Gay Awareness: The Biblical Truth
Very well said!
Then Jesus told His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” – Matthew 16:24
Comparing the Bible to the Koran?
Some in order to defend the Koran will run to the Bible. Notice, when we need to defend the Bible, we use the Bible to defend itself. But almost every other literature wants to defend itself by the Bible, and sometimes they do so by means of “selective reasoning”.
I have heard many try to justify the passages of violence in the Koran by pointing to passages in the Bible. Why can’t the Koran justify its war without pointing to the Bible?
The reason for war in the Bible was always a case for dealing with sin. Moreover, each time there was war it was with a specific nation, closed commands leaving no room for acting on those commands today. And if that isn’t enough, when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus, Peter drew his sword to fight. Jesus rebuked Peter and told him “put your sword back in its place, those who live by the sword will die by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). Even when it appeared most justified (defending the Lord Jesus) to fight or war, Jesus didn’t allow it. Instead, the Bible says things like “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12) So senseless violence, like the Crusades, that would have claimed to be in the name of Christianity would be in direct violation with what the Bible teaches.
Can we say the same for the Koran? I tend to try to avoid these conversations, it is better to let the Muslims use their Koran to defend their Koran. But I will say this much however. We cannot use part of Surah 5:32 (like some only take part of the verse) as a synonym in application to the Bible’s Exodus 20:13. Why? Because Surah 5:32 says “Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely…”
The verse from the Koran was given to the Children of Israel, the Jews, not to the owners of the Koran, the Muslims. Therefore, a jihadist or muslim extremist can deem himself justified when he kills because the verse was directed to the Jews. That is not to say the verse is not a universal one, being applicable to even the Muslims (it could be or could not), but as it is written currently, having the Israelites as the subject, a jihadist can ignore the verse and not apply it to himself. Unless there are other verses in the Koran to defend itself, the Koran leaves open interpretation as to how Christians and Jews are to be treated.
“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.” – Surah 2:190
“And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.” – Surah 2:191
“And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” – Surah 2:192
“Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah . But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.” – Surah 2:193
Muslims claim that Surah 2:191 is taken out of context by critics. But Surah 2:193 shows otherwise. Notice that the condition to stop fighting INCLUDES worship to Allah. It says “there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah”. The important logical operator here being AND. So fight them until they submit or worship Allah. Some have said that these verses are of the past. Well, that’s wonderful if they are, we should cease all this senseless violence now. Moderates, please show the muslim extremists the passages that prove these verses are within a historical timeframe and no longer applicable for today.
I believe it is good to strive for peace. Unfortunately, it will not happen in the way that we are striving for now. Sin is very real, and there are real spiritual forces out there meaning to cause harm. The final war until real peace is recorded in the Bible, a time well known as “armageddon”. Jesus will one day return to throw the devil into the Lake of Fire. Jesus will judge the living and the dead. All those who have accepted His free gift of salvation will live in eternal peace, but to those who have rejected Him will be separated from Him forever in torment by all that is not good.
There is a lot of debate about whether Islam is a religion of peace or not. It is actually irrelevant whether Islam means peace or not. The Koran contradicts itself since even by its standards Jesus is very special. “And [mention] the one who guarded her chastity, so We blew into her [garment] through Our angel [Gabriel], and We made her and her son a sign for the worlds.” – Surah 21:91 Can you really trust a book that declares Jesus to be born of a virgin, yet in the same breath declare that He is not the Son of God? If He was born of a virgin, then exactly of who could He be begotten of if He’s a good prophet? Must He not be begotten of God, hence the Son of God? In the self conflicting Koran, Jesus is more highly spoken of than Muhammad, subjectively speaking of course; depending on whether one would find a miracle birth and miracles more appealing than the legacy that Muhammad left behind.
Dear friends, do not be left behind trying to defend and indefensible cause. Come to Jesus. He has declared that He is the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father but by Him. (John 14:6) Jesus loves you very much. Can you find any where in the Koran where Allah declares his unfailing love for his people? On the contrary, you can find it in the Bible in so many places, and the word of His love is backed with many actions of sacrifice, forgiveness, mercy and grace. What’s there to choose but Jesus? No comparison at all, Jesus forever the eternal Word of agape love and goodness.
QA: Couldn’t God Just Not Create Hell?
So here we are, at one of those “couldn’t God just do it like this” questions. This question might be interesting, but it exposes a gross misunderstanding about the nature of God (holy where sin cannot dwell), the nature of man (created in the image of God) and what happens when man disobeys God (broken fellowship with God).
What makes Hell hell has more to do with not experiencing God than anything. The Bible says all good things come from God (James 1:17). Therefore, Hell is a terrible place because nothing good is there, since a person in Hell is out of God’s presence. So this person experiences no more good things like laughter, mercy, grace, love. A rejection of God on earth is an automatic rejection of all those other good things. Now think about it…do we go sit and genuinely fellowship in the house of someone we reject as a friend? Good things we experience are all “commodities in God’s house”.
