Jesus_is_LORD
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- Nov 10, 2015
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Hard questions, Harder answers, and the Hardest evidence.
(Pray prior to reading this)
Why? Is anything wrong?
I ask the question to you today my brothers and sisters in Christ, "Why? Is anything wrong?" It is a question that the world is asking and we should not take it lightly. The body of Christ is struggling with this as our world turns further and further away from God. As a result of society’s separation from God, we live in a world where the God fearing and God taunting are brought together to run society. Those who don’t fear God are not compromising in their position, but unfortunately many who believe they are in Christ, are compromising. Many are losing courage and seem to lack the fortitude to say that something is wrong. As the body of Christ we must be bold and strong, knowing that the Lord our God is with us (Hebrews 13:5[1]). In the end it comes down to acknowledging the simple fact that things are wrong because God says so. If we lose the courage to use the authority of God to justify our position, we will lose the ability to stand for anything.
Two governing bodies
In society I draw your attention to two governing bodies, the family and the government. In many families there are accepted rules outlining what is wrong and what is right. In our government the same is the case. Looking at most governments, laws are based on the fact that society, like in the family, has come together and said as a group, we believe this is wrong and we must enforce it.
Origins: case #1
A simple example common in most governments is that fact that murder is illegal. This is legislated and it is enforced, but how did society come to determine that it was wrong to kill? Despite what some may think; laws against murder did not originate out of mankind’s personal knowledge of right and wrong. To find out the answer we must go back to the beginning in Genesis when the first murder happened. After the fall of man and the entrance of sin into world (Romans 5:12[2]), Abel became the first murder victim. He was killed by his brother Cain. We know that this act was wrong because of God’s reaction. God said to Cain in Genesis 4:10[3], “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground…” We know it was wrong because God punished Cain for his actions. If there was any doubt, Cain himself acknowledges that he was punished as verse 13[4] reads, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”
More evidence
We also know that killing is wrong because God tells us in Genesis 9:5-6[5], “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” God tells us that life is precious, especially human life, which is made is God’s image. For those who were not sure and thought that God perhaps was talking just to a select few, God reminds us again in Exodus 20:13[6] through the Ten Commandments. It came by way of Moses and read, “Thou shall not kill”.
We use to listen
God had given us his laws and after learning about what was wrong from God mankind adopted God’s laws into our laws. Laws against stealing (Genesis 20:15[7]) to lying (Genesis (20:16[8]) were added to the law books and scrolls of man because God had spoken and man listened. Such laws are woven into the fabric of our society so deeply that we forget that we know these things are wrong because God first told us.
Looking for good, don’t look at your heart
It is very important to realize that something as basic as murder is wrong because God first told us it was. If we don’t understand that simple case, the rest of the reflection may have little conscientious resonance. Unlike what the enemy would have you believe, mankind did not originate the idea that it is wrong to kill, and we would not have without the aid of God. God, our moral compass, guides us into the light of truth (Proverbs 3:5-6[9]). James 4:1[10] says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want so you quarrel and fight…” Jeremiah 17:9[11] reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Ever since in the Garden of Eden; God has given us free will, his laws, and the consequences. Notice this illustrated in the next quote in the words, “free”, “must not”, “commanded”, and “certainly die”. God tells Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:16[12], “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; for when you eat from it you will certainly die’”. Like God did, governments today follow suit by giving their citizens free will, a command (law), and enforce consequences for breaking the law.
We know this is true
Deep down we all know that mankind is prone to evil because it rest in all of us. As previously stated, apart from God mankind does not head in the direction of good. This is why some of the most so called surprising acts of evil, are exposed by perpetrators who believed that no one was looking. We see this when hidden camera footage expose horrendous acts of police brutality, child predators caught in the act, and much more. All this is done because those individuals thought that they did not have an audience, and when people think they have privacy they do what they want. You know this and I know this. We know that mankind cannot be trusted to do the right thing in the simplest matters. Take a look at legal contracts. We have legal contracts for simple business transactions. Think about it, a contract is nothing more than a way to appeal to a legal authority to hold a fellow human accountable for something they promised to do? If people could be trusted to do the right thing, we would not need to have such legal contracts.
