Thoughts

Written by cycleguy on June 29th, 2015

After being out of the office since last Wednesday I found today hard-going. So much so that I delayed writing a post because I had a sermon to work on (this Sunday’s which I thought was already done). Plus…I didn’t want to just throw something together for the sake of getting it posted.

So…I decided to give my thoughts. About what?

This past weekend’s SCOTUS decision? Well…yes…AND…no.

I was working on that sermon I already mentioned when this Scripture came up: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” [Gal.5:13]

We live in a day of liberation. Men, women, even children, are demanding more freedom to do as they please. Is there any who doubt that statement? (Pause: remove head from sand. Unpause). In the name of personal rights, authority is flaunted and restrictions are resisted. Again…no need to elaborate.

Tragically, while we live in a day crying for liberation, we are also living in a day prevalent with addiction- alcohol, drugs (prescription and others), pornography, sexual passions, violence, and many other forms of bondage which many are powerless to escape. When people choose their own recourse and their own standard, the resulting consequences eventually consume them. [Read here for proof] Fallen man is a slave to his sinful nature, an addict who cannot successfully control his sinful thoughts and actions on his own.

However, there is a way out. It is a Man…a Man called Jesus. In John 8:34 Jesus said, “Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin.” But in verse 36 He said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Since we are all sinners we are all in need of being set free.

That won’t stop the “judgment-meter-outers” (yeah I know not a word). As I have often mentioned to the church, the standard is the Bible so there is to be no compromise. However, any judgment given must be given in love. Not hate. Not with a caustic edge. Love wins…not in the way they say…but love wins.

There is no deeper love than the love of the Father for His wayward, fallen children. Aaaaah that would be me. That would be you. Can we do any less than show love to others?

 

36 Comments so far ↓

  1. Ceil says:

    Hi Bill! I am reading a book right now about ‘joy’ and the author’s point is much like yours. Freedom is very misunderstood these days. We think it means ‘anything goes’. With that interpretation, we get in all kinds of trouble with addictions and passions that actually enslave and make us so unhappy.

    True freedom is having the parameter of love. Following Christ is all things. Not a lot of people like that idea. But it’s true…
    Hope you have a good day in the office,
    Ceil

    • cycleguy says:

      I def agree with your author Ceil. The freedom of “anything goes” is not all its cracked up to be. Boundaries are there for our good.

  2. Daniel says:

    The decision of the SCOTUS (which kind of looks like SCROTUM at first glance) doesn’t impact me personally or even anyone I know. The decision came and went without so much as a sigh in my life. It is not something that I can do anything about either. Grumbling, complaining, and mewling will solve nothing.

    • cycleguy says:

      I was out of the loop when it first came down. I heard about a day later. It affects me because of my ministry in a town which has an active PRIDE group. I’m not going to grumble, etc but will instead try to be proactive.

  3. Desert Jim says:

    Well written Bill!

    Welcome back.

  4. Yesterday in church we heard the call to be holy … and loving. Now to continue to figure out how to do that well as we make our way through this life.

    Welcome back, Bill !

  5. Jeff says:

    I certainly don’t believe in the “fallen man can’t control himself and his thoughts” without buying into the Jesus story. What nonsense. As for the SCOTUS decision I find it interesting that a large number of people that identify as Christian thought this was the correct outcome. I think something like 60% of all Americans and 30% of Christians. It really wasn’t a line between Christians and non Christians (or Jews and Muslims) but more of a line between bigots and non bigots. I am sure the scriptures will be reinterpreted toward the non-bigoted Christians way of thinking and everything will be just fine in 30 or 40 years when the bigots are dead.

    • cycleguy says:

      First,I don’t figure you would believe the “fallen man” thought. You do have to believe the Jesus story which I know you don’t. Second, I’d like to thank you for calling me a bigot. If being a bigot means I stand for what I believe the Bible says then I reckon I am. Third, I’m sure the bible will be reinterpreted to fit what is the going cultural thing. It has been for years. The Bible itself talks about saying “what itching ears want to hear.” That has been and will continue happening. Doesn’t make me or anyone else a bigot who refuses to buy into that. It does mean my standards are different. I have said it before and will continue saying it: why is it that those who want tolerance for their views become very intolerant and often unkind in their response to those who disagree with them?

      • Jeff says:

        big·ot
        (bĭg′ət)
        n.
        One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ

        I have no intolerance for those that disagree with my beliefs. I want everyone, rich/poor, gay/straight, young/old, Jesus follower/atheist, etc to have the same rights and opportunities, and respect and dignity, without being discriminated against for any reason. Religion is not a license to discriminate. If you think it is then see the definition for bigot.

        • techgeek says:

          I believe this definition of bigot could apply equally to those that oppose the Biblical view of marriage as well.

          I do find it interesting that marriage as a word has to be redefined to accommodate.

