*As with all things on the internet, the material published here reflects only the opinion of the author.
This is a recent status I posted on Facebook. It was read by many but the context was never explained because it does encompass every area of our lives. But when I wrote it there was a specific context in my mind...
"Jesus will always be King. The Bible is True. Changing worldviews and popular opinion will never change those facts, no matter how far the world declines. Are you going to follow a man, a popular ministry, or Jesus? Jesus transforms lives, no one else! Jesus redeems from sin, no one else! Sin is sin, it's definition never changes!"
Here is the article I had read previously...
and
This is a ministry that has been around for 37 years. Their tag line is: "Exodus is the leading global outreach to churches, individuals and families offering a biblical message about same-sex attraction."
Though in the past 2 years there has been an odd switch within their ministry. Several leaders have broken off and started their own ministries. It seems that Exodus is starting to bend to the wind of changing popular world view opinion. Jesus is love and grace covers EVERYTHING is a theology that they are leaning towards to the extreme. It is sad to watch as so many have been helped by their ministry throughout the years.
To say an entire ministry is evil because of some 'failure' then there should be NO ministry in business around the globe. Our enemy is always on the attack and wants to destroy the work of God.
Yes, Jesus is love. But He also is also never changing and JUST. He told the woman at the well to go and sin no more. Grace also does cover us, but it isn't a license to go and sin because WE CAN.
I Peter 1:13-16 is a passage that comes to mind "Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy."
So in watching the developments of this story and the reaction of the LGBT communities I have been saddened. Why limit the redemptive power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? If we limit Him in this area and say He is incapable, than is there power in any area? It hurts to watch things continue to crumble away from True Biblical Christianity. As my Facebook status proclaimed...
"Jesus will always be King. The Bible is True. Changing worldviews and popular opinion will never change those facts, no matter how far the world declines. Are you going to follow a man, a popular ministry, or Jesus? Jesus transforms lives, no one else! Jesus redeems from sin, no one else! Sin is sin, it's definition never changes!"
So to those who say that Jesus accepts them living in an active homosexual lifestyle, loves them no matter what, and the Bible verses saying that the act of homosexual sex are irrelevant ("it was pagan temple prostitute sex", "the words are translated wrong", "that was under the Old Testament law", "they were heterosexuals that turned from their natural desires to homosexual desires"... etc etc). I have heard it all. But, that's what, six or seven Bible passages? The question I have asked numerous people but have never had anyone even attempt to answer is this:
At what point in a homosexual relationship is sexual intercourse pure, holy, and honorable in God's eyes? Use in context scripture as your defense.
I can only find sexual intercourse being God honoring inside of a marriage covenant relationship between one man and one woman.
I can only find sexual intercourse being God honoring inside of a marriage covenant relationship between one man and one woman.
So yes, I agree, there are people out there that have done terrible things to the LGBT community. It breaks my heart. I have many dear friends and relatives that are actively living the homosexual lifestyle. I love them dearly and am there for them just like any of my other friends. They are human beings created with hopes, dreams, aspirations, value, and even hurts, no different from the rest of us. Why wouldn't I want to count them as a dear friend?!!
Sadly when people think of Christians and their attitudes towards the homosexual community, images of Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church come to mind. Unfortunately this group has missed the boat on Biblical Truth as well.
This Biblical Truth is we were ALL BORN THIS WAY.... SINNERS! Being gay, straight or anything in between isn't going to save us. Heterosexuals are separated from God by sin too.
Only a relationship with Jesus Christ, allowing Him to be the Lord and Saviour of our lives will save us.
God loves us and created us to have a relationship with Him, both physically and spiritually.
But this relationship was broken when Adam and Eve rebelled in the garden of Eden.
Rebellion in the Bible is called Sin. This comes from the Greek word, hamartia, which means to fail or miss the mark. It is a term used in marksmanship indicating you missed the bull's-eye. God's bull's-eye is perfection and holiness.
We've all rebelled against God, both actively and passively. We've all disobeyed Him.
1. Do not worship any other gods.
2. Do not make any idols.
3. You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
4. Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. Do not murder.