Therefore? / Connecting the dots
If we understand that we know what is right because God has told us and we understand that by itself mankind drifts towards evil, let us connect the dots. So I’ll start with a hard question (get ready), if something like killing is wrong because God said so and we are comfortable having laws in our government to enforce it; why is it that on other issues also clearly wrong in the Bible such as homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13[13], Leviticus 18:22[14]) and drug use (Ephesians 5:18[15]), we have a problem telling people it is wrong? I repeat, if we are comfortable saying “killing is wrong because God says so, and I would vote for a law supporting it”, why would we hesitate or stutter in thought to say “gay marriage is wrong because God says so and I would support a law on this issue?” Well, I will answer this for you. The reason is that with gay marriage the God mandate is very clear, and many feel uncomfortable telling others in our sinful society, “don’t do this because God says its wrong”. As governments move farther away from using God as the authority it becomes unpopular to say “this is wrong because God said so.” With killing, the God mandate is not as clear to some; many are misled into thinking that the authority that says “thou shall not kill” (in Exodus 20:13[16]), comes from man and not God. This is why many feel comfortable standing up and saying killing is wrong but don’t stand up on other issues.
OOPS (The dilemma)
Unfortunately upon realizing that the mandate to not kill comes from God, many Christians are caught in a dilemma. Because they struggle with saying this is wrong because God said so, they back down from even standing up to murder in certain cases. They then allow euthanasia (mercy killings) and abortions, all clearly acts of murder where the blood of humans are shed (Genesis 9: 1-8[17]). This happens because many are more comfortable using mankind as the authority then God, as a result; The devil can hide acts such as abortion under the banner of “women’s rights”, and gay marriage under the banner of “the love of consenting adults”. Being even more uncomfortable using God as the authority some will ask, "what about separation of church and state?" I remind these individuals that the church is not an organization, you are the church, you are the body of Christ. You can no more be separated from the state then to be removed totally out of it. The Jews wanted to separate Jesus from their state and since he was the church at that time and he refused to stop preaching the Gospel, they had no other option but to kill him. I'm glad He didn't separate himself willingly from the state; allowing me to one day be separated from my sins.
Case #2 (We can help)
But remember saints, when God sent Jonah to Nineveh to speak against its wickedness (Jonah 1:2[18]); He didn’t tell Jonah to only speak out against certain sins and to ignore the sins that man consented to and give authority for. He didn’t do this because the authority to declare right and wrong comes from God not man. He told him to warm them that destruction was near if they didn’t repent. Fortunately Jonah was obedient because through him the people were spared. Jonah 3:10[19] reads, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”
Case #3 (Too little too late)
Jonah was a success story for the nation but not all nations have been spared. I think about BT-GLASS groups (Bisexual, transgender, gay, lesbian, and straight supporters) and I focus on the straight supporters. I ask, why would we support someone in sin instead of loving them into a relationship with Jesus? I look at the example of Sodom and Gomorrah and imagine that even in that city there were likely straight supporters. Individuals who were not necessarily participating in all the acts of evil, but passively or actively supported others in evil instead of helping them through the Love and authority of God. God said to Abraham, if I find even ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah I will not destroy it (Genesis 18:32-33[20]). But not ten righteous people were found in the city and God sent His angels who told Lot, “The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it (Genesis 19:13[21]).” Lot tried to saved his sons-in-laws but it was a bit too little too late. Genesis 19:14[22] reads, “So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, ‘Hurry and set out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city; But his sons-in-laws thought he was joking’.” Lot had not warned them earlier of their sins while living with them in Sodom but instead passively enabled them through silence. So at this last moment it was a joke for them to hear him stand up for righteousness and they laughed at him and didn’t believe.
