God is in Control

God is in Control

How often over the last year were the following words spoken in America? “God is in control.”  These magic words have been used over a wide range of issues that many have faced.  Truly, God is creator of all (Genesis 1).  His words to Job in the final chapters of the book of Job  make it clear the knowledge and wisdom of God is far beyond the scope of man.  However, what is the purpose of uttering the phrase “God is in control.”?

God control

“God is in control” – Is this a password to do nothing?

For some, the acknowledgement of the power of God over all is recognition that He provides, cares, loves, and will ultimately deliver justice to mankind.  God gave Adam and Eve a garden home with a promise.  That promise was rooted in justice.  If they ate of the forbidden fruit, their lives would be forfeit.  God was true to His Word.  God also provided deliverance for Israel under the bonds of Egypt.  His promise was a blessed land of abundance for the children of Jacob.  That promise too was rooted in justice.  If they forsook the commandments of God, curses would come upon them and the land of Israel would vomit them out.  Indeed God was faithful to His promise.  The Lord of heaven and earth has as a foundation for all that He does: truth, love, justice, and righteousness.

Unfortunately, it seems there are those of the Lord’s Body, America, and the world who envision God as a micro manager who takes it upon Himself to control every aspect of man’s life.  This is false.  God has always allowed man freedom to choose his path under the knowledge of the Lord’s faithfulness to justice.  Herein lies a great failure of mankind. Expressing: “God is in control.” currently seems be a ticket for mankind to fail to engage in doing what is his personal duty.  It didn’t work or Adam and Eve or Israel. God will judge inaction and disobedience.  When evil is occurring and man steps aside, he will be called to account by the Heavenly Father.  America was a land founded on the principles that God was to be trusted – that He reigns supreme. However, happiness was not to handed out on a silver platter.  It needed to be pursued.  When the voices of Americans stand silent in the face of abortion, sexual sin, corruption, the censoring of truth, improper application or failure to enforce the law, election fraud, governmental injustice, deceit, treason, and so much more… God will not be appeased by the statement “God is in control.” as one stands by and silently watches evil occur.

If it is not obvious yet, the point is this:  Every individual has the God given responsibility  to do that which Jehovah has commanded.  Man has a responsibility to step forward to care for the physical and spiritual injustices/needs experienced by others. Consider:

James 4:17 – “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”

Psalms 82:3 – “Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.”

Ezekiel 33:6 – “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.”

Galatians 6:10 – “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

1 John 3:17 –“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?”

Luke 10:30-37

God is in control.  He has delegated mankind to follow His commandments of justice, love, honor, and righteousness.  God will not do what is required of His creation.  However, He will hold mankind accountable for not acting upon the opportunity to do right.  “God is in control.” is not an excuse to do nothing. This attitude of expectation of reward for failure to act has never been promised by God.  He is a God of justice.  May we, His creation, take this knowledge upon ourselves and engage in what is just for America and the world.

 

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Gender Identity and Sexual Attraction

Gender Identity and Sexual Attraction

There are two sexes.  There are two genders. DNA determines from birth whether a person is male or female. Today, gender is being redefined as the role you identify with. This has created a great deal of unnecessary pain and confusion for many people.  Yet, God is very clear on this topic: “So God created man in his image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” (Genesis 1:27)  God also defined roles for males and females and he defined the nature of their relationship in view of sexual attraction. Sadly, it has become common for worldly media, political organizations, and educational institutions to deceive mankind.

There is a God given role for your gender.

In the society of our current day, assuming an identity, not according to your sex, is accepted and promoted. God has made it clear this is not acceptable and does not promote this.

“A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD your God”.  (Deuteronomy 22:5)

Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?  Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.  (I Corinthians 11:13-16)

The use of the word “Abomination” in Deuteronomy makes it clear God will never accept the practice of cross dressing and trying to assume the identity of another gender.  The dictates of I Corinthians 11 often relegated to culture with a focus on authority is established with eternal evidences and states that within the Church there is no acceptable practice for men and women to look like one another. It is against the authority structure and design of nature which God has established.

