Category: Faith

Why I Cannot Identify as a Gay Christian

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This article that appears below has caught me up like few articles really have. Consider your own identity, what you think makes you tick. Consider something you were born with and is part of you like your hand. Now, think about giving that identity up; think about walking away from that thing that makes you tick; think about cutting off your hand. I am re-blogging this article without any intention to address the controversial issue that resides inside. Consider the example as it might relate to any particular thing that might stand in the way of a closer relationship with Christ: riches, comfort, eating, career, popularity…. The Bible is pretty clear on the things that separate us from God – the things that we are tempted to pursue, embrace and hold on to. Consider that 1 Thessalonians 5:22 urges us to “abstain from evil”; and consider that the word, “abstain”, in the Greek means “to have one thing by separating from (letting go of) another”. We hold fast to Christ, by letting go of all that is not of Christ – that letting go includes our very selves.

timstephansen's avatarliberum servus.

So lately God has been on a roll with dropping little bombs filled with exactly what I need to hear, exactly when I need to hear it.

“Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.” – Luke 6:26

This was one of those bombs. I came across it innocently enough while reading an article online, and it annoyed me enough that I needed to look up the context.

Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets. But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full. Woe to you who are well-fed now, for you…

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Sealed with the Holy Spirit

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lightstock_108943_xsmall_user_7997290In Ephesians 1:13-14, Paul says that we have been “sealed in God with the Holy Spirit of promise who is given as a pledge of inheritance”.

We might be tempted to read this simply as flowery, but dogmatic language. I believe nothing could be further from the truth. Paul is talking about an act of God by which HE puts His stamp on US in a real, personal way, and even more than that….

Christians often talk about the promises of God that are in the Bible, but Paul talks about the “Holy Spirit of promise”. Continue reading “Sealed with the Holy Spirit” →

How Do We Present The Gospel?

As Christians, are we going to be like Peter, lopping off the centurion’s ear with a sword?

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“Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one’s first feeling, `Thank God, even they aren’t quite so bad as that,’ or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible? If it is the second then it is, I am afraid, the first step in a process which, if followed to the end, will make us into devils. You see, one is beginning to wish that black was a little blacker. If we give that wish its head, later on we shall wish to see grey as black, and then to see white itself as black. Finally, we shall insist on seeing everything – God and our friends and ourselves included – as bad, and not be able to stop doing it: we shall be fixed for ever in a universe of pure hatred.” – C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

We need to be very careful how we present the Gospel to the world. Please read this editorial. See the Gospel Coalition’s August article on Whether ISIS is Beheading Children. Back in August, there was some question whether the beheadings were really happening. It seems to be accepted as fact now, but the point of the article is important. We need to avoid being carried away with emotion and fleshy anger.

In that light this article is a must read! (A Christian Response to ISIS) This is an extreme example, but what of those who are “enemies” of Christ in culture, politics, whatever? What would Jesus do? How would Jesus respond? We need to think and pray about that.

Continue reading “How Do We Present The Gospel?” →

God’s Still Quiet Voice

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When I first gave my life to Christ and accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, I learned to hear His voice and to respond to it. I was in a perfect place to receive God. I had a lot of alone time. Within months, after returning to college, I also learned that not responding to His voice is easier than responding to it.

There are many demands, many louder voices and many distractions in our modern lives. Our world is like an MTV video; the images, thoughts, obligations and desires flash by in an unending stream of changing distractions. Unless I am continually going back to God, finding quiet time and seeking Him, His voice is usually drowned out. I have to choose God, or I will be responding to everything but God. Continue reading “God’s Still Quiet Voice” →

Angry God/Loving God

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Many people who have read the Bible (or say they have read the Bible) see only an angry, arbitrary and punishing God. Reading through the Old Testament can create that impression, but that would be a cursory reading that only scratches the surface. Most of us read things through the lens of our existing understanding. Our view of God depends not only on our understanding, but on where we stand.

People can be quick to criticize what they do not understand. We see that every day in comments about news events. People don’t know all the facts, but that doesn’t stop them from forming strong opinions and rushing to conclusions, and those conclusions are usually of the black and white variety. People who know all the facts, usually have a different, more nuanced view of those facts.

If you approach the Bible, or anything, with preconceived notions, there is little chance that you will come away with a different opinion than the one you have already formed. If you are willing to consider alternatives to those preconceived notions and open to understand them. Continue reading “Angry God/Loving God” →