advertisements showing them running, doing push ups, etc. If you hate running, you wouldn’t go and ask
them to modify the rules for you so you could run less or maybe do a few less
push up. That would be pointless and
stupid. Everyone knows if you sign up
for the marines you have to do whatever they tell you to do. In a sense, they own you.
Somehow this realization does not cross over to our thinking
about the Christian life. Jesus didn’t
say that if you wanted dot follow him you could do it in a lukewarm
manner. He said “take up your cross and
follow me” He also said – "Suppose a king
is about to go to war against another king.
Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with 10,000
men to oppose the one coming against him with 20,000? If he is not able, he will send a delegation
while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give
up everything he has cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:31-33)
Jesus asks for everything.
But we try to give him less.
Jesus said – Salt is good but if it loses its saltiness how
can it be made salty again? It is fit
neither for the soil nor for the manure pile, it is thrown out (Luke 14)
Jesus isn’t using a cute analogy here. He is addressing those who aren’t willing to
give everything. Who won’t follow him
all the way. He is saying that lukewarm
following is useless that it sickens our souls.
He is saying that this kind of salt isn’t even fit for a manure pile.
How would you like to hear the son of God say you would ruin
manure?
When salt is salty it helps manure become good fertilizer. But uncommitted, lukewarm faith is useless. It cannot even benefit manure.
When salt is salty it helps manure become good fertilizer. But uncommitted, lukewarm faith is useless. It cannot even benefit manure.
.....to be continued.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Wide grins and sticky fingers.....
Summer is over. Where the heck did it go?!
I swear time goes faster the older I get. Another birthday has come and gone (which was the suckiest birthday I have had in a long time coincidentally) and school is now approaching.
Time is going by so fast it is taking my breath away and I want just throw my hands up and yell "WHOA!" in hopes that it will slow down so I can catch my breath. I am not handling the change well. The other day my daughter was sitting down planning her "Sweet 16" birthday which isn't until next spring. Sixteen? Are you serious? Then I look at this time next year and Caleb will be 18. That scares the skittles right out of me. I know I should just enjoy the moments as they come but I can't help but dwell in what hasn't even happened yet.
Sometimes those thoughts are just overwhelming I want to cry. Where have my babies gone? I look at pictures and home videos and my heart physically hurts. I always joked how I couldn't wait for them to be 18 and out of the house. Now I tell them to stay as long as they want. They aren't just my kids; they are my friends.
I then look back and wish I had decided to have more children. Two just doesn't seem enough. Now that they are pushing adulthood (gulp), I can't help but long for another little one. I miss them holding onto just my forefinger as we walked across a parking lot. I miss their doe-eyed looks at the simplest things that amazed them. I miss Cheyenne being itty bitty and watching "The Big Comfy Couch" and when Loonette did the clock on the floor and hurried to tidied up, Cheyenne would get all excited and run around the living room like she was in a hurry to get it cleaned when in fact, she didn't pick a thing up! I miss Caleb sitting on the floor with his action figures and playing for hours with his imagination. I miss them getting excited for Matt to get home and they would rush to him with wide grins and sticky fingers.
I miss them calling me Mommy.
*sigh*
The desire to have another little one is so strong that I think about it all the time. At first I thought it was just a mid-life crisis. It seems silly to want to start over at the age I am at. I feel like someone should shake me and say - "Are you crazy?!" Maybe I am. However, the more the days pass the more that I want one so badly that I feel like crying because it may never come to pass. Then again.....maybe it will.
It is part of life and while I need to enjoy the seasons as they come, I can't help but feel saddened. My little ones are growing up and will soon go to college, get married and have little ones of their own. I will be an awesome grandma, just saying.
Until then, I have to try to not live in the past and not dwell in the future but just enjoy the now. I never knew being a mother would be this hard. I don't see how so many mothers before me have done it. There are days I don't think I am strong enough. However, I know that God will protect them whenever I am no longer there.
