To grow or just to maintain one must train.
That we neglect falls apart.
You have to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.
Everyone experiences in one way or another.
Give God the glory.
Let your shame draw you to the forgiveness of Jesus.
I have made an attempt to answer last week’s questions. You can read the answers in this blog post.
This week I am going to attemp to answers last week’s questions.
You can review the questions here.
The easy answer is to be lead by the question posed and answer either yes or no depending on what you believe. Most of the questions lead me to a yes answer with just a couple leading to a no answer. But I think I need to go into more depth than a simple affirmative or denial. I may not address each question individually but if you read or listen to the entire post/episode you will get the answer to each posed question.
The basics of my belief are that God is the sovereign creator of the universe and all it contains. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He came to earth, lived a perfect life, died for me that I might have a relationship with Him and live eternally with Him in heaven when I die. I believe that the Holy Spirit is the third member of the trinity and all three, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit are one and yet three.
I believe that the Bible is God’s inerrant word and is the only eternal, never changing truth. The Bible was written by man, inspired by God and breathed out through the work of the Holy Spirit.
I know and understand that not all (maybe few) hold the same beliefs as I and therefore will have a different point of view when answering the questions I posed last week. However, the basis of all my questions and the answers below are that my actions in life must reflect my beliefs or I am being hypocritical. The reality is that if God is truth then I do not have the right or the ability to change Him and so, therefore, I must change to reflect Him. Disregarding what people think of me or how they treat me I have no other choice but to follow what I believe is true from God’s word.
What in the world does this mean? Well, it means that I am not my own. I belong to Jesus Christ who paid for me through the shedding of His blood. My life is not my own but belongs to God. Therefore, I must conform to His word, to His truth and to His character. Some will see this as prison, closed minded and naive. I, however, believe that in this life I have found freedom like non-other.
I have the freedom to live, pure and simple. I have the freedom to forgive when wronged. I have the freedom to let others have an opinion that is different than mine. I have the freedom to love all people regardless of their actions or beliefs. I have the freedom to serve the downtrodden and mis-understood. I have the freedom to see all people, including myself, as imperfect sinners looking for a way. I have the freedom to show others that Jesus is that way and let them choose.
I have the freedom to not judge because not everyone will see Jesus life and truth as I do. I am heartbroken when they reject Jesus because I know the freedom He provides. However, my role is not to judge or condemn. That is left to God’s word, the Bible, and Him alone. I can agree with God’s judgement as it is written in scripture but I am not to wield that as a club to punish. That is not my right or responsibility.
There is a line, however, where I do have the right and responsibility to help others see the errors of their life. That line happens when a person gives their life to Christ. If a person calls themselves a Christian but fails to live according to God’s Holy Word then I am part of a family that assists in correcting that direction. God is still the truth and judge. We as the Family of God help each other to understand His truth and live accordingly. When I stray, others in the Family of God, can lovingly come along side me and show me the errors of my current path. This is the best part of family. God’s family or any other. Children are best raised to be their best when they are guided.
So, when an authority, be it parent, boss, government, court or judge, rule in such a way that I feel offended I have the freedom to live and love because it is not about me. I have already surrendered my identity to Jesus Christ. When rulings or law oppose the Bible I must follow God because He is the ultimate authority. If the result is a removal of my freedoms or life than I am required to make that sacrifice.
If you are even a little curious about what that kind of life looks like, don’t look at me. I will disappoint and fail because I am not perfect but a sinner. Spend time in God’s word, the Bible. Read about Jesus and how he lived. See how he approached, religious leaders, government and the people of His day. See His love and sacrifice. See His giving and serving. See Him do life differently than any human on the face of the planet. There is no denying His body of work.
Many will claim that Jesus was a good, moral teacher and be far from the truth He proclaims. He claimed to be the Son of God. He claimed to have created the universe. He claimed the truth of His death and resurrection. That is not a good man. That is either a lunatic of the highest order or the actual Son of God. You get to choose. I have made that choice and regardless of whether you choose the same as I I have the freedom to love you.
You can listen to my microcast that accompanies this post at I’m Talkin
I have questions. I wrote a blog post where you can read and/or meditate on these questions.
This week I have questions.
If I believe that God is the creator of the universe and all mankind, and I do, am I not required to follow Him fully?
If I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He came to the earth through a virgin birth and that He died on the cross to save me, and I do, am I not then required to follow Him fully?
If I believe that the Bible is the complete and inerrant Word of God, and I do, am I not then required to follow it fully?
If I believe that God’s Word is THE truth, and I do, am I not required to follow it fully?
If I believe that there is actually right and wrong that is decided by God and not by people, and I do, am I not then required to follow that path?
If I am a disciple of Jesus and confess to be a Christian, and I am, am I not then obligated to stand for that truth?
If I can’t follow God/Jesus fully because of my sinful nature, and I don’t, am I then allowed to compromise His truth and the Word of God (Bible)?
If I believe that God is a God of love, and I do, am I not required to allow others to have a differing opinion without hatred in my heart?
If I believe that God is a God of grace, and I do, am I not required to offer grace to others even in the heat of disagreement?
If I believe that God is just, and I do, am I the judge of others or must I leave room for God’s justice?
If I believe I am right, based on God’s Word, and others are wrong, based on the same, and sometimes I do, does that give me the right to be judge and jury?
If the world hates me because of my beliefs, and it might, am I not required to follow Jesus to the cross?
If Jesus offers forgiveness even after experiencing the crucifixion, and He does, am I not required to offer the same?
Stay tuned for next week’s post where I will attempt to answer these questions.
You can listen to my microcast that accompanies this post at I’m Talkin
A special episode from my daughter.
Go ahead and start.
Don’t stop believing.
Hard to tell, by the keynote, how all the changes to the OS’s will work. However, come July I will be installing the betas.
Such a great word and a characteristic to try and achieve.
Endurance
Fish
Stripes: of course
Such a negative word, but don’t be discouraged.
Fair
Written: Nice to get a written note now and again.
Schedule
Mountain: Old picture but I love the mountains of my youth.
Intricate:
Plain: You should see my wife’s side of the room.
