Man Can Understand

Man Can Understand God’s Word Today

Some Bible teachers tell us that the Bible is a good book but that it cannot be understood. If the Bible cannot be understood by modern man, consequently man’s hope of salvation is in jeopardy, please observe the following thoughts by the editor:

The apostle Paul said of some of Paul’s writings that they were “hard to be understood …”

2 Peter 3:15-16, “15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also, according to the wisdom given to him, wrote unto you; 16 as also in all (his) epistles, speaking in them of these things; wherein are some things hard to be understood, which the ignorant and unstedfast wrest, as (they do) also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.” (ASV)

CONSIDER THIS:  There is nothing in this passage that indicates Paul’s writings cannot be understood. The passage does teach that the unlearned (i.e. insufficiently taught) and unstable may misunderstand some of Paul’s writings, that they may require further teaching.

Through a continuing study of the Holy Scriptures man may understand the truth, even that truth that Paul received from God and taught the people of his day.

Ephesians 3:2-5, “2 if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; 3 how that by revelation was made known unto me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, 4 whereby, when ye read, ye can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; 5 which in other generation was not made known unto the sons of men, as it hath now been revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;” (ASV),

CONSIDER THIS:  The thought contained here in Ephesians 3 is, man can know God’s will as the apostle and prophets knew it by reading their words received from God during the infancy of the church through the guidance of the Holy Spirit (i.e. the Written Word as we have it today).

Indeed, man can know what it is that God expects from him by reading, understanding, and obeying the instruction of the written word of God on all matters necessary for his salvation from sin.

CONCLUSION:  The very idea that God would give mankind a book that he could not understand, then make his hope of salvation from sin depend upon his understanding that book is ridiculous. God is not willing that anyone should perish:

John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.” (ASV)

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Saved to Serve

To introduce this lesson, let us consider that enjoying and fulfilling our Christian relationship with God involves accepting the responsibilities inherent in that relationship.

1. Every right implies a responsibility.

2. Every opportunity implies an obligation.

3. Every possession implies a duty.

A relationship with God without duty is like a tree without roots.  It cannot grow and it will wither and die.   And duty with no service is like a tree with no fruit.  It cannot provide sustenance and will not spread out.  It is through the fruit that a tree makes its seeds.  No fruit means no seeds and no seeds means no growth and no more truth to sow.

A Christian is a person called to God’s service.  1 Thessalonians 1:9, “For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God“.

Christians have an obligation to fulfill their individual service.  Paul wrote in Colossians 4:17, “And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.”  Paul commanded the church in Colossi to to tell Archippus to fulfill the ministry he had been given.  This teaches individual, personal service.  All Christians are to view their service on a personal level.  What can I do to serve God?  Where do I fit in?  How can I help?  Certainly the body of Christ engages in organized group efforts, but each group consists of individuals working together in fulfillment of a specific role towards a common goal.  Each individual in a group has a specific responsibility.  As Bobby has been teaching, we need to personalize things and we are going to expand that idea to include our Christian service.

The spiritual kingdom which we are members of is a realm of activity.  we can see this evident in the various terms used to describe Christians.

We are described as being branches by Christ in John 15:1-8.  Looking particularly at verses 5-6 we see that Jesus teaches us in this context that “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.”  Christians described as branches are expected to bear fruit.  Jesus says those who do not will be burned.

Christians are illustrated as farmers.  2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.  Farmers who expect to be successful are not idle.  They, like Christians have to work at it.  Hard working Christians like farmers will sow and reap bountifully.

Christians are described as soldiers, 2Timothy 2:3, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”  Soldiers have duties, they are expected to protect, defend and to serve.

Christians are described as athletes, 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”  This is an illustration of dedication and perseverance.

Christians are described as workers, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, “Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father”  Biblical faith is not passive.  True faith is a work.  Paul instructed Timothy to “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”  2 Timothy 2:15.  Paul told timothy to study so that he would be a good workman for the lord.  Christians are workers for Christ.

Christians are to be Laborers. Matthew 9:37, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”

All of these terms used to describe Christians represent action.  Faithful Christian service is much more than just saying Lord Lord.  An examination of these terms used to describe members of the kingdom of Christ shows that we are expected to be fruitful and to be productive branches, we are to be like farmers who sow many seeds, we are to protect and defend the truth like good soldiers and we are to strive for the goal with patience and perseverance like the athlete, working and laboring in the service of Christ.