Until then......I will just cherish the moments I have and every now and then reminisce about Loonette and Molly, a clown and her dolly...on the Big Comfy Couch.
I swear time goes faster the older I get. Another birthday has come and gone (which was the suckiest birthday I have had in a long time coincidentally) and school is now approaching.
Time is going by so fast it is taking my breath away and I want just throw my hands up and yell "WHOA!" in hopes that it will slow down so I can catch my breath. I am not handling the change well. The other day my daughter was sitting down planning her "Sweet 16" birthday which isn't until next spring. Sixteen? Are you serious? Then I look at this time next year and Caleb will be 18. That scares the skittles right out of me. I know I should just enjoy the moments as they come but I can't help but dwell in what hasn't even happened yet.
Sometimes those thoughts are just overwhelming I want to cry. Where have my babies gone? I look at pictures and home videos and my heart physically hurts. I always joked how I couldn't wait for them to be 18 and out of the house. Now I tell them to stay as long as they want. They aren't just my kids; they are my friends.
I then look back and wish I had decided to have more children. Two just doesn't seem enough. Now that they are pushing adulthood (gulp), I can't help but long for another little one. I miss them holding onto just my forefinger as we walked across a parking lot. I miss their doe-eyed looks at the simplest things that amazed them. I miss Cheyenne being itty bitty and watching "The Big Comfy Couch" and when Loonette did the clock on the floor and hurried to tidied up, Cheyenne would get all excited and run around the living room like she was in a hurry to get it cleaned when in fact, she didn't pick a thing up! I miss Caleb sitting on the floor with his action figures and playing for hours with his imagination. I miss them getting excited for Matt to get home and they would rush to him with wide grins and sticky fingers.
I miss them calling me Mommy.
*sigh*
The desire to have another little one is so strong that I think about it all the time. At first I thought it was just a mid-life crisis. It seems silly to want to start over at the age I am at. I feel like someone should shake me and say - "Are you crazy?!" Maybe I am. However, the more the days pass the more that I want one so badly that I feel like crying because it may never come to pass. Then again.....maybe it will.
It is part of life and while I need to enjoy the seasons as they come, I can't help but feel saddened. My little ones are growing up and will soon go to college, get married and have little ones of their own. I will be an awesome grandma, just saying.
Until then, I have to try to not live in the past and not dwell in the future but just enjoy the now. I never knew being a mother would be this hard. I don't see how so many mothers before me have done it. There are days I don't think I am strong enough. However, I know that God will protect them whenever I am no longer there.
Until then......I will just cherish the moments I have and every now and then reminisce about Loonette and Molly, a clown and her dolly...on the Big Comfy Couch.
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Self gratification equals momentary happiness.....
As I hear about the Chick-Fil-A incident, I can't help but get fired up a bit. I have heard both sides and have listened with a non-judgmental ear. However, I get frustrated when I see self-proclaimed Christians say that people going to the establishment today is bashing the homosexual community. Do they even read the news?
First off, Chick-Fil-A was asked outright what their views were on homosexuality. Why would anyone bother asking a Christian business this question without realizing what their answer would be? They stated how they believe a marriage is between a man and a woman and how they stand behind biblical values. They followed up with how they will pray for the nation. Sounds pretty legit to me. However, word gets out and the homosexual community has exploded. Therefore, Christians have banded together to support this business. I, for one, would have went there today if I could have. I heard the lines were insanely long, I saw pictures posted on Facebook and heard amazing stories on how fellow believers banded together to support a fellow brother being persecuted for his beliefs. Not once did he say they wouldn't serve the homosexual community and not once did he state anything derogatory. He stated his belief when asked.
It amazes me how one side is saying they can do what they want and say what they want because of the First Amendment and yet they are condemning a man for the exact same thing. Seems like a bit of a double standard to me. *shrug*
I love everyone the best I can. I have a "love the sinner; hate the sin" mentality. I will love you as an individual because you are still a child of the most high God. However, I will not condone behavior that God deems unacceptable. There is a big difference between acceptance and tolerance. I will ACCEPT you for who you are, no matter your difference, no matter your struggles, no matter your sin......however, I will not tolerate your behavior. I will not compromise my beliefs to make you comfortable.
