If there is one thing I've learned throughout my
relationship with Christ, it's that God is not into the whole "wide
road" thing. The road to heaven is truly narrow just like he says.
I've just read an article that blew my mind away. A New York
Times opinion piece talked about a man named Jeff. Jeff is a born and raised
Southern Baptist man, who eventually became gay.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/05/opinion/bruni-reading-gods-mind.html?ref=opinion)
Frank Bruni (writer of this column) writes: "But has [The Bible] been
translated correctly? Interpreted the right way? Are they timeless verities or
— more logically — reflections of an outmoded culture and obsolete mind-set?
And if all of the Bible is to be taken literally, shouldn’t Christians refrain
from planting multiple kinds of seed in one field or letting women speak in
church or charging interest to the poor?
“You can twist the Bible any way you want,” Jeff told me,
adding, “We overemphasize sexual morality, as if God puts a premium on what we
do in the bedroom over what we do at the bank.”
After reading this article, I am put in a state of unease as
I read countless articles of people who feel the same as Frank and Jeff. People
truly do think that the Bible is outdated and interpreted in the wrong way. Let
me give you a couple of scriptures that puts this argument at rest.
Hebrews 3:18 says "Jesus is the same yesterday, today,
and forever."
Malachi 3:6a says, "I the Lord, do not change."
If people truly believed in these verses, then the Christian
population of the world would be drastically different. This blog post is not
just to talk about homosexuality, but of the specifics in the Bible.
First off, the Bible:
Is without error. (Psalm 12:6)
Is inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16)
Does not change with time. (Matthew 5:18)
Is eternal. (Psalm 119:89)
If all of this is true... then some believers are in big
trouble. God does not change with time, and this means his standards are not
going to change either. Sure, we don't have to offer sacrifices every time we
sin anymore. But this is only because the perfect sacrifice was offered so that
we could have a way to be delivered from sin.
I don't know how many times I have heard from people's
mouths, "I don't believe that the whole Bible is relevant anymore. People
were stoned because they disobeyed their parents, so why is it accepted
now?"
Well, just because people put up with this stuff today
doesn't mean God does.
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all
the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their
wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God
has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s
invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.
(Romans 1:18-20)
The last time I checked in the Bible, it read that God hated
sin. He will not let sin go unpunished. It is true that sin has become a normal
thing in this day in age, but when is the last time you heard that God thought
it was okay to stab someone because someone said something mean about your mom?
If one of God's morals have gone down the drain, then by golly, all of them
should. And since that is not the case, then we still face a God that has not
changed.
If God's morals have not changed, then his commands and laws
have not changed either. Not in:
Homosexuality (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Lying (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Stealing (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Adultery (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Using His name as a cuss word (Exodus 20:7)
Preaching (Mark 16:15)
Setting good examples (Titus 2:7)
Guarding our tongues (Proverbs 18:21)
Treating others with respect (Matthew 7:12)
Forgiveness (Matthew 5:16)
Love (1 Corinthians 13)
All of these things are just a small glimpse at His will on
our life. Yet we treat these like things we should try to do. The last time I
checked, the Bible verses that I just listed didn't have anything to do do with
the words, "I would prefer if you did this..." or "maybe you
should try this..." God says grounded words like, "Go."
"Do." "Do not." "Be." "If you don't,
then..." These are not suggestions. God's words are commands which are
usually followed by warnings. Take 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 as an example:
Or do you not know
that the unrighteous[a] will not inherit the kingdom of God kingdom of God
Don't treat the Bible like many Christians treat it. These
are not suggestions! These are warnings, commands, and a guide through this
tough life. It's not meant to harm, it's meant to keep you from an eternity of
death. Take God's words into account. Don't try to follow, give up all you've
got to follow. It's the end times. We can't be messing around in sin when Jesus
comes back. Don't be asleep. Be vigilant and awake.
~Whatsoever Things Are True
Philippians 4:8
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