There is a lot of discussion right now in the
Christian community around us, in Marion, about how we are to love others. The fact that
this is part of the vision of New Life Community Church makes me compelled to
respond. If you have yet to see the Lighthouse Baptist Church reader board it
currently reads, “God created Adam and Eve, Mr. President.”
That reader board is stating Truth not
opinion, and I agree whole-heartedly with that Truth, however, when all we do is
speak Truth without Grace, we do not provide the opportunity for Grace to enter
into a person’s heart and bring them to a point of salvation. It is all about
Souls and seeing Souls saved by the power of God’s grace through Jesus’
demonstration of love for all people.
That reader board has sparked some to speak
about love for everyone and how “love doesn’t hurt, it heals”, and while I
understand the heart behind the statement, it is only speaking Grace. Grace
without Truth. Truth is needed to set us free from sin. The Truth is that
sometimes love DOES HURT even while it heals. As a father I understand this
because as I love my girls there are times where I must discipline them and they
feel hurt because of that discipline born out of love that I give them. God is
no different...
Hebrews 12:7-9
As you
endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own
children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its
father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline
you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are
not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our
earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the
discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?
To follow Jesus means to follow him to our
death. Death to our selfish ways is the only way we live His ways. To follow
Jesus means to follow the living Word. If we do not live in line with God's word
then we are not living in line with God.
I Corinthians 6:9-11
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God. 11 Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
To follow Jesus means to love all those that make mistakes and sin by choosing the selfish ways mentioned in this verse and accept them. Jesus accepted them, however, he never approved of their selfish ways rather He turned them into self-less, followers who were willing to do and say anything for Him! (Zaccheaus & Matthew, woman at the well, and the woman caught in adultery are just a few examples).
I am not a fan but a follower of Jesus! Will you follow Him too?
Remember that a deeper relationship with God is long, difficult, dangerous,
expensive, requires sacrifice and demanding work! Oh is it worth it
though!!