Today, the purpose behind confusing sex and gender is to promote and make same sex attraction appear acceptable.  Shaming those who do not embrace this evil dogma creates pressure to make individuals question their identity and sexual attraction.  Millennial singles are embracing the sinful side of this issue more than ever before and the Church needs to be there for them to comfort and direct them in the Lord.

Most people are attracted to the opposite sex. Some people have feelings of attraction for the same sex or both sexes.  For most this is a passing thought of youth and it is common. Advantageously, the world supports acting upon these feelings.  However, God does not support that behavior.  The following passages all condemn acting upon same sex attraction: Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, I Corinthians 6:9-10, I Timothy 1:9-10.

While some people have same sex attraction, strong sexual drives, or weak sexual drives, some people identify as asexual.  This is in its simplicity defined as a lack of sexual attraction. There can be a number of reasons for no sex drive or attraction: youth, lack of full development, trama, ongoing stress, depression, low self esteem, emotional issues, prescription medication, obesity, diet, lack of proper nutrition, and so much more. The majority of people identifying as asexual have depression and low self esteem. These impacting issues are normal and can often be resolved.  Unfortunately, our young people are prime targets of those with an agenda to be pushed into considering themselves asexual.  If they question why they do not have a sexual drive, those with a worldly agenda tell them perhaps they aren’t male or female.  Perhaps they need to pursue their sexuality with the same sex or some unidentified nonexistent group.  Here are three important things to know:

  • Approximately 1% of the population identifies as asexual.
  • It is important to note that females are much more likely to identify as asexual than men. (Consider the role testosterone has in this).
  • According to – John Whitehall – Professor of Paediatrics at Western Sydney University …up to 90 per cent of children who question their sexual identity will orientate to their natal sex by puberty.

This issue is rising among the millennial single population.  Such a philosophy when directed by the world lends itself to tearing down the family unit, increasing ungodliness, and causing what God identifies as sinful to be acceptable.  It needs to be understood that while various levels of sex drive can occur throughout different stages of a person’s life, they still have the responsibility to:

  1. Look like their God given sex.
  2. Behave like their God given sex.
  3. Provide a proper Christian example.

Gender identity and sexual attraction, or lack thereof, is not just about you.  It can say something about your relationship with God and its example impacts others.  God has set the parameters of a human’s sex\gender to be male and female.  He has set their roles of sexuality to be moral and yoked to the opposite sex.  While having a lack of sexual attraction is not a sin, it doesn’t give you the right to transgress God’s will for you.  You are His child and though you may have some struggles, He has provided a path within His Word and His Church so that you might spiritually thrive.  Do not withdraw from Him or your Christian family, they are here to help you especially with these difficult issues.

 

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The Whole Counsel of God

The Whole Counsel of God

Debates are raging.  Frustration is abounding.  Accusations are being hurled. Wise counsel is being rejected. There will always be new strains of illnesses upon the earth.  There will also be different theories as to what the best approach to them should be.  Most people want everyone to stay healthy and live well regardless of their age or social status.  So if most people want others to be safe and healthy, even though they hold different views regarding the treatment to achieving this result, why is such viral anger flourishing at this time?  The issue has to do with truth.

counsel ears

Are you covering your ears to information not presented by the loudest voice in the room?

The apostle Paul declared in Acts 20:27 “for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God.”  Paul had the obligation to share all the revealed truth of God (Acts 9:15-16).  He didn’t share only the parts he wanted to share.  The Judaizers were happy to share only part of the truth and mix it with their own beliefs as well.  Many religions today are glad to share only a part of the truth declaring one is saved by “Faith only” (Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, I Peter 3:21).  Portions of the scriptures have long been taken alone or out of context.  Satan did this himself in Matthew 4.  Jesus presented a fuller view of the truth.  Apollos was a mighty minister of the Old Testament scriptures, yet he needed exposure to all of the truth to be pleasing to God (Acts 18:26).  Context and the full truth are necessary to make proper decisions.