          Regardless, I am not bitter and do not hate those who have a different view point than my own, rather, I will continue to show the same love and grace that has been shown to me.

          • Jeff says:

            There are many Biblical views of marriage. I tend to be opposed to the Brother having to marry his brothers widow, or rapists having to marry the one who is raped, or purchasing the neighbors daughter, or multiple wives with a few concubines on the side. There seems to be all sorts of Godly ways to get a bride.

            • cycleguy says:

              The biblical view of marriage is given in Genesis and reiterated by Jesus in the Gospels. One man + one woman. The others were aberrations and not in line with God’s idea. Interestingly though, it does show God’s patience with our disobedience. Many of those you mention were cultural traditions.

              • Jeff says:

                I don’t recall him ever having a problem with the other variations. Maybe 1 man and 1 woman was first choice but the other variations didn’t seem to cause much concern.

  6. Lisa notes says:

    Yes, love wins. Always and forever. That is a Truth I’m glad we can lean on in the person of Jesus.

  7. Steve says:

    Every time Israel fell it was because they had forgotten God and didn’t care what God said. We shouldn’t expect any different. But Israel always had a remnant and I think we should focus on being the remnant; holding to the truth, but also in love and without fear.

    • cycleguy says:

      I have no intention of deferring or going AWOL Steve. I know there are those who are not giving into the prevalent philosophy of today. I choose to be one of them as well. I like your idea of being a remnant.

  8. God is love, so love wins in the true definition of love, not just a #hashtag.

  9. Sharon says:

    I was reminded of how the Bible once described people *doing what was right in their own eyes*. Wouldn’t that describe so much of what’s going on in the world today? But, we must be so careful not to point out other peoples’ specks when we have logs in our own eyes. We’re all fallen, we all need Jesus, and we are called to spread His love. Might HE give us the wisdom to do just that, in the way that He would.

    GOD BLESS.

    • cycleguy says:

      Israel got in trouble with that idea Sharon. The book of Judges is filled with that phrase. You are also right about being careful.

  10. Debbie says:

    Thank you, Pastor Bill, for sharing your thoughts. I too , was out of the loop and don’t know what happened and what it means. But, I think trusting Him and knowing He knows is a good place to start. 😉 God bless you and welcome back!

  11. We do have to show love to others at all times, Bill. Times and culture may shift and change, but God’s Word endures; we need to rest in His promises. Blessings!

  12. Betty Draper says:

    Well I am taking the easy way out for commenting and copying my comment on Jason post over at Connecting to Impact, on your post. Jason along with yours has spoken my heart in all the “breaking news” of the Supreme Court Ruling. Breaking news, dear God I hope not, I think most have seen it coming. Anyway Bill, for what it’s worth, below is my two simple cents worth.

    I have had to slap my hands more then once from wanting to write a post or comment on others post. Why…not because I am fooled into thinking this is anything other then what God said would happen when a nation gets away from God. The battle is raging right now, raging against us Christian who can easily start spinning our wheels about this as if God is surprised. He said it would be this way, just as in the days of Noah….people living for self without any thoughts of God. So I am going to turn my thoughts to the simple reason Jesus came to this earth, to seek that which was lost, to show the love of the Father through Him. No matter the state of our world now or back then, His message was not stopped. The issues He addressed was who God is, who man is, what sin is, and Who He was and still is. My stand on any of the issues out there will not win anyone to the Lord…it’s only when I give out the gospel, the Holy Spirit comes to bring conviction. Talking any other issue without the gospel in it is like wasted words. You have said it well brother, very well, praise God, praise God. If He be lifted up, all men will be drawn to Him. If we lift up the issues a few might be drawn until they find something they don’t agree with. Some consider this “simple minded” thinking, avoiding the issues…let me be simple then in my stand just as Joshua was, bowing down to Him and Him alone. Bless you brother for this post, it’s fueled my courage to fight the good fight, not the world fight but the same one Jesus did.

    And Bill, you both have said it well, much better then I could have, thanks for standing in the gap for Jesus.

    • cycleguy says:

      you said it well on Jason’s blog and appreciate your copy/paste here. 🙂 As for standing in the gap: I plan to keep doing that as long as God gives me breath.

  13. Ed says:

    I know it’s probably much more technical than it sounds, but from my understand the law itself isn’t forcing Christian Pastors to marry anyone that they don’t want to. Even so, this is a big wake up call for the pastors who aren’t holy enough to be holy enough, or to step down. God doesn’t play games.

    • cycleguy says:

      It is a wake up call Ed. A big one at that. No longer can the church assume we are “favored” in the world. It will be interesting to see what does develop in the way of churches and pastors and marrying people.

  14. cycleguy says:

    From Pam via email: Thank you for the encouraging words.
    I cannot begin to imagine what is next for our country.

  15. floyd says:

    With you on this one, Bill. Not anger, just honesty.