On who’s authority? (The dilemma continues)
If we as people of God are uncomfortable using the authority of God, we will not have the grounds to tell people that anything is wrong. If it is not wrong because God said so, it is wrong because man says so. But wait! Who is man that he should know or lean towards right versus wrong? Proverbs 1:7[23] says, “The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Knowing right and wrong first comes by the fear of God. I repeat, if you lack the courage to say something is wrong because God says so, you have only two options left. Option one, you can say “it is wrong because I (or someone else) said so, or options two; you can just allow them to stay in their sin and not tell them that anything is wrong(do nothing). Both alternatives are not an option for the Christian. Option one is not an option because we are told to not judge anyone based on our own authority but on God's. He is the judge(Luke 6:37[24]). Option two is not an option because we are called to be the light of the world and salt of the earth and thus cannot remain silent (Matthew 5:13-14[25]). If you do remain silent you lose credibility and when you finally speak up the world will laugh at you as they did with Lot.
Stand on love (God is love)
The world tells us, “If you love me you will let me stay in my sin”, but the Bible tells us if you love someone you will act to save them (John 3:16[26]). “For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” God shows us that love causes us to act not to remain passive. We too are call to help the world believe so they will live, but they won’t believe unless we tell them (Romans 10:14-15[27]). We won’t tell them if we lack the confidence to use the authority of God. If you don’t use God’s authority, you will be left with a dilemma on your hands when the world ask you, “Why? Is anything wrong !?!”
The final answer
We should answer the world with a loving answer. Let them know that things are wrong not because man or woman say so, but because God has revealed them to us in his word(The Bible). But remind them that Jesus has died for all our sins past, present, and future, and we are not under the law anymore if we accept Him(Jesus) in our hearts (Romans 6:14[28]). Lighten their load(Matt 11:30[29]) and let them know that this means that you can’t earn your salvation by good works, but simply through believing in Jesus(Ephesians 2:8-9[30]). We believe this by faith and we are called to live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7[31]). God says it, and we believe it. It is God’s grace that calls us to fall in love with Him, repent of our sins, and do his will. His grace is not given to enable people in sin but to empower them out of it (Romans 2:4[32]).
That’s it (relationship not religion)
When people understand that Jesus loves them just as they are (Romans 5:8[33]), they will love Him(Jesus) and freely respond to be just what He has called them to be(Romans 2:4[32]). This is the power of God’s tremendous love for us, and THIS is the love we are called to share with the world (John 13:34-35[34]). In Christ you have the power, and in Christ you have the authority. Now love like Jesus.
Christian Spiritual Food ( Christian Spiritual Food )
Bible Verse References
(Please read full verses in the Bible for context, because not all full verses given, notice “…”)
1. Hebrews 13:5: “…be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
2. Romans 5:12: “…sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, … death came to all people, because all sinned.”
3. Genesis 4:10: “The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”
4. Genesis 4:13: “Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”
5. Genesis 9:5-6: “… I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. 'Whoever sheds human blood,…”
6. Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.”
7. Genesis 20:15: “You shall not steal.”
8. Genesis 20:16: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
9. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord … and lean not on your own understanding… and he will make your paths straight.”
10. James 4:1: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
11. Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
12. Genesis 2:16 “And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;...”
13. Leviticus 20:13: “…If a man practices homosexuality,… sex with another man … both men have committed a detestable act…”
14. Leviticus 18:22 “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
15. Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,”
16. Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.”
17. Genesis 9: 1-8 <Too long to post read story of Sodom and Gomorrah>
18. Jonah 1:2: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me”
19. Jonah 3:10: “When God saw … they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring … destruction…threatened.”
20. Genesis 18:32-33: “…He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it….”
21. Genesis 19:13: “…The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”
22. Genesis 19:14: “ Hurry and get out of this place, … Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.”
23. Proverbs1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
24. Luke 6:37: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned...”
25. Matthew 5:13-14: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
26. John 3:16: “…God so loved the world that he gave his … only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but…
27. Romans 10:14-15 “…how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone…”
28. Romans 6:14 “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace..”
29. Matthew 11:30 “...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light...”
30. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith...Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
31. 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
32. Romans 2:4: “…not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
33. Romans 5:8: “...But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
34. John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
(Pray prior to reading this)
Why? Is anything wrong?