7. Do not commit adultery.
8. Do not steal.
9. Do not lie.
10. Do not covet
Our sin separated us from Him (broken relationship). Romans 3:23 "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard."
The payment for what we have done is death. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord."
You get a paycheck for your work, in the same way there is a payment for sin, physical and spiritual death.
God loves us and wants this relationship with us. But sin separates us from God. We can't restore this relationship on our own. Ephesians 2:8-9 "God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
"Good works" will ALWAYS fall short. Being nice to people, reading the Bible, going to church, loving everyone, trying to be a good person.... none of this is good enough. Not even my moving to Africa to do helpful things or Mother Theresa and all the positive she did in this world is worth anything outside of Jesus Christ.
The Good News is that Jesus Christ is the Bridge to God our Father to restore this relationship. I Peter 3:18 "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God."
So there are people that HEAR about Jesus.
There are people that BELIEVE in Jesus. John 5:24 "I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life."
But then there are people that RECEIVE.... John 1:12 "But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God."
......His gift of Salvation and Restoration. I John 5:11-12 "And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life."
Here is a good illustration to this point that has been used for many years:
The great tightrope walker Blondin strung a wire from one side of the Niagara Falls to the other. A crowd gathered to watch him attempt to walk out over the deadly falls. The silent tension turned to cheers as they watched him walk out, turn and come back. He asked the crowd, “How many believe that I can walk to the other side and back while pushing a wheelbarrow?” To which they shouted, “We believe, we believe!” And, Blondin did in fact walk out and back with a wheelbarrow. Upon his return, Blondin asked, “Who believes I could push a man in this wheelbarrow while walking out and back on the wire?” Again the crowd responded with enthusiastic affirmation. “OK,” he asked, “Who would like to get in?” The crowd fell silent.
Trusting Christ is not simply assenting to the facts of the gospel message, there is a decision that implies actually getting into the wheelbarrow.
So where are you at? Have you just HEARD about Jesus? Do you BELIEVE in Jesus? Or have you RECEIVED His gift of salvation and 'climbed in to the wheelbarrow?' The awesome thing is though... we don't have to go get a manicure, pedicure, new hairdo, makeup, shower.... etc etc. before we climb in the wheel barrow. We climb in as is.
I climbed in to the wheelbarrow on April 3rd, 2002. A scary decision at the time... but the best one ever. I didn't try to clean myself up before I came to Christ. I came as I was and trusted Him, taking Him at His word to transform my life. It's a slow process, but a great one! We are all at a different place on the journey. We need to be careful on judging each other. We are all in a different place, but we are all united in Christ.
I pray that those watching the events transpire with Exodus International will see that it isn't an organization, a human, or anything else that changes you. It isn't 'praying away the gay' or anything else. It's ONLY JESUS CHRIST!! He is powerful and we better not put human limitations on His power.
I pray that those watching the events transpire with Exodus International will see that it isn't an organization, a human, or anything else that changes you. It isn't 'praying away the gay' or anything else. It's ONLY JESUS CHRIST!! He is powerful and we better not put human limitations on His power.
Here is a blog that I did find interesting addressing the Exodus announcements:
So in closing, love the gay community. They are great people just like you and I. As a matter of fact it drives me crazy to label them "the gay community." Why can't we all just be humans?! Love the neighbor in an adulterous affair. Love the neighborhood thief. Love the murderer. Love the drunk laying passed out on the street corner. Love those caught in false theology leading them away from the Truth of Jesus Christ. Love the drug dealer. BUT.... when given the opportunity don't be ashamed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. It is the only thing that will save them from punishment for their sin, which is eternal separation from God in hell.
2 Thessalonians 1:9 "They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power."
So these verses are my comfort as I stand firm in Jesus Christ. On days it seems like everyone else around me is going crazy and throwing the Bible out the window. I know it's not true, there are plenty of Christians standing firm, but there are also many letting popular culture get the best of them.
2 Timothy 1:8 "So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News."
I Corinthians 1:18 "The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God."
Joshua 1:9 "This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
