Every so often I hear or read something that I totally am turned off by or I don't agree with or something about it makes me angry. I don't have the full information but what I get is enough. This blog post is for that-it's for those things that you can't investigate fully on account that you have your own responsibilities but your making your own observations of Christianity in today's society and the ills associated with it. This post is for putting my 'opinion' out there because really I think it just needs to happen.
I'm so sad to hear of leaders who edit or remove their 'opinion' on biblical standards of sexual conduct because they were defending the 'straight' manner of lifestyle. I think the church needs to hear people stand for their convictions rather than back down because something truthful is a stumbling block to someone else. The church is set apart and holy. Teaching God's word requires humility and humbleness of character. Confronting sin and letting the spirit work through that and stating your opinion and position even when it creates disturbance for other people must be approached very carefully and I think it is right to 'define your position when you know it'. I think it is good because those growing up that are going to be leaders who are not dealing with deviant sexual behavior need to be affirmed in that. Face it-we are all sinners but truthfully we have to turn to Jesus. We do not live to please others. If someone is disturbed they need help to overcome that. Our ministries need to be crucified when we are willing to promote our 'stuff' and edit it on account that someone else doesn't like what we say. Marcion edited his stuff and scholars are very clear on how well they affirm him on account of it. We need to affirm what we believe, not hypocritically, and with much love and care and consideration. The church sounds like they live in regret for their convictions. I don't think God called us to apologize for living right and stating that we love Jesus in a time when people have left the sexual ethic in groups and are trying to tell people that didn't go along with it how to speak. Preach Jesus. There is only one way-we can't make it up and sola scriptura means we back what the bible says. Opinions that are based on biblical understanding should be stated. I believe we are suppose to disagree because we do not all hold to the same faith and Jesus really said to the Jews in John 10 "You are not my sheep." I think the bible is clear and every issue is a matter of obedience and prayer and deciding if you want to do it God's way or your own. If you are not sure if you want it your way or God's then I think the real answer is to go back to the basics and see who God is and who we are and who God calls us to be. No one can follow Jesus as a disciple and as a Christian and live in rebellion to His ways. Sometimes we need help with the things we struggle with and we need to ask for that help and God allows us to suffer in it because He truly does not want us to live in sin. He gives life and peace to those He loves and in this life there is suffering but Jesus said, "Take heart, I have overcome the world." If editing words in order to please others causes a stumbling block for someone suffering is it also hindering the one pursing Christ and needing affirmation that he or she is doing what is right? So one person thinks it is a stumbling block and another person sees the righteousness of God in it. Apparently, our sensitivity runs so deep that our neighbor is convincing us to change what we say. Is it arrogance or is it holiness that causes us to speak the way we do? Listening is a deep task and it requires us to set aside our personal beliefs to hear what another says. When we hear what another says we then decide where we stand on the validity of the issue. If you live your life to please your hearers you fall in a trap and loose the freedom God gives to testify to the gracious work of God in your own life. A few editing here and corrections there...did we change our minds or are we clarifying our beliefs which align with God's truth? People already speak about how much they don't like doctrine. Yet, doctrinal issues that are violated costs something much deeper...it costs the church the knowledge of God, fellowship with each other, and the unity of the brethren. Why not give your opinion? Why not state you believe the way that is less traveled and the narrow road? It's not always better to stop disturbances because we have to learn to overcome them and we have to let the spirit of God teach us what sin is and what it means to receive correction. We have to let people split, we have to let people put down our own work, or we have to let people do something else until they are ready to hear from God. If they hear the same message from someone else a little later down the road and come to a decision of agreement then how many bridges will be built when one day they turn around and say, "I did not believe that then but I do now. Thank you for staying true to your beliefs." God changes lives and hearts so what is the regret for the work that was done a decade ago. I would be asking more about the regret of what was not accomplished and dedicated to God than what was already dedicated to God...God also states the consequences of persistent sin: branches that do not bear fruit are thrown into the fire. So, what's the cost here?
My point more or less is whether it is LGBTQ, gossip, anger, adultery, fornication, profanity, living to please someone or something else rather than God-all this is going to lead to regret and God's word is clear for those who are ready to listen and who have a repentant heart so don't be ashamed to speak the truth even when the walls press in on you and don't change your answer to please your neighbor, perfect it, but don't change it.
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