The current situation, specific to America in this examination, is enflamed due to the suppression of truth in the media at large and its manipulation by those in political power.  This was true long before the current spread of a new strain of an illness.  It is very easy to be suppressed into a life of fearful delusion or even be enraged when you are not receiving the full truth.  It is also easy to get exasperated when others won’t accept additional facts into their viewpoint, but blindly move forward with a limited amount of information to guide their life.  They will not just fail to listen, but actively try to suppress any other consideration offered to themselves or others.  Ever have a religious conversation like that? In America, this is resulting not only in further harm to the country, but loss of freedom which will last well into the future.

The bottom line to all of this is summed up in John 8:31-32 “So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, ‘If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”  There are great number of people in the Bible who closed their ears to the truth and hardened their hearts.  They would not hear or accept the truth.  They did not want the truth shared and wanted to stop anyone who tried to share it.  Ultimately, this led to their destruction.  Therefore, let us take time to consider all the facts.  There are concerned voices of opposition to the bottlenecked flow of information.  Stop!  Take a moment to legitimately consider not just what the loudest voice in the room is saying, but what other informed and wise individuals are saying.  The suppression of secular and spiritual truth will only result in pain and the loss of freedom.

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Tact: Work on It

Tact: Work on It

A person who is tactful is able to say and do things in a manner which have a lesser chance of offending people.  Some people are absolutely more tactful than others.  All of us have had moments where we could have been more tactful.  Over the years, I certainly have had my tactless moments.  I know as I have aged those moments have become fewer and far between, but I am not immune to a lack of tact.  Christians need to be careful that they are growing in their ability to be tactful.

tact behavior

Consider the impact of what you say and do before you say or do it.

A good brother delivered a fantastic live online lesson on Church History.  The lesson was factual, contained a heart-felt plea for restoration, and was received well by a large audience.  Unfortunately, immediately following the lesson another brother in Christ decided to publicly challenge him on a divisive topic not addressed in the lesson.  The example was poor.  The timing was poor.  No visible benefit was produced.  What was conveyed was insensitive, unconstructive, and tactless.  The good Christian brother with a lack of tact did not increase his influence in reaching others.  Strangers are not more likely to be going to him for Biblical instruction.  Souls will not be won by his actions.  What could have happened?  How could the concern on the questioning brother’s mind have been handled so that it did not reflect negatively on him, other Christians, and the Church as a whole?

Acts 18 discusses a man named Apollos.  Apollos was mighty in the Old Testament scriptures.  He was eloquent.  He spoke about Jesus.  He spoke boldly!  Yet, due to his own ignorance, he shared the truth only in part and not in full.  Two Christians, Aquila and Priscilla listened to his message.  They had concerns.  They could have publicly blasted Apollos in a tactless moment.  They could have shamed their example and the Church.  What they did instead was treat a good brother in Christ with respect and kindness.  Acts 18:26, speaks of them taking Apollos to the side and helping him with the way of God.  That is the art of tact.

Do we think of what we say and do before we do it?  Why not take concerned replies to others into private discussion instead of disgraceful public squabbling?  How often have you read on the internet or on a bumper sticker something to the effect: “I was at Church Sunday, not watching the Big Game”.  How many souls have ever been won by this approach?  How many have been offended and turned away by this attempt to dump of a random bucket of guilt on a stranger’s head?  The Puritans when they came to America would demonstrate how “pious” they were by multiple worship services on Sunday.  When Christians behave with such tactless motive are they simple trying to show how “pious” they are in comparison to others?  I suggest they reevaluate the result.