As Christians we are expected to be fruitful, Colossians 1:10, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God“.

We are to be fit for God’s use in His kingdom, 2 Timothy 2:20-21, “But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet [fit] for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.”

We are expected to be profitable, 2 Timothy 4:11, “Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.”  Paul wanted Timothy to bring Mark with him because he was profitable.  Mark was someone Paul knew he could depend on to work. In all this we should see that Christians are a part of a kingdom of service.  Christians are saved to serve.

What does a Christian’s activity consist of?  1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”  Paul is telling the Christians at Corinth to abound, or be plentiful, in the work of the Lord.  What is the work of the Lord?  We are saved to serve, so what must we do?

The three basic works of the church or the body of Christ is:

1)  Acts of benevolence.  Galatians 6:9-10, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”  We are supposed to be generous and do good things for all men, both sinners and Christians alike.  When we see a Christian in need, we are obligated all the more to help them.  Jesus went into more detail in Matthew 25.  Specifically in V35-36 “For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”  We are to engage in acts of kindness, generosity and concern for those who are old, sick, or afflicted.

2)  Edification; We are to work to edify the body of Christ.  This means we are supposed to instruct ourselves and build each other up in the knowledge of God.   Ephesians 4:14-16, “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”

3)  Evangelism; Going along with Bobby’s lessons the past few weeks, we are to engage in works of evangelism.  There are many ways to achieve this.  We are to teach 2 Timothy 2:24, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient”  Apt means willing and able.

We are to preach, 2 Timothy 4:2, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”  we are to preach only the word.  We are to do it in or out of season, meaning whenever we get the opportunity.  We are to reprove, rebuke and exhort, which means to convince, correct and encourage.  How do we do this?  With all longsuffering or patience and kindness.  And our guide for this is the doctrine or teaching of Christ.

This means telling others about Christ whenever we have the opportunity.  It means looking for opportunities and acting on them when we find them.   People outside the body of Christ see us doing good, living right, serving others, living to a higher standard.  They see our joy and hope evident in our behavior and actions and they want to be a part of that.  They see that we are family and they want to join in.  There are lots and lots of ways to evangelize.  It may be as simple as handing someone a card, or a tract, or asking them if they would like to come to services.  It might be that others see your dedication and devotion and want to know more.

Christians are called to serve.  We serve God by doing good to others, building ourselves up in the faith and evangelizing or spreading the good news of salvation.   Christianity is not a passive system of faith.  It is a system of action.  And it is upon this action or service that the existence of the body of Christ depends.  If we as members of the church of Christ in this community do not fulfill our obligations of service, this congregation will cease to exist.  We are assembled here today because someone many decades ago did their job.  If this congregation is going to be here 20 years from now, we have to do our jobs today.

What is the correct attitude we should have about our service?  We need to develop certain attitudes concerning our Christian work:

First of all, we are to be grateful for the opportunity to serve.  Paul expressed his gratitude to Timothy is 1Timiothy 1:12, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry“.  Paul suffered great persecution for his Christian service, yet we see here that he was grateful for it.  Our attitude about our service should be no less.  Our opportunity to serve is a privilege and Paul received that privilege because God saw that he could trust him.  When we are given the opportunity to serve, we should have it in our minds that God trusts us and we should be grateful for that trust and work to demonstrate that the trust God has in us is well founded.

We should be willing to take the initiative and serve without being prodded or pushed into it.  Paul urged Timothy to “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity (1 Timothy 4:12).  Paul told Timothy to step up and live as an example, and show others how to live, not just preaching to them.

Paul taught the Christians in Philippi to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Philippians 2:14).  We are to have a positive and upbeat attitude about our service to Christ.

We are to show enthusiasm and be zealous and eager, Titus 2:14, “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

We are to be persistent in our service, Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”  Patience and persistence are vital if we are to be successful.  We cannot expect everyone we encounter to just drop everything and embrace God with open arms and total commitment.  And we are not to give up on them when they don’t.  We must have the attitude of preparing for the long haul.  Sometimes the seed of truth takes time to sprout and grow.