I ask the question to you today my brothers and sisters in Christ, "Why? Is anything wrong?" It is a question that the world is asking and we should not take it lightly. The body of Christ is struggling with this as our world turns further and further away from God. As a result of society’s separation from God, we live in a world where the God fearing and God taunting are brought together to run society. Those who don’t fear God are not compromising in their position, but unfortunately many who believe they are in Christ, are compromising. Many are losing courage and seem to lack the fortitude to say that something is wrong. As the body of Christ we must be bold and strong, knowing that the Lord our God is with us (Hebrews 13:5[1]). In the end it comes down to acknowledging the simple fact that things are wrong because God says so. If we lose the courage to use the authority of God to justify our position, we will lose the ability to stand for anything.
Two governing bodies
In society I draw your attention to two governing bodies, the family and the government. In many families there are accepted rules outlining what is wrong and what is right. In our government the same is the case. Looking at most governments, laws are based on the fact that society, like in the family, has come together and said as a group, we believe this is wrong and we must enforce it.
Origins: case #1
A simple example common in most governments is that fact that murder is illegal. This is legislated and it is enforced, but how did society come to determine that it was wrong to kill? Despite what some may think; laws against murder did not originate out of mankind’s personal knowledge of right and wrong. To find out the answer we must go back to the beginning in Genesis when the first murder happened. After the fall of man and the entrance of sin into world (Romans 5:12[2]), Abel became the first murder victim. He was killed by his brother Cain. We know that this act was wrong because of God’s reaction. God said to Cain in Genesis 4:10[3], “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground…” We know it was wrong because God punished Cain for his actions. If there was any doubt, Cain himself acknowledges that he was punished as verse 13[4] reads, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”
More evidence
We also know that killing is wrong because God tells us in Genesis 9:5-6[5], “And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.” God tells us that life is precious, especially human life, which is made is God’s image. For those who were not sure and thought that God perhaps was talking just to a select few, God reminds us again in Exodus 20:13[6] through the Ten Commandments. It came by way of Moses and read, “Thou shall not kill”.
We use to listen
God had given us his laws and after learning about what was wrong from God mankind adopted God’s laws into our laws. Laws against stealing (Genesis 20:15[7]) to lying (Genesis (20:16[8]) were added to the law books and scrolls of man because God had spoken and man listened. Such laws are woven into the fabric of our society so deeply that we forget that we know these things are wrong because God first told us.
Looking for good, don’t look at your heart
It is very important to realize that something as basic as murder is wrong because God first told us it was. If we don’t understand that simple case, the rest of the reflection may have little conscientious resonance. Unlike what the enemy would have you believe, mankind did not originate the idea that it is wrong to kill, and we would not have without the aid of God. God, our moral compass, guides us into the light of truth (Proverbs 3:5-6[9]). James 4:1[10] says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want so you quarrel and fight…” Jeremiah 17:9[11] reads, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” Ever since in the Garden of Eden; God has given us free will, his laws, and the consequences. Notice this illustrated in the next quote in the words, “free”, “must not”, “commanded”, and “certainly die”. God tells Adam and Eve in Genesis 2:16[12], “And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; for when you eat from it you will certainly die’”. Like God did, governments today follow suit by giving their citizens free will, a command (law), and enforce consequences for breaking the law.
We know this is true
Deep down we all know that mankind is prone to evil because it rest in all of us. As previously stated, apart from God mankind does not head in the direction of good. This is why some of the most so called surprising acts of evil, are exposed by perpetrators who believed that no one was looking. We see this when hidden camera footage expose horrendous acts of police brutality, child predators caught in the act, and much more. All this is done because those individuals thought that they did not have an audience, and when people think they have privacy they do what they want. You know this and I know this. We know that mankind cannot be trusted to do the right thing in the simplest matters. Take a look at legal contracts. We have legal contracts for simple business transactions. Think about it, a contract is nothing more than a way to appeal to a legal authority to hold a fellow human accountable for something they promised to do? If people could be trusted to do the right thing, we would not need to have such legal contracts.