Human beings were created in God’s image which means free will that builds character is an attribute that we have. Free will determines whether someone likes pink or blue, chicken or fish etc etc. God wants people to worship Him freely (John 4:24). Otherwise, there’s no real love involved. Hell was originally prepared for the devil and his demons (Matthew 25:41). Lucifier and a third of the angels choose rebellion against God. Their anti-God behaviour costed them His presence. That place out of God’s presence is called Hell. People who have rejected fellowship (by not repenting of sin and accepting His free gift of salvation) with Jesus Christ will go there. They didn’t want to be with God on earth, so why should He force them to spend eternity with Him? God’s desire is that people will choose Him freely and avoid separating themselves from His presence and all the good that comes with being with Him for all eternity in the next life.
For the Glory of God
Our actions generates celebrations from one of two kingdoms. “Do things for the glory of God” is not for God’s benefit, as God is already all sufficient. Operating for His glory is a benefit to us. When we do or say something that His kingdom can rejoice in, we welcome Psalm 91:11 in our lives.
On the contrary, when we do or say something that the enemy and his kingdom can rejoice in, we reject God, and join the company of the enemy and his bandwagon.This saddens God because He knows the enemy has nothing but death to offer us. And God’s desire for us is to have life through Him the life giver, and have that life in abundance.
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31
Consult God First
There was a brother in Christ who told me that whenever his daughter would come to him with issues, he’d ask her if she had first talked to God. If she’d say no, he’d tell her go talk to God first then come back to him after. The earthly father was teaching something crucial here, “the principle of God first”.
There is so much anger and malice I’m reading these days that it is clear some of us aren’t following that principle. Particularly because the words spoken/written are contrary to the Word of God.
What part of pray for your leaders do believers not understand? What part of put away anger and malice is confusing? Our feelings are not always facts. Angry at your leader? Don’t like him/her? Pray for them. If you are a believer in Christ, it is your duty to represent the Lord as He calls us to. Nothing more shameful than believers acting worse than those in the world.
1 Timothy 2:1-3
Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…
Ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
This works in all cases. We need to consult God first in our lives. We can end up in all sorts of trouble otherwise and end up saying things that we only regret later on. Let’s take a page from Nehemiah from chapter 2. Notice when the king (who had reasonable authority to grant Nehemiah’s request) asked Nehemiah what he wanted, Nehemiah prayed to God before responding. Urge us (myself most definitely included) to do the same. Amen.
Nehemiah 2:4-5
Then the king said to me, “What do you request?”
So I prayed to the God of heaven. And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, I ask that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ tombs, that I may rebuild it.”
A Child Born, but a Son GIVEN
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6
Notice that the child was born, but the son was given. Signifying once more that Jesus was on Earth as God in the flesh. He was, is and is to come. Thank You Jesus for leaving your Heavenly home to save us from our sins! We owe it all to You.
Merry Christmas all! May our minds and hearts be focused on the Giver of the Gift of Salvation; for there is no gift greater than the one given by our Great God. Amen!
Innocent Blood
This has been on my heart for a while now. Over the year think I have been really jolted into the reality of how brutal it is to kill the innocent in the womb. I have been trying to avoid speaking on the issue, but alas I will speak.
Below is a graphic and sad picture of what many babies face when they are aborted.
In the OT, many nations were cut off because they sacrificed and burned their children to false gods. Today, many have raised “choice” and “situation” as reason to abort the child in the womb. I believe it grieves God greatly.
With the win of Donald Trump, and his promise to elect justices that will rule against abortion, I believe we have made a turn for good. Had we selected the alternative, who knows, maybe we would have been like past nations, been cut off too.
So yes, the election was about the Supreme Court because in it shapes the direction of the nation.
The image is indeed graphic. But selected for a reason. In the Bible described an account (Judges 19) where a woman was gang raped. She was found dead at the threshold of her home. Her master, grieved by what had happened to his concubine, cut her lifeless body into 12 pieces and mailed them to the leaders to show the kind of evil that happened in the land. I am sure the graphic body parts caught the attention of those leaders. In the same respect, I hope that the image catches your attention to grieve for the life of the innocent.
“Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same one form us both within our mothers?” – Job 31:15
If God gave that life, we do not have the right to take it away.
I would have to say that freedom is not the right to do whatever we want, but the right to choose what we ought. If we do whatever we want and end up breaking the law of the land, in the natural we end up in jail. In the spiritual, die in such a state of sin and we go to an eternal prison separated from Jesus.
It is my hope that we will turn from the idea that it is okay to kill the innocent in the womb.
Finally, may the Lord grant Donald Trump and Mike Pence all wisdom, health and protection to lead the great nation of the United States and in turn, may those who do not yet know the Lord Jesus, turn to Him for the forgiveness of sins and life eternal. Amen.
Struggle
Struggle. We all have our seasons. If you’re a believer in Christ and find yourself discouraged remember that you’re not alone. There are several reasons why we each find ourselves in this place:
1. Sometimes it is actually not anything we have done wrong. The devil came after even Jesus, surely he will come after followers of Jesus. In these times, we just need to speak the Word against whatever accusations the enemy is speaking out against us.
2. Sometimes we are doing all sorts of things for God (taking care of others/ministry), but not taking timeout to be with God Himself. Martha, Martha, go sit at the feet of Jesus.
