I am going to assume that by now many of you know that I am one to speak my mind. What you may not know is that I also reflect and think about what I say and write. (Jam. 1:19) Many times I want to speak about a "topic" and do not, because I have learned to submit my "actions" to the guidance of the Holy Spirit--after all, that is what every believer In Christ should do. So, over the past few days I have prayed about whether or not I should say ANYTHING about the latest news concerning the basketball player who is has "come out of the closet". The main reason why I did NOT want to make a comment is because I have long believed that MOST people do NOT want the TRUTH and I know that The Bible states in I Cor. 2:14, "Now the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned". Which means that if I discuss the "Scripture" with those who are not led by the Spirit, they will not receive it's teachings because the Bible is foolishness to them. I also thought about those who misuse, misquote, misrepresent and misinterpret The Bible and will continue to do so, but I do KNOW that the Word as it is written is TRUE and is NOT left to "someones OWN interpretation"(1 Pet. 1:20-21). Within the Bible is the prophecy that MEN would attempt to "corrupt" others with the Scripture. (Matt. 24:11 & Col. 2:8) and that even Satan tried to "corrupt" Jesus with the Scripture (Matt. 4:1-11)-(we know that was NOT possible).
As Born-again believer IN CHRIST and as a Minister of the Gospel who has studied under other learned men who taught me the Bible in its original CONTEXT, I hold to a literal translation of God's Word as understood in CONTEXT. I also believe the WORD when it teaches that it does NOT help anyone to argue the BIBLE because it only leads to "more ungodliness". (II Tim. 2:14-16) The Bible must be taught in LOVE from a pure heart and in good conscience and a sincere faith. (I Tim. 1:5) So, because I have "studied to show myself approved" by "equipping" myself with the correct knowledge of God's Word, and purposed in my mind and heart to do THIS in LOVE, I offer The WORDS of Scripture as MY RESPONSE to the latest "news". (II Tim. 2:15)
God's love for mankind sent His Son to the Cross. (John 3:16&21). Jesus said there are two commandments: Love GOD and our neighbor as ourselves. (Matt. 22:37&40) God knew that ALL believers would be tempted to sin in ALL kinds of WAYS, and He was so concerned that He gave us instructions on how to handle SIN--with LOVE, REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS. (Matt. 18:7-35) Yet, many today choose to "handle" SIN as though it is NOTHING and instead of calling IT WHAT IT IS, choose to AGREE WITH IT and OKAY IT. (Rom. 1:32) We are all sinners FOR as long as we remain ON EARTH. We however, should NEVER make it a "PRACTICE" TO SIN. For example to make a declarative statement that "I am a GAY", is indeed saying that you will make it a "PRACTICE" to sin. The Apostle Paul who was called by Jesus to preach to the Gentiles wrote, "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator....For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing SHAMELESS ACTS with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their errors. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a DEBASED MIND to do what OUGHT NOT TO BE DONE."(Rom.1:24-28) The Bible tell us that God's Mercy is NOT giving us what we deserve and I thank God that for EACH of US---we understand that it is because of HIS GRACE God allows US to make a CHOICE NOT TO SIN. "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?"(Rom. 6:1&2) -What we are NOT FREE to DO is decide the consequences of our CHOICE. While we KNOW that God is THE JUDGE of ALL SIN and that HE DOES FORGIVE US WHEN WE SIN AND REPENT OF OUR SINS DAILY, HE did leave us without HIS Holy Scriptures to guide us into the TRUTH about SIN. If you find yourselves in a disagreement with others about ANY SIN, those who are IN CHRIST should not be surprised when we face persecution for OUR BELIEFS. (I Tim. 3:12).
There is no need to discuss your disagreement with me on this post or to DELETE ME as YOUR friend, because these words are NOT just my OPINION--this post is based on my surrendering to the teachings found in the Words of Scripture--which is NOT left to MY or "someones OWN interpretation"(I Pet. 1:20). The Bible, as it is written has ONE interpretation when READ and understood in CONTEXT. You and I may NOT like what it SAYS in some Scriptures, but that does NOT change its original and ONLY MEANING. Each MAN must decide for himself whether he/she desires to be "subject" to what The Bible teaches. In that choice, we should be led by the Spirit of God in obedience to do "what is right" (Gal. 5:16-20) in God's eyes. This will only happen when and if we recognize GOD as MASTER, Jesus as Savoir and the Holy Spirit as our TEACHER. (John 14:15-26) God does NOT approve of anyone forcing ANYBODY to follow His COMMANDS and THIS IS NOT MY INTENTION AT ALL. We are to Trust in GOD out of LOVE, not fear or compulsion. If however, you would like MORE understanding and have questions or concerns, I would be delighted to have that discussion with ANYONE who wants to do so, IN LOVE. I also ask that you take NOTE of what Ezekiel must have felt when God told him---"You shall speak My words to them, whether they hear or whether they refuse, for they are rebellious". But also NOTE what Jesus told his disciples in Matt. 10:14&15 - "And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!". Finally, either we BELIEVE all of the BIBLE or BELIEVE none of IT. May God be with you in your decision--I made my DECISION over 22 years ago, I believe ALL of it and I am at Peace with that decision. To God be the Glory.