There are many ways a Christian can serve in the kingdom of Christ.  There are many jobs to do and many things that can be done.  When considering our service we need to ask ourselves questions concerning our abilities and opportunities.

Concerning our abilities we need to ask:

1) In what ways am I especially blessed by God?

2) What do I posses that might be useful in the Lord’s work?

3) What do I derive fulfillment from doing?

4) What do I enjoy doing?

5) What comes naturally for me?

6) What might I learn to do?

Obviously we are more comfortable with doing things that fit in with abilities that come naturally for us.  So we need to watch for opportunities that fit within our abilities.  But it does not stop with just that.  What might we learn to do?  What other abilities may we be able to develop that would aid i our service to Christ?

Concerning our opportunities we need to ask:

1) What needs to be done in the Lord’s work?

2) What scriptural restrictions govern the work?

3) What other factors may limit my opportunity?

4) What is now being done inadequately?

5) What problems exist that need to be solved?

6) What are others doing that I need or can help with?

All of these things need to be examined and if there is a need, then we should be working to try and fill that need.  If there is a need we can’t fill, then we should be working to develop the ability to do so.  And we need to be encouraging to others who are trying to do these things.  The inability to do something does not necessarily excuse us of doing it.

And finally let’s take a look at some of the various terms used for where we are serve as Christians.

Christ frequently referred to the world as a vineyard.  He spoke of vinedressers and laborers in His teachings.  The imagery of a vineyard suggests a place where work is performed.  When one thinks of a vineyard and they know what a vineyard is like, then they know it not a place of rest and relaxation.  A vineyard is a place where work is done.

Another term that Jesus used to describe the world was the harvest.  Other related terms in association with is sowers, reapers and laborers.  All of these terms portray the imagery of action.  Notice Jesus usage of these terms in Matthew 9:37-38, “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

All of these terms suggest Christ’s kingdom as being a place where members are active and busy.  Christians are saved to serve in God’s vineyard.  Christians are saved to serve in God’s harvest.  Christians are saved to serve Christ.  Jesus Christ made it plain in Matthew 25 that when we serve others, we serve Christ and when we fail to serve others we fail to serve to Christ.

We saw earlier that a big part of our Christian service is out in the world.  The world is God’s vineyard.  The world is God’s harvest.  Jesus said in Mark 16:16, “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  We are to saved to serve and and world is a big part of where we are expected to serve.  Jesus did not say ‘set ye in the pews’.  He said “go ye into all the world”.   The world starts just outside the doors at the front of the building.  That is where Jesus told us to go.  That is the vineyard we are expected to work in.  That is the harvest we are expected to reap.

The need is there, the harvest is plenty.  We are living in the mission field.  Bobby has given us some practical advice these past few weeks on how to accomplish it.  Let’s work together, let’s get a plan, let’s serve God the best we can.  We are Christians and we are saved to serve.  So let’s examine ourselves and examine the need.  As long as there is one single soul lost in the world, we are obligated to try and shine the light of God’s truth on his path.  There is more to do.  Can we do it?  There is more need, can we fill it.  There is opportunity can we take advantage of it?  What can we do to better serve?  These are questions we must always ask ourselves.  we just never let ourselves become complacent.  We must ever strive to grow and get stronger and get better.

Hebrews 12:1-4 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds…“

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Reaping What We Sow

Reaping What We Sow

I need to be concerned about the development of my commitment to Christ and the development of my Christian character, because I need to know that I will reap what I sow. The law of sowing and reaping is quite clear: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:7-9).

Unfortunately, many young people feel entitled that they should “sow their wild oats” during their youth. This contradicts the clear instructions from Solomon when he declared, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Ecc. 12:1). Far too many young people sow their wild oats, and then reap a rotten harvest! Not only this, but as Solomon declared, the time to build character ought to begin during the days of our youth, if at all possible!