Therefore? / Connecting the dots
If we understand that we know what is right because God has told us and we understand that by itself mankind drifts towards evil, let us connect the dots. So I’ll start with a hard question (get ready), if something like killing is wrong because God said so and we are comfortable having laws in our government to enforce it; why is it that on other issues also clearly wrong in the Bible such as homosexuality (Leviticus 20:13[13], Leviticus 18:22[14]) and drug use (Ephesians 5:18[15]), we have a problem telling people it is wrong? I repeat, if we are comfortable saying “killing is wrong because God says so, and I would vote for a law supporting it”, why would we hesitate or stutter in thought to say “gay marriage is wrong because God says so and I would support a law on this issue?” Well, I will answer this for you. The reason is that with gay marriage the God mandate is very clear, and many feel uncomfortable telling others in our sinful society, “don’t do this because God says its wrong”. As governments move farther away from using God as the authority it becomes unpopular to say “this is wrong because God said so.” With killing, the God mandate is not as clear to some; many are misled into thinking that the authority that says “thou shall not kill” (in Exodus 20:13[16]), comes from man and not God. This is why many feel comfortable standing up and saying killing is wrong but don’t stand up on other issues.
OOPS (The dilemma)
Unfortunately upon realizing that the mandate to not kill comes from God, many Christians are caught in a dilemma. Because they struggle with saying this is wrong because God said so, they back down from even standing up to murder in certain cases. They then allow euthanasia (mercy killings) and abortions, all clearly acts of murder where the blood of humans are shed (Genesis 9: 1-8[17]). This happens because many are more comfortable using mankind as the authority then God, as a result; The devil can hide acts such as abortion under the banner of “women’s rights”, and gay marriage under the banner of “the love of consenting adults”. Being even more uncomfortable using God as the authority some will ask, "what about separation of church and state?" I remind these individuals that the church is not an organization, you are the church, you are the body of Christ. You can no more be separated from the state then to be removed totally out of it. The Jews wanted to separate Jesus from their state and since he was the church at that time and he refused to stop preaching the Gospel, they had no other option but to kill him. I'm glad He didn't separate himself willingly from the state; allowing me to one day be separated from my sins.
Case #2 (We can help)
But remember saints, when God sent Jonah to Nineveh to speak against its wickedness (Jonah 1:2[18]); He didn’t tell Jonah to only speak out against certain sins and to ignore the sins that man consented to and give authority for. He didn’t do this because the authority to declare right and wrong comes from God not man. He told him to warm them that destruction was near if they didn’t repent. Fortunately Jonah was obedient because through him the people were spared. Jonah 3:10[19] reads, “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.”
Case #3 (Too little too late)
Jonah was a success story for the nation but not all nations have been spared. I think about BT-GLASS groups (Bisexual, transgender, gay, lesbian, and straight supporters) and I focus on the straight supporters. I ask, why would we support someone in sin instead of loving them into a relationship with Jesus? I look at the example of Sodom and Gomorrah and imagine that even in that city there were likely straight supporters. Individuals who were not necessarily participating in all the acts of evil, but passively or actively supported others in evil instead of helping them through the Love and authority of God. God said to Abraham, if I find even ten righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah I will not destroy it (Genesis 18:32-33[20]). But not ten righteous people were found in the city and God sent His angels who told Lot, “The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that He has sent us to destroy it (Genesis 19:13[21]).” Lot tried to saved his sons-in-laws but it was a bit too little too late. Genesis 19:14[22] reads, “So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, ‘Hurry and set out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city; But his sons-in-laws thought he was joking’.” Lot had not warned them earlier of their sins while living with them in Sodom but instead passively enabled them through silence. So at this last moment it was a joke for them to hear him stand up for righteousness and they laughed at him and didn’t believe.
