I went through four decades of being in business and did not ever sue anyone or be sued. While some might think I must have just been a pushover; I can tell you unequivocally that you would be wrong in that line of thinking. Granted I yielded to compromise even when I felt I was in the right on many occasions. In fact that is what successful negotiation is all about; one must give a little to gain a little. However when it came to my core positions I was as tough a negotiator as one could face.
I was thinking this morning how this correlates to today’s liberal churches. I read of many church organized celebrations of the recent Supreme Court rulings and was sickened. Whatever society wants to do seems to be just fine with them regardless of what the Bible has to say about it. No small wonder our country is suffering so.
The Bible is clear that we are not to compromise when it comes to the truths so carefully laid out for us in the Holy Bible. Yes there can be minor disagreements about some things like whether to dunk or sprinkle in baptism, because the Bible does not make clear exactly how God wants us to baptize. Since it symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection I always assumed that going under the water best depicted Christ’s sacrifice to death and triumph through resurrection; however I’m fine if someone wants to sprinkle. Indeed I had someone point out to me one time that the term “emerge” could have come from someone wading back to the bank after being sprinkled in baptism and “emerging” from the river.
Okay I’ll compromise on that line of thinking, but as for me I believe in going under the water and emerging. I believe the Lord is pleased with our effort to be like His Son who was baptized and follow Him in baptism.
So I suppose differing ideas about subjects can be viewed in varied ways, however if something is listed in the Bible as an “abomination” before God as is homosexuality, I draw the line and call a sin a sin. I can be mischaracterized as a bigot or hater until the cows come in, but I stand with the word of God. It is a sin and I hate sin, but I don’t hate the sinner. In fact I want to offer them true love in God as an alternative that will bless them forever.
Too many clergy want to deliver what their congregations demand, an endorsement of their lifestyle regardless of what the Bible has to say. And they fear their congregation’s opinion more than they fear God’s laws. Revival must begin in the church. I pray that church leaders far and wide will be brought under conviction and boldly preach the Gospel with conviction.
That does not mean judgmental self-righteousness. Nowhere in the Bible can I find where Jesus was more angered than when the Pharisees were burdening the people with impossible demands through rules that they devised. God is love and He is forgiving and His grace is undeserved by all, but available to all.
With that said, Jesus did not ever compromise when it came to the laws set forth in the Bible. Selah!
Have a great and safe holiday weekend. Take time out to visit Honey Lake Church or go to church somewhere this Sunday! Remember one of the Ten Commandments states to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy . . .
Matt. 5:17
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is
accomplished . . .”
July 3, 2015 – Click here to listen