Thus, if I am going to become a leader in the church, I should take advantage of my time early to work on developing the necessary character and commitment needed for the role. For example, if I am going to become an elder of the church one day, the time to think about such is much earlier than most consider. The “desire” can literally begin in our youth (cf. 1 Tim. 3:1). Then, the qualifications that Paul gives could literally be the fruit of years of development and maturity. Why would I risk doing something that I would regret years down the road? Do we not think that Abraham regretted his attempt to subvert the plan of God in having a child with Hagar? Can we not hear the agony in the voice of David as he regrets his lustful actions with Bathsheba in Psalm 32 and Psalm 51? Even Paul himself will periodically voice his regrets over the former life he lived and the persecution he wrought upon the church before his conversion! We must remember that whatever we sow, that we shall reap. Therefore, I must keep this in mind with regards to the development of my commitment to Christ and the development of my Christian character!

Even Paul states concerning the responsibility that the church has towards widows that they are to be “…having been the wife of one man, well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints’ feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work” (1 Tim. 5:9-10). Would a Christian wife want to throw her Christian character away at the price of losing her faithfulness to God? Would she not realize that it may have repercussions down the road when she might become a widow?

We always reap what we sow; we always reap later than we sow, and very often, we reap more than we sow. Thus, as we consider the great law of sowing and reaping, and we consider the need to work towards developing our commitment to Christ and Christian character, we put these two principles together and see how they correlate with one another. I should always consider the consequences of my actions (cause and effect), realizing that I may even feel and endure the effects years down the road. This works both positively as well as negatively. Therefore, I need to begin now (or continue if I have already begun) to work hard in developing my Christian character and commitment to Christ; I do not want anything to deter my progress!

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Voting

Voting exercises one’s opinion and choice of support for one side of an issue, or the election of an individual, group, or entity for specific appointments.  An individual’s associations (I Corinthians 15:33) and actions (Luke 6:44) can give a good indication about what he supports with his votes.  Consider a person who gambles.  It makes logical sense he would likely vote to enable more gambling.  If a person hangs around bookies and casinos, the likeliness of him voting in support of a gambling related measure would be high.  Also consider a person who overtly supports drug use.  Others observed him using drugs in the past on numerous occasions.  How likely would it be that he would vote to legalize drug use?  Quickly drawn conclusions come from lifestyle behaviors of individuals.  Inversely, based on the way an individual votes, assumptions are often made about the voter’s lifestyle and morality.  Since Christians strive not to be conformed to the world, but individuals transformed (Romans 12:1-2), light bearers (Matthew 5:16), and watchmen (I Thessalonians 5:4-6), the way they cast their votes should be done with great discernment knowing that the Will of God stands as their priority (Matthew 6:33).  Christians want to look to the scriptures on how they should vote so they can vote with the authority of God and not strengthen the hand of evil doers (Jeremiah 23:14).

Moral issue voting typically stands most simple for a Christian to engage in according to God’s authority.  Abortion, homosexuality, drug and alcohol legislation, gambling, prostitution: the verdict from God clearly says they cannot be supported.  Not that all moral issues represent clear cut decisions.  Debates involving the topic of capital punishment, military service, home defense, and others continue to involve significant energy by Christians.  A more confounding situation relates to the election of representatives for the people.  A representative serves to represent the values of the people who elect him.  Representatives campaign prior to their election about what they will accomplish if voted into the offices they desire.  Their associations, actions, and voting record typically come under close scrutiny.  Christians acknowledge the fact they the potential representatives, like themselves, have engaged or will engage in sinful behavior (Romans 3:23).  Like any office or position that someone undertakes, the greater the relationship to their sinful behavior and the position the more of a concern it represents.  For instance, in filling the position of county assayer, a man’s support of abortion has no bearing on his function.  He cannot unilaterally or by leadership enact legislation furthering the practice of abortion.  Quite the opposite, if the same man desires to fill the position of President of the United States, the impact represents a great concern.  Barack Hussein Obama’s record made it clear he supported abortion when running for President of the United States in 2008.  Many Christians voted for him knowing this.  His first month in office he forced tax payers to pay a portion of 457 million dollars to support abortions in other nations.  Thousands of babies died horribly with full foreknowledge of American Christians.  The question at hand in this article relates to whether or not Christians commit any sin at all when voting for a representative they believe can and will through the otherwise unavailable power of their position act without the authority of God.  Remember, a vote for something or someone by definition represents support.