In 2 Timothy 3 it states - "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
I hear quite often - "as long as they are happy" or "as long as they aren't hurting anyone"....this is a 'lovers of themselves' mentality. We are meant to be happy; God wants us to be happy and prosperous but we also find joy and happiness in Him and His Word. If we live in a mentality of "as long as I am happy" that means anything is acceptable as long as I am happy and not hurting anyone. That is a dangerous water to tread. In my past I lived a life of self pleasing - did what I wanted, was happy, didn't care what anyone thought because I wasn't hurting anyone. I ended up down a path that I never want to trudge again. Self gratification is momentary happiness.
Is homosexuality wrong? I believe so. Am I going to treat someone differently because of it - no. However, I will not compromise my beliefs just so you are more comfortable. I won't compromise my values so that you are happy. I will love you and be your friend but if asked, I will give my thoughts. Jesus loved everyone when he walked this earth. He didn't segregate but he also laid it out in black and white as to what is acceptable and what is not.
So, I support Chick-Fil-A....I am not 'gay bashing' in my decision to support them. I am merely saying they answered the question honestly and with integrity. It isn't fair that their company is being persecuted for their faith.
Then again - it didn't seem fair for a man to be persecuted for HIS faith over 2,000 years ago.
First off, Chick-Fil-A was asked outright what their views were on homosexuality. Why would anyone bother asking a Christian business this question without realizing what their answer would be? They stated how they believe a marriage is between a man and a woman and how they stand behind biblical values. They followed up with how they will pray for the nation. Sounds pretty legit to me. However, word gets out and the homosexual community has exploded. Therefore, Christians have banded together to support this business. I, for one, would have went there today if I could have. I heard the lines were insanely long, I saw pictures posted on Facebook and heard amazing stories on how fellow believers banded together to support a fellow brother being persecuted for his beliefs. Not once did he say they wouldn't serve the homosexual community and not once did he state anything derogatory. He stated his belief when asked.
It amazes me how one side is saying they can do what they want and say what they want because of the First Amendment and yet they are condemning a man for the exact same thing. Seems like a bit of a double standard to me. *shrug*
I love everyone the best I can. I have a "love the sinner; hate the sin" mentality. I will love you as an individual because you are still a child of the most high God. However, I will not condone behavior that God deems unacceptable. There is a big difference between acceptance and tolerance. I will ACCEPT you for who you are, no matter your difference, no matter your struggles, no matter your sin......however, I will not tolerate your behavior. I will not compromise my beliefs to make you comfortable.
In 2 Timothy 3 it states - "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
I hear quite often - "as long as they are happy" or "as long as they aren't hurting anyone"....this is a 'lovers of themselves' mentality. We are meant to be happy; God wants us to be happy and prosperous but we also find joy and happiness in Him and His Word. If we live in a mentality of "as long as I am happy" that means anything is acceptable as long as I am happy and not hurting anyone. That is a dangerous water to tread. In my past I lived a life of self pleasing - did what I wanted, was happy, didn't care what anyone thought because I wasn't hurting anyone. I ended up down a path that I never want to trudge again. Self gratification is momentary happiness.
Is homosexuality wrong? I believe so. Am I going to treat someone differently because of it - no. However, I will not compromise my beliefs just so you are more comfortable. I won't compromise my values so that you are happy. I will love you and be your friend but if asked, I will give my thoughts. Jesus loved everyone when he walked this earth. He didn't segregate but he also laid it out in black and white as to what is acceptable and what is not.
So, I support Chick-Fil-A....I am not 'gay bashing' in my decision to support them. I am merely saying they answered the question honestly and with integrity. It isn't fair that their company is being persecuted for their faith.
Then again - it didn't seem fair for a man to be persecuted for HIS faith over 2,000 years ago.
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