Christianity is about a relationship with our God.  While the Word of God ultimately may bring offence to many, the manner in which that Word is shared needs to be done with kindness and thoughtfulness.  Consider a few scriptures for further study on tactfulness:  Proverbs 16:24, Ephesians 4:29, I Corinthians 9:19-23.  I implore you, please keep your words under control, sober, and edifying all those with who come within your sphere of influence.

Ephesians 4:15 – “But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:”

 

 

 

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It’s a Relationship

It’s a Relationship

The release of captive Israel from Exodus began with a God who loves this world.  His plan formed not with the thought of only one man, one sex, or one race in mind.  Rather God’s plan, created before the foundation of the earth was laid, targeted the whole world with no single soul being held of a higher worth than another in regard to the offering of salvation.  With this in mind, consider that God delivered the children of the Jacob to Mt. Sinai.  There in Exodus 20, Moses would begin to share God’s laws with the people.  The first of these, the Ten Commandments, demonstrate something critical about our God.  God’s commandments are built on establishing a relationship. The first four mentioned focus on a relationship with Him.  The next six indirectly demonstrate our relationship with Him through our relationship with man (Matthew 25:35-46).  For a few moments, I would like to consider our relationship status with God.

relationship God

Do you base your relationship with God on your own perfection?

A relationship with God has always required that the spirit of man desire to serve God and that the man walk in obedience to God (Romans 12:1).  In no circumstance has man ever “earned” his relationship with our Heavenly Father.  In the patriarchal age, Adam and Eve had a pleasing relationship with God until they were disobedient.  Noah, a preacher of righteousness, had a pleasing relationship with God walking according to all God had commanded in building the ark (Genesis 6:9,22; Hebrews 11:7).  Abraham was faithful to God (Hebrews 11) and he was called a friend of God.  These are all relationships prior to the Covenants.  Under the Law of Moses, Moses was in the presence of God often.  He was chosen to lead God’s people to the Promised Land.  Later, Moses and Elijah would appear before Christ when He was transfigured demonstrating their standing before God (Matthew 17:3-4).  David under the same law would be called a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22).  These people sought to obey God and have a relationship with him.  All of them had sin as we have sinned (Romans 3:23). Obedience was required, but perfection at the hand of man was not.

The New Covenant era is not different in its requirement of obedience to have a relationship with God (Matthew 7:21, John 14:15, Hebrews 5:8-9).  In the same manner, as in prior ages, a relationship with God does not require perfection thru the power of man. Yet, some live as if they were in and out and in and out again in their connection to God when they come short in their behaviors or thoughts.  They live in a system of the flesh in which they operate as if they were earning salvation.  This is not what God has put before the Christian.  Christians have been transformed (Romans 12:2).  Why would we try to live in a manner which God does not endorse (Galatians 1)?  If you are a Christian you are not a sinner.  You are a child of God.  Your focus is simply to serve Him with good works (2 Timothy 3:16-17); your focus should not be continually upon your imperfection.  God’s relationship from the beginning of time has never been contingent upon complete obedience.  If it were, how could Enoch have been taken by God when we know that all have sinned (Genesis 5:24, Hebrews 11:5)?  God has made certain things perfectly clear in life.  First, if we seek Him, we will find (Matthew 7:7).  Second, if we are seeking Him, we will be rewarded (Hebrews 11:6).  Third, Jesus blood continually washes those who walk in His light.

A faithful relationship toward God is built upon love and obedience, but man’s status with God has never been built upon man’s behavioral perfection.  Yes, disobedience is recognized by God.  Yes, at times he has made an example of disobedience to show His displeasure with it.  However, in all ages God simply desires a creation who wants Him above all things (Matthew 6:33).  How are you living your life?  Is it one where you aren’t constantly agonizing where you stand with God?  Is it one where you aren’t trying to earn a salvation which you can never earn?  Are you living by the eternal quality: “love” (I Corinthians 13:13, I John 4:8) – Love for God and love for man?  If so, then continue forward in joy.  If not, break out of the cycle of the flesh and live with a spirit acknowledging the salvation God has provided.

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