First, the faithful of God serve as watchmen to others.  This principle can be seen in Ezekiel 33:7-8: “So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.  When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.”  This concept repeats in passages like Jude 1:23 in the New Testament.  As an obligation, Christians must share the truth of the gospel to the world (Matthew 28:18-20).  Sometimes this means encouragement, other times, it means admonishment.  Whatever the situation, the worst action is no action.  The Corinthian Christians did this in I Corinthians 5 allowing sin to go on without warning.  The Laodicean Christians also did nothing (Revelation 3:14-22).  At the current state in time, America boasts two leading candidates for the office of President.  They represent two parties, but not all the parties.  When Election Day comes they will not be the only candidates for whom to vote.  Yet, many Christians find themselves afraid of the future.  They currently identify the man in the White House (Barack Hussein Obama – one of the two leading candidates) as using his power for sin.  They loudly proclaim this.  The leading second candidate, Mitt Romney, boasts a record full of support for abortion, homosexuality, homosexual adoption, transgenderism, stem cell research, rejecting the defense of Marriage Act, and has refused on occasions to be identified with pro-life groups or as pro-life.  While Romney declares he has changed his mind on some of the positions, voters show concern over his associations, actions, and voting record.  Unfortunately, many Christians currently choose not to sound the warning trumpet.  James 4:17, “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”  Not by opinion, but by the Word of God, the authority of scripture says these Christians commit sin by their inaction.  Consider this:  If a watchmen trumpets a warning, does he then support the enemy by opening the gates for them?  Why would a Christian who should be sounding a warning open the gate for abuse of the power God gave government officials?  Can such a Christian not be held culpable?

Second, regarding earthly choices remember a spiritual option always exists.  Frequently in politics as in life, when a decision must be made, two options are said to exist:  “Pepsi or Coke”, “Steak or Ground Beef”, “Peas or broccoli”.  Yet, other options exist:  7-Up, chicken, corn or no thank you.  Media and others attempt to frame America’s presidential race into a must choose between one of two options framework though other options will always exist.  The common statement usually stated: “You must choose between the lesser of two evils”.  Scriptural authority does not exist for such an idea.  All knees will bow before Jesus (Philippians 2:10).  They will be judged by His Word (John 12:48).  Since the Words of Jesus are the only option for action hear Jesus declare Matthew 6:23-24 –“But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”  No room exists for any acceptance of evil.  Christians have one master not two.  When only supporting evil with your vote exists, look harder, and you will see the righteousness of God towering over it in other forms.  Sarai when she shared her husband with another woman thought she had no other option.  Saul when he offered up the sacrifice without Saul thought he had no other option.  Uzzah when he reached out and grabbed the ark thought he had no other option.  The best option always stands as God’s authorized option, faithful adherence to His Word.  “Hate evil love good!” (Amos 5:15)  Serving God is not a matter of situational ethics where accepting evil can be good at times.

Third, a Christian’s duty from God demands he do good things and avoid the appearance of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).  What is evil, but the opposite of good.  Micah 6:8, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  Walking with God means obeying His Will and stands as good.  Thus, evil equates to man not doing God’s will.  The Thessalonian passage instructs man not to act in a way that would appear contrary to what God directs.  When a Christian supports a candidate who will likely use his power to increase sin, others attribute their behavior as acceptable to God.  Their inclination then becomes to support the same sin in all situations.  The Christian brushing up with sin misrepresents God’s designed intention for him and he cheapens the image of God in the eyes of those who may not be Christians.  The American Presidential election of 2008 opened many divisions between Christians because many chose to vote for race instead of godly obedience.  To this day, confusion exists over how a Christian could support someone with the record of legislative abuse that Barack Obama brought to the table.  Though many asked for repentance, recognizing their choice of man over God, clearly not everyone heeded their example.  When Christians do not avoid the appearance of evil they act without the authority of God.  God’s face is hidden from those associating with evil (Isaiah 59:1-2).   Those who bid the sinful candidate God speed by voting for them become guilty as a partaker of the transgressor’s deeds.  2 John 1:9-11 – “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.”  What will people believe about a Christian if he votes for a ballot supporting sin or a candidate with a track record of legislating sin?  He loses his credibility.  He is seen as part of the world.

