Living In Training

I guess I am a bigot

I woke up this morning to being called this…a bigot.  Not necessarily directly, but this blanket statement was made regarding anyone who differed from this guys point of view. 

Specifically, the individual was suggesting that anyone who believes what I believe and apparently acts in the way that I do towards those in the homosexual community, is a bigot.  This definition is false. I am not completely intolerable of other’s beliefs and opinions.  No, the reality is that I am quite tolerable of people having whatever beliefs and opinions they want. Do I think mine is right? Yes, of course I do; but that does not mean that I am unable to respect those who differ from me and treat them kindly.  That is what Jesus did after all. He hung out with those who were not like Him. He was kind to those who didn’t believe in Him. I believe that I have mimicked Jesus’ example thus far with those who are gay or lesbian.  I can’t imagine being deliberately unkind to someone who is dealing with this issue.  Do I disagree with their behavior? Yes. But does that make me any better than them? No. So unless a perfect situation arose, in which neither the person nor I were being disrespectful of the other’s belief, I pretty much wouldn’t even bring it up. I am however prepared to defend my belief about homosexuality:

First: I believe in the One True God of the Bible. He created the universe and everything in it. He created all human beings and because of His amazing love for us, He gave us the opportunity to choose Him back. True love does not force itself upon the other person. So we have the right to choose God or to not choose Him. If we choose Him, we are saying “I love you” back to God, and we show Him by obeying what He has told us to do. This is the foundation of which I live my entire life from (hopefully, I am still not perfect and I do sin, but by God’s grace I do not live in habitual sin). 

Second: God created marriage and God created sex.  Specifically, God created sex to be for the marriage. This was defined in Genesis 2:18-24.  God created Eve to be Adam’s wife and then they had sex and Adam sang about it….basically haha. Anyways, any sex outside of marriage is sin; it doesn’t matter what parties are involved. If it is outside of marriage, it is sin and it is unnatural because God did not create sex for outside of marriage. (Hebrews 13:4, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Exodus 29:14 are just a few verses about this. There are a bunch more).

Third: Since God created marriage, human beings cannot change it.  We are God’s creation and therefore we don’t have the right to say “I don’t like God’s creation or definition of his creation. I’m changing it so everyone can get married to whoever they want.” We can’t do that.  What if you created something, say a painting? It would absurd for the painting to say to you, the creator of the painting, “I don’t like what you did here. I’m changing myself.” The same thing applies to us trying to change the definition of something God created; it is absurd.  We cannot change His definition of marriage which is one man and one woman in covenant with each other. (Genesis 2:18-24)

Fourth: Because God allows us to make our decisions in life (we are free to choose Him and His ways, or we are free to choose our own ways), I too believe this is true.  Thus, while I believe it is wrong (because of point 2), I do believe that people can make their own decisions about how they want to live their lives and if that means they want to be homosexual, that means that they are free to do so. However, the line is drawn at changing the definition of marriage because we, as created beings, are not free to do so. You can live how you want to, but you cannot change something that God created. Therefore, it is vitally important for me to vote in such a way that protects Biblical marriage.  If I don’t do that, I am going to be held accountable by God for deciding that I no longer want to do what He wants; and since I am His created, I need to obey Him. 

So because I believe that people are free to make their own decisions and am “tolerant” of them doing so, I guess I am a bigot. I guess I am a bigot for thinking that people are free to follow God or not follow Him. I guess I am a bigot for believing in Jesus and wanting to obey Him at whatever costs.  I guess I am a bigot because I haven’t singled out just homosexuality but have instead said that all sex outside of marriage is wrong.  I guess I am bigot for treating friends who are homosexual just as I would any other friend who is straight.  I guess I am a bigot for not believing the same thing that the world believes. I guess I am bigot for voting according to my beliefs (just as everyone else gets too). I guess I am bigot for thinking that changing something God created is stupid.  I guess I am bigot for being comfortable with not being my own God and not making my own rules.  I guess I am bigot.  

Thank you for pointing that out to me, good sir. I would have never known. Thank you for being so “tolerant” of my beliefs too by the way.  Thank you for believing that I have a right to vote according to my own convictions just as you have the right too. Thank you for calling me a kind name because I believe something different than you.  Thank you for allowing me to have a differing opinion than you.  Thank you for being the perfect example of tolerance… Thank you for showing me what bigotry actually is. You really proved your point. 

How do you know if you are a Christian?

Here is what the Bible says:

1 John 2: 3-6: We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

So how do you know if you actually know Jesus or not? If you are a true Christian? The answer is pretty simple, but no one can answer it for you. You have to decide this for yourself by honestly answering some questions. First, have you truthfully placed your trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior? Check out Romans 10:9. Next, do your actions show that you know and love Jesus? His death as payment for our sins, should bring about an immense love for Him.  Jesus says “if you love me, you will obey my commands” (John 14:15). His commands can be found in Exodus 20:1-17 and can be simplified to “love God, and love others” (Matthew 22:37-39). So do you truly love Jesus and follow His commands? Do you live in a way that is pleasing to Jesus? Do you feel at peace with Jesus? And do you live for Jesus? 

….that should be your answer….

My Advocate.

1 John 2: 1- 2: My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

I’ve been so encouraged lately as I have been faithfully reading the Word everyday. It is amazing how no matter how many times you read through the Bible, you always find something new.  As I read today, I came across this gem.  It is so encouraging to the Believer to know that when we fail, we are not left in failure; we are restored through grace. Jesus is our Redeemer and our access to the Father.  The message that Jesus is our “propitiation for our sins” means that He has “appeased” or he has brought our sin to a state of peace - in other words, he has dealt with our sin for us. What a blessing it is to live in Jesus and in communion with our Father! To live in Christ is to live in peace, in rest, and in hope. Thank you Jesus for being my Savior. 

Tender Encouragement from Hebrews

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1b-2a). 

I am perfect, but imperfect, but perfect.

I came across these verses this morning and was really encouraged by them. 

Hebrews 10:14, 17:

14 For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

17 Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”

By Jesus’ death, we can be made perfect if we place our faith in Him.  This perfection is seen by God, our Judge.  He is absolute perfection and we must be perfect in order to join Him in Heaven - without placing our faith in Jesus, we can’t ever achieve perfection on our own.  That separates us from God because His perfection can not be compromised by any imperfection; even a good person’s imperfection.  Thus, we must accept the gift of salvation which provides us perfection in Jesus. He freely offers that to all. 

Now here is the kicker. While God sees those of us who have trusted in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior as perfect, we are still far from being perfect here on earth.  And yet as we confess our sins, God chooses not to remember or hold them against us; we remain perfect in His sight. That is amazing! How much more should we desire to obey Jesus in light of this blessed and gracious gift he has given us!

The greatest desire of mine

I want to be more like Jesus!

He is so wonderful and so perfect! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Remember during this time, that Jesus is the only reason we even celebrate this time.  All the presents, all the lights and all the trees are just extra things that we have added. Jesus is the Reason for this Season - perhaps that sounds a little cheesy, but it is so true.  Jesus was born for one reason: to die, so we could live.  He freely did this because of His love for us. Don’t miss out on receiving Him. Don’t reject the most important Gift ever offered to you.  

It is so easy to accept the Gift of Jesus. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). Just believe in Him. 

Don’t miss out! Enjoy this Christmas for it’s true meaning. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (Jesus, His birth is celebrated at Christmas), that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16).