3. The pressures of life get to us. We worry, we fear and we want to walk by sight, as the unknown plunders away at our faith. In these times, we need to look back at the character of God. Check out His miracles (up to what He is doing today), study His universe. Think about it, God spoke great balls of fire into existence! On a personal level He heals sickness, warns us of danger etc; His mighty works are too numerous to mention. We need to remember that when we have Jesus in our boat we have nothing to worry about.
4. Sometimes we are engaged in activities, like listening to certain kinds music, watching certain movies etc that may be permissible but not beneficial. What we deposit is what we are able to withdraw. Put that stuff down and return to a heart of worship.
5. And sometimes, we are just in plain sin. If it is habitual, encourage us to speak to at-least one mature believer in Christ about it. When we shed light on what we do in the dark, the enemy loses that foothold of strength he has in darkness.
Regardless the reason, God is faithful, He cares and will complete the good work He begun in us. Living for Christ is a daily thing. Yesterday’s manna is yesterday’s manna. Not because we prayed 15 minutes yesterday means we can run on yesterday’s prayer.
Anyhow, let’s pray for one another and cover one another. 🙂
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
The heart of the enemy is no match for the love of God
Thanking God for another opportunity to share Him. Read an article where a man took out rage on a 2 year old boy and punched him so hard the child died of internal bleeding. Saw later a video of a man burning the face of a cat with welding fire. Wickedness to the core. Truly traumatized by what I saw/read.
These kinds of acts show the kind of heart the devil has. God is angry at sin as He sees how depraved it makes us, it hurts us. All of creation mourns since that first Fall, and we have been on a downward spiral ever since. If you don’t know Jesus, give your life over to Him today. He loves us very much and died to save us from such depravity. He asks you to trust Him today. Spending an eternity with the alternative is indescribable. Turn to Christ today and be free from the wages of sin.
I know some of us have a lot of questions for God, but how many of us can say that we become friends with someone after knowing everything about them? We first enter a relationship with the person and get to know them along the way through a personal relationship. Same thing with our relationship with God. Get into a personal relationship with Him. See that truly He is good. And He has a plan for mankind; He will one day make all things new. What a wonderful promise; what a wonderful God.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Holy, Loving Immutable God
I was watching a video where an atheist was questioning a preacher on why Jesus had to die on the cross. He apparently didn’t like God’s plan of redemption. In his own “wisdom”, he was suggesting alternative way for how God could have dealt with our sin. The preacher responded to his questions by iterating “Jesus died for your sins, you either believe or not.” The answer was not good enough for the unbeliever however, and he accused the preacher of not knowing what he believed. The channel where the video was hosted was also filled with comments against the preacher.
One of the comments: “Typical. Christians refuse to answer the hard questions.”
That statement is fallacious, and applies a broad brush on Christians as a whole. There are multiple reasons why some believers do not engage in certain discussions. As one example, some find that getting into long debates strays from the real issue of “to believe or not to believe” in Christ.
Anyhow, the answer to the atheist’s question is simple. God rules according to His own nature. He is holy, truth, life, merciful and love, plus all other characteristics of goodness, so is He. Another thing about God’s nature is that it is immutable. Since His ways do not change, sin can never enter His presence. After the Fall (accounted in Genesis), we are all now born into sin. Since sin is contrary to God, contrary to life (remember God is the Life), then sinners are in the position of death. The Bible also says we have all fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), so none can claim to be sinless. Jesus simply had to come because He is the source life, and He needed to rescue us from death. There is no other way. Someone had to go into the place of death. God had to carry out justice. God’s standard is perfection as He is perfect. Since we have all sinned, a perfect substitute had to redeem us. That is why in the Old Testament God required a lamb without blemish. We could never self attain our own salvation by thinking our idea for salvation is better than God’s because we are blemished. We cannot use self efforts for salvation because our works are blemished, as we are blemished.
It is therefore not and never will be a case of God saying “hey, no hard feelings about your sin.” Because if sin does not lead to death, and we can maintain perfect fellowship with God in sin, then God’s nature is not what is said of Him. Jesus Christ came to the cross on our behalf because we have already placed ourselves in the position of death, and to redeem us from death, life had to come. Jesus is life. Through the cross, God’s attributes were in full display, His holiness, His graciousness, His love, His mercy…His immutable unchanging nature all showed who He is, God Almighty. If we say we want God to do contrary to all of these, then it is not God we want, but wickedness, a god who changes his mind whenever, a god of injustice, and a god who has no absolute standard of truth. Fortunately, God is God, and will never fit into all the little boxes that wretched human beings want Him to fit into. The fact of the matter is, even after all this is said, people will still choose to reject the Gospel, unless they humble themselves and seek God without a “I know more than you mentality”.
“The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” – 2 Corinthians 4:4
They are blinded because they are in the realm of death, satan’s realm. Unless we repent and walk into the realm of life, on the side of Christ, we will remain blinded by the enemy.
I hope this answer blesses someone today. Glory to God that He does not change. Hallelujah! His justice is always correct.
Psalm 19 – The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul;
The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
Yea, than much fine gold;