Fourth, Christians following the Word of God avoid acting as stumbling blocks (I John 2:10).  A stumbling block causes a person to fall from his course.  Christians becomes stumbling blocks when their actions cause others to stray from the Word of God.  “Romney is the best candidate out there!”  Christians call Romney good instead of identifying his associations, actions, and voting record as evil.  Isaiah spoke of men who would “call evil good and good evil” Isaiah 5:20.  He wasn’t mentioning this to flatter.  When Christians do this, they lead others headlong into sin.  Did Christ every support something sinful?  No, of course not!  Would he choose the lesser evil today?  No again!  Christians, who do not know any better and Christians with a weak conscience, follow the stumbling block in support of a candidate who will enact sinful legislation resulting in struggling souls and a weakened Church.  The light on a hill soon becomes one hidden under a blanket due to shame and the darkness of sin.  Why?  They choose not to make the choice with Biblical authority and rather relied on man’s opinion on what to do.

Finally, what if the individual demonstrated a track record of specific behaviors then out of the blue said he would no longer behave that way?  Would you immediately believe him?  Jesus warned, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)  In other words, Jesus knew the track record of the world and did not want his disciples to blindly trust those identified with evil.  Paul warned of folks with a track record of evil in Philippians 3:2-3 and Peter did the same in 2 Peter 3:17.  Consider the episode of Penn State.  Many years ago they had a defensive coordinator for their football team who had been witnessed as someone potentially involved with child molestation.  The coach of the football team, Joe Paterno, upon receiving a report of the allegation reported to his superiors and did nothing more.  The defensive coordinator kept access to the school and youth.  When everything finally came to a climax years later Joe Paterno lost his job.  Why?  He was seen as culpable for enabling someone to engage in sinful behavior based on the power of a position.  His character ended up being frowned upon by others.  How different would it be for a Christian who voted for someone with a track record of sinful legislation?  Christians must be wise with their decisions.  When they blindly trust despite obvious signs that their trust will not be kept, individuals and the Church as a whole can be hurt.  When Christians ignore evil, they act without Biblical authority.

The support individuals receive from a vote does not go unnoticed in society.  Votes are recorded.  Party stances become attributed to the individual.  Society draws conclusions about the association, actions, and voting patterns of others.  Christians need to act with authority behind their voting behavior.  God set the Church up to be seen by the world.  He set the Church up so it would be distinct and not conformed to worldly practices.  Christians as watchmen have the duty to call out the sinful behavior of political candidates and warn others, but when they embrace candidates despite warning signs sin occurs.  Situational ethics do not dictate the voting behavior of Christians.  The written word of God provides perfect knowledge in every situation (2 Peter 1:1-3).  No room exists for choosing evil.  In regard to evil, Christians are to avoid the appearance of it and make certain they do not cause others to stumble in their faith.  While God commands Christians to forgive, he also instructs them to be wise.  Wisdom dictates the voter pay attention to the signs of sin.  When Christians follow God and not the opinions of man, they will act according to Biblical authority.  Biblical authority clearly condemns voting for candidates who will use their power to engage society in sin.

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Same Sex Marriage

Same Sex Marriage?

“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him’….for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place.  Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said: ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” (Genesis 2:18-24). “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4).

CONCLUSION:

1.  So that man would not be alone, God created a woman for the man. She was to be his compatible mate.  (It is important to note that God did not create a man for the man or a woman for the woman).

2.  Before there was ever a nation, kings, cultural practices, state or federal laws, President Obama, or even sin – God established His marriage law for all of mankind for all time (one man for one woman for life – cf. 1 Corinthians 7:1-2; Romans 7:2).

3.  Being that God instituted marriage between a man and a woman, then (according to Hebrews 13:4) all other marriages and sexual unions “God will Judge,” whether it be “adultery” (sexual relations with someone other than one’s own spouse) or “fornication” (which includes adultery, but also includes any kind of sexual relationship outside of a God-instituted marriage between a man and a woman – regardless of whether it is heterosexual, homosexual, bestial, etc.).

Biblically, heterosexual marriage is the only acceptable marriage, as is evidenced by the fact that God not only instituted marriage to be between a man and a woman, but also in the fact that nowhere in Scripture is there any approved example of a homosexual marriage.  And what if the laws of the land say otherwise?  “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).

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