Get out of the mud puddle!

One of my favorite chapters of the Bible is Romans 8.  It is rich with God’s love and reassuring to those who are followers of Jesus Christ.  One of the verses that always stand out to me within this chapter is Romans 8:17.  It says “ Now if we are children, then we are heirs —heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”

What does it mean to be an heir?  If God is our King, then what does that make us?  Paul states it clearly to us:  we are heirs.  If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, then you are due an inheritance that is mind blowing. 

Here are some of the facts awaiting you as a follower of Jesus concerning your inheritance:

• We will live in God’s house for eternity.  John 14:2
• You will someday see the face of God. Revelation 22:1-5 (This is awesome!  Take a second to read this scripture!  Whoo!)
• You are, at this moment and forever more, blameless and without sin in the eyes of the Lord.  Psalms 103:12
• God, your Father loves you so much.  Romans 8:38-39

So let me ask a simple but stern question:  if we are truly heirs of the King, why do we spend so much time living like peasants, playing in mud puddles?  Children who belong to the King live in the palace.  They wear the finest clothes.  They want for nothing.  They have unlimited access to the throne, and can see and communicate with their Daddy any time they want.  They don’t live in the street, eating out of trash containers, begging for scraps.  They aren’t locked out of the palace.  Their room is right next to their Father’s room.

What is my point?  I meet so many Christians who still live like condemned sinners.  The continually put shackles on their feet even though God has already removed them.  They live defeated.  So many of the folks I meet and talk with live as if they are still bound for hell.  They are stuck in a repetitive cycle of losing, gaining and losing their salvation again.  This up and down rollercoaster keeps their eyes focused on this world and blind to the one to come.  Here are some points I am trying to make:

• As an heir your inheritance has NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU!  It’s God’s choice.  He made you His child, and adopted you.  Stop trying to prove yourself worthy.  You’re not, but Christ is.  That is why He died and rose again for you.    
• Your inheritance cannot be lost.  It is bound in Christ.  IT IS FINISHED!
• Your inheritance is a real thing.  It has already been given to you.  Claim it.

As God’s child, you are free.  Run about the palace.  Live your life wide open!  Your shouldn’t be living as a condemned prisoner but a special child of God.

Today, make a conscious effort to claim your inheritance.  Bathe in the warmth of God’s grace.  Dance in the forgiving rains that Jesus showers upon you.  Get out of the mud puddle and start living in the palace where you belong.

Gay Marriage & The Gospel

This week in North Carolina (our neighboring state here in the US) a bill was passed banning gay marriage.  Many states have already passed similar bills, and each time this happens, some people (many of them Christians) flood Facebook and twitter and spew derogatory and hateful remarks towards the homosexual community.  I have seen this scenario repeat itself several times, and as this happened this week a few thoughts went through my mind:

·        Low hanging fruit:  the Christian community seems to be quick in judging homosexuals in their lifestyle because they themselves are not practicing homosexuals.  The Bible clearly states that people of the same sex should not have sex with one another.  ("'Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable. (Leviticus 18:22 NIV).  The Bible calls this lifestyle sinful but as Christ followers it does not give us the right to condemn, judge or berate those who live in such a manner. 

·        Salvation is for them too!  I hear people who call themselves Christians speak of homosexuals like they are lost causes.  No one is hopeless when it comes to hearing about salvation. 

“The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (Mark 10:26, 27 NIV)

If we as Christians approach the topic of homosexuality with a “burn in hell” mentality, we are not in line with the Gospel.  Jesus loves them too.

·        Where’s the love?  If we ever question how we should act, always go back to the example Jesus left for us to follow.  How does Jesus interact with homosexuals?  A good example is how he treated the woman at the well.  (John 4)

When speaking to her, Jesus first shares with her the good news of salvation.  He points out salvation before dealing with her sexual sin.  He loves her first.  As Christians, love will break through any barrier, not condemnation.  Jesus loves her first by treating her with respect.  When asked about her sin, He speaks the truth.  He points out to her that the lifestyle she is living is sinful, and that there is a better way.  This example should be followed when we (as followers of Jesus) interact with anyone living a homosexual lifestyle.  We are to love them first, build the relationship and then speak truth to them about Jesus. 

·        From the inside out:  Passing legislation isn’t the answer.  If we pass laws banning gay marriage, what has that accomplished?  Is it our desire to win the battle but lose the relationship?  Will people who are gay wake up tomorrow after a law was passed and still be homosexuals?  Jesus was concerned with the relationship and not the argument.  For years I struggled with the sin of lust / pornography.  As I grew in my relationship in Christ, Jesus pointed out to me that He didn’t want this lifestyle for me anymore.  He began to work on my heart.  It was because of Him that I began to see improvement.  It is because of my relationship with Christ that I desired to turn away from pornography and towards a deeper love for Jesus.  It wasn’t because of a law banning pornography.  It was because other Christians loved me through that time of my life and I grew in my relationship with Jesus.

·        Who are your friends?  When Jesus entered a new town during His ministry, the first thing He would do is meet and eat with sinners of all kinds.  Whether it was tax collectors, prostitutes, etc. it didn’t matter to Him.  He wanted to build the relationship. 

When was the last time we (as Christ followers/the Church) invited a homosexual couple to Church?  When was the last time we went to lunch with someone who was gay?  If you are a Christian, ask yourself this question:  How many of my facebook friends are gay?  If we call ourselves Christ followers but never interact with other folks who are homosexual, are we doing our job living out the gospel?

Don’t get me wrong.  Do I believe in gay marriage?  No.  Do I believe homosexuality is a sin?  Yes.  I also believe that masturbation, alcoholism, pride, gossip, adultery, obesity, lust and a variety of other things that plague us as human beings (and the church) are too.  My point is that we (as the Church) must so a better job loving those around us no matter what their place is in life instead of bashing them.  Homosexuality is easy to persecute.  What would it look like if we were quick to love those who are gay instead of ostracizing them?  Maybe then they would be more receptive to hear what we have to say about Jesus and the life of freedom He has in store for them.