On who’s authority? (The dilemma continues)
If we as people of God are uncomfortable using the authority of God, we will not have the grounds to tell people that anything is wrong. If it is not wrong because God said so, it is wrong because man says so. But wait! Who is man that he should know or lean towards right versus wrong? Proverbs 1:7[23] says, “The fear of God is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Knowing right and wrong first comes by the fear of God. I repeat, if you lack the courage to say something is wrong because God says so, you have only two options left. Option one, you can say “it is wrong because I (or someone else) said so, or options two; you can just allow them to stay in their sin and not tell them that anything is wrong(do nothing). Both alternatives are not an option for the Christian. Option one is not an option because we are told to not judge anyone based on our own authority but on God's. He is the judge(Luke 6:37[24]). Option two is not an option because we are called to be the light of the world and salt of the earth and thus cannot remain silent (Matthew 5:13-14[25]). If you do remain silent you lose credibility and when you finally speak up the world will laugh at you as they did with Lot.
Stand on love (God is love)
The world tells us, “If you love me you will let me stay in my sin”, but the Bible tells us if you love someone you will act to save them (John 3:16[26]). “For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” God shows us that love causes us to act not to remain passive. We too are call to help the world believe so they will live, but they won’t believe unless we tell them (Romans 10:14-15[27]). We won’t tell them if we lack the confidence to use the authority of God. If you don’t use God’s authority, you will be left with a dilemma on your hands when the world ask you, “Why? Is anything wrong !?!”
The final answer
We should answer the world with a loving answer. Let them know that things are wrong not because man or woman say so, but because God has revealed them to us in his word(The Bible). But remind them that Jesus has died for all our sins past, present, and future, and we are not under the law anymore if we accept Him(Jesus) in our hearts (Romans 6:14[28]). Lighten their load(Matt 11:30[29]) and let them know that this means that you can’t earn your salvation by good works, but simply through believing in Jesus(Ephesians 2:8-9[30]). We believe this by faith and we are called to live by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7[31]). God says it, and we believe it. It is God’s grace that calls us to fall in love with Him, repent of our sins, and do his will. His grace is not given to enable people in sin but to empower them out of it (Romans 2:4[32]).
That’s it (relationship not religion)
When people understand that Jesus loves them just as they are (Romans 5:8[33]), they will love Him(Jesus) and freely respond to be just what He has called them to be(Romans 2:4[32]). This is the power of God’s tremendous love for us, and THIS is the love we are called to share with the world (John 13:34-35[34]). In Christ you have the power, and in Christ you have the authority. Now love like Jesus.
Christian Spiritual Food ( Christian Spiritual Food )
Bible Verse References
(Please read full verses in the Bible for context, because not all full verses given, notice “…”)
1. Hebrews 13:5: “…be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'”
2. Romans 5:12: “…sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, … death came to all people, because all sinned.”
3. Genesis 4:10: “The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.”
4. Genesis 4:13: “Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is more than I can bear.”
5. Genesis 9:5-6: “… I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. 'Whoever sheds human blood,…”
6. Exodus 20:13: “You shall not murder.”
7. Genesis 20:15: “You shall not steal.”
8. Genesis 20:16: “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.”
9. Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord … and lean not on your own understanding… and he will make your paths straight.”
10. James 4:1: “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
11. Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?”
12. Genesis 2:16 “And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden;...”
13. Leviticus 20:13: “…If a man practices homosexuality,… sex with another man … both men have committed a detestable act…”
14. Leviticus 18:22 “Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.”
15. Ephesians 5:18 “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,”
16. Exodus 20:13 “You shall not murder.”
17. Genesis 9: 1-8 <Too long to post read story of Sodom and Gomorrah>
18. Jonah 1:2: “Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me”
19. Jonah 3:10: “When God saw … they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring … destruction…threatened.”
20. Genesis 18:32-33: “…He answered, “For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it….”
21. Genesis 19:13: “…The outcry to the Lord against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it.”
22. Genesis 19:14: “ Hurry and get out of this place, … Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.”
23. Proverbs1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
24. Luke 6:37: “Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned...”
25. Matthew 5:13-14: “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.”
26. John 3:16: “…God so loved the world that he gave his … only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but…
27. Romans 10:14-15 “…how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone…”
28. Romans 6:14 “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace..”
29. Matthew 11:30 “...For my yoke is easy and my burden is light...”
30. Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith...Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
31. 2 Corinthians 5:7 “For we live by faith, not by sight.”
32. Romans 2:4: “…not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?”
33. Romans 5:8: “...But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
34. John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
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