Why am I starting with this sin? the answer is well easy. I am guilty of it. I am completely guilty of this sin. So if I am guilty of it, I need to learn what it is and deal with it.
Let us first look at the Merriam- Webster definition.
http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/fornication
Pronunciation: "for-n&-'kA-sh&n
Function: noun:
consensual sexual intercourse between two persons not married to each other --
There it is in all it glory. Not much to real say is there? I wont go futher into it. You probly saying it took you this long?
Yes
Why?
There is alot of other things people have read into this. I had to ask myself a lot of questions. Here is what I found. Kristine and I was in a sinful relationship before we ever got married. It was wrong. I see that now. I had to seek forgiveness from God for that and there more to just saying I am sorry and going on. I needed to talk to God about it. I need to know what to say here. So sexual sin is rampet to day within the church. It HAS TO STOP! This message is for people who are in church.
It is time the church cleaned itself up. It can not point out sin when it self is covered in it. Not only are people tired of seeing two faced people but so is God!
I am going to answer a question that that took me so long. Can a man and woman live together?
The answer is yes and no. If they are not involved with each other, they could possible be able to live together. What that means they are not a couple that they live in separate rooms and do their own thing. Then they probably could live together and be fine.
Yet, if they are a couple then no. There is to much temptation there. Especially if there is not enough bedrooms for the occupancy of the house.
Best bet don't do either. God tells us to avoid anything that looks like it may be sinful. If we don't it makes him look bad and your a hypocrite.
Now this is for the church more than any thing when will you get your act together?
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
What is sin?
What are does some sins actually mean that the Bible talks about? Well I am going to start a series that will take a in-depth look at what these sins are. I will try to stick to a in-depth analysis of what these sins are and how they apply to today. So look for it!
Here will be the scripture will will use to begin with this will give you all time to read it and ponder where I am going with it. My first one will be on fornication.
Romans 1: 28-32
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Here will be the scripture will will use to begin with this will give you all time to read it and ponder where I am going with it. My first one will be on fornication.
Romans 1: 28-32
28And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Christian or Pharisee
Christian or Pharisee
Which of these two categories do you fall in? Now do not be quick to step up to the plate and say Christian. Before you make this choice let me define these labels more clearly. The first is the simplest one to define but the hardest to join.
I went to http://www.thefreedictionary.com and looked up the definition of Christian. Listed was the definition as an adjective and a noun. The one I want to focus in on is this one:
“3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.”
What are those qualities or spirit of Jesus? I think it can be summed up in Jesus own words in Luke 10:27, “27 and he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It is that easy! There is no secret on how to live like Jesus. It is hard thing to do, which is why the road to following Jesus is the one that is less traveled! That is why the way is narrow! It is because only a few people can do it! No, let me rephrase that, only a few people will do it! Consider a path when only one animal or person uses a path it is narrow. The path may be easily seen in some areas, while in other areas hard to follow! When there is, larger number of things using it, then it can be easily followed. A good example was the old buffalo trails in Indiana. Highway 150 that runs through my home town of Palmyra follows one of the old buffalo trails! It was wide, it was well worn and easier to follow than others! It so much so that the pioneers used it to cross Indiana.
The second group is the Pharisees. I will use the whole definition here.
“1. Pharisee A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.
2. A hypocritically self-righteous person.”
What words would you use to describe them? Here are some that came to mind.
Self Righteousness.
Condescending
Confrontational
Intolerable
Stiff necked
Hypocrites
To some extent, I am and or was all of these. God has seen fit to allow me to see issues in a different light and I desire not to be part of that second group. I want to share something with all of you that I learned. It changed me from a right wing Pharisee to a man that wants to be more like Jesus.
I made a trip to the Navajo Nation in Window Rock in 2004 that really showed me the problems with a belief based on a conservative Christian doctrine could do. One of the worst things that this country every devised was the Manifest Destiny doctrine. It was a destructive policy especially for the Native Americans. A quick definition of the policy was that the American people had a God given right to occupy or have the land from the Atlantic and Pacific. That policy or belief would have been fine if others were not already on that land. This policy lead to the Trail of Tears of the Cherokee, the Indian wars, and the eventual reservation system we have today. It was my experience at the Navajo Nation that changed me.
While helping deliver some items to the Navajo some of the elders blessed me by telling me their stories. I was never more ashamed, than I was at that moment, to be a Christian. It was then I decided I would try to be less of the second group. I began, and I am still on a journey to question ever belief that I was taught.
The stories were similar. Less than fifty years ago the children of the Navajo were rounded up and sent to “school”. While there they were not allowed to speak their native language or practice their customs. They had to be made like us after all they were nothing more than savages. Churches help build these schools, they believed that the ancient ways was of the devil, and began to try to exterminate that way of life. They had to be assimilated into the white mans way of life. I have so much contempt for churches now because of the things I heard and saw.
The attempt to spread Christ is a duty of all Christians. They way we go about it have lasting implications. Having the attitude that our way is the best way is wrong. The Pharisees had that attitude with Jesus. He used clear-cut examples where they were hypocritical. They wanted Jesus to conform to their interpretation of the scriptures. The refusal by Christ to conform made the them seek his death. I would suspect that had the Romans not been there, Jesus would have been stoned. We do that to day!
We need to show Jesus but we can do that by living like Jesus! We don’t have to preach to the people. We have to show them. We don’t have to take them from their way of life it isn’t our job. We show them by living and then they will want to be a Christian. They then can seek their own salvation like the Bible says we all should.
One reason, I stay involved with American Justice Institute is that we don’t want to push our beliefs on these people. What we want is to help them. Some in our group help by building things, taking items to families that need food, clothing, and maybe help build a suitable home. Others are continuing to make contacts to bring about other change on political fronts.
Some people have asked me about the Navajo leaving the Reservation. That is like asking us to leave the United States. Some people would others would not leave their home. Besides the land the of the Navajo is seen as a spiritual connection with it. God never commanded us to move people or forcibly change people. He told us to treat them, as we would want to be treated.
There is nothing wrong with taking things out to the Reservations and give them help, God knows that is needed, besides he says we are to help! The Navajo is not offended by the example of pure Love they will receive it. It is when there are strings attached that it becomes a problem. Take as an example of the woman washing the feet of Jesus as that of pure love with no strings attached.
When the woman washed the feet of Christ, who were the ones offended? Was it Jesus? Nope, it was the Pharisees and Simon! Jesus took it for what it was. A pure heart felt show of her love. (Luke 7: 36-48) Would you truly be upset if someone showed you that kind of love?
Never did God call upon us to treat others as the Pharisees treated Jesus. Yet we have done it throughout history and to it today. If you do not think so, then why do we have so many denominations of Christianity? When we think are way of life, our beliefs are infallible then we do harm to the Christianity as a whole.
The Native Americans as a whole is one example and the scourge of Slavery still haunts us today because we failed to treat the African Americans as God commanded us!
There is no excuse for us to treat one another the way we do. We can point to a million things and say this is why. Again, I point to the Bible that people like to throw around and ask you to find where Jesus ever said that we are allowed to treat people like this. If we truly treat people like the way he commanded us to, then more people would come to Jesus. We would truly be lifting him up and not our own beliefs or thoughts. I pray that I can be more like him every day. I look at which old prejudice ideas and thoughts come out of me had have them never to return. I pray that I cannot see the peoples outside but to see their heart and treat them as if I would want them to me. To help with no strings attached and show them the love. Maybe one day I can move my self from the Pharisees to the Christian Group. Each day I draw closer and I hope to learn more with each step.
Christians. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved August 5 2007 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Christians
Pharisees. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved August 5 2007 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Christians/pharisees
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=7&version=9
Which of these two categories do you fall in? Now do not be quick to step up to the plate and say Christian. Before you make this choice let me define these labels more clearly. The first is the simplest one to define but the hardest to join.
I went to http://www.thefreedictionary.com and looked up the definition of Christian. Listed was the definition as an adjective and a noun. The one I want to focus in on is this one:
“3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.”
What are those qualities or spirit of Jesus? I think it can be summed up in Jesus own words in Luke 10:27, “27 and he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.”
It is that easy! There is no secret on how to live like Jesus. It is hard thing to do, which is why the road to following Jesus is the one that is less traveled! That is why the way is narrow! It is because only a few people can do it! No, let me rephrase that, only a few people will do it! Consider a path when only one animal or person uses a path it is narrow. The path may be easily seen in some areas, while in other areas hard to follow! When there is, larger number of things using it, then it can be easily followed. A good example was the old buffalo trails in Indiana. Highway 150 that runs through my home town of Palmyra follows one of the old buffalo trails! It was wide, it was well worn and easier to follow than others! It so much so that the pioneers used it to cross Indiana.
The second group is the Pharisees. I will use the whole definition here.
“1. Pharisee A member of an ancient Jewish sect that emphasized strict interpretation and observance of the Mosaic law in both its oral and written form.
2. A hypocritically self-righteous person.”
What words would you use to describe them? Here are some that came to mind.
Self Righteousness.
Condescending
Confrontational
Intolerable
Stiff necked
Hypocrites
To some extent, I am and or was all of these. God has seen fit to allow me to see issues in a different light and I desire not to be part of that second group. I want to share something with all of you that I learned. It changed me from a right wing Pharisee to a man that wants to be more like Jesus.
I made a trip to the Navajo Nation in Window Rock in 2004 that really showed me the problems with a belief based on a conservative Christian doctrine could do. One of the worst things that this country every devised was the Manifest Destiny doctrine. It was a destructive policy especially for the Native Americans. A quick definition of the policy was that the American people had a God given right to occupy or have the land from the Atlantic and Pacific. That policy or belief would have been fine if others were not already on that land. This policy lead to the Trail of Tears of the Cherokee, the Indian wars, and the eventual reservation system we have today. It was my experience at the Navajo Nation that changed me.
While helping deliver some items to the Navajo some of the elders blessed me by telling me their stories. I was never more ashamed, than I was at that moment, to be a Christian. It was then I decided I would try to be less of the second group. I began, and I am still on a journey to question ever belief that I was taught.
The stories were similar. Less than fifty years ago the children of the Navajo were rounded up and sent to “school”. While there they were not allowed to speak their native language or practice their customs. They had to be made like us after all they were nothing more than savages. Churches help build these schools, they believed that the ancient ways was of the devil, and began to try to exterminate that way of life. They had to be assimilated into the white mans way of life. I have so much contempt for churches now because of the things I heard and saw.
The attempt to spread Christ is a duty of all Christians. They way we go about it have lasting implications. Having the attitude that our way is the best way is wrong. The Pharisees had that attitude with Jesus. He used clear-cut examples where they were hypocritical. They wanted Jesus to conform to their interpretation of the scriptures. The refusal by Christ to conform made the them seek his death. I would suspect that had the Romans not been there, Jesus would have been stoned. We do that to day!
We need to show Jesus but we can do that by living like Jesus! We don’t have to preach to the people. We have to show them. We don’t have to take them from their way of life it isn’t our job. We show them by living and then they will want to be a Christian. They then can seek their own salvation like the Bible says we all should.
One reason, I stay involved with American Justice Institute is that we don’t want to push our beliefs on these people. What we want is to help them. Some in our group help by building things, taking items to families that need food, clothing, and maybe help build a suitable home. Others are continuing to make contacts to bring about other change on political fronts.
Some people have asked me about the Navajo leaving the Reservation. That is like asking us to leave the United States. Some people would others would not leave their home. Besides the land the of the Navajo is seen as a spiritual connection with it. God never commanded us to move people or forcibly change people. He told us to treat them, as we would want to be treated.
There is nothing wrong with taking things out to the Reservations and give them help, God knows that is needed, besides he says we are to help! The Navajo is not offended by the example of pure Love they will receive it. It is when there are strings attached that it becomes a problem. Take as an example of the woman washing the feet of Jesus as that of pure love with no strings attached.
When the woman washed the feet of Christ, who were the ones offended? Was it Jesus? Nope, it was the Pharisees and Simon! Jesus took it for what it was. A pure heart felt show of her love. (Luke 7: 36-48) Would you truly be upset if someone showed you that kind of love?
Never did God call upon us to treat others as the Pharisees treated Jesus. Yet we have done it throughout history and to it today. If you do not think so, then why do we have so many denominations of Christianity? When we think are way of life, our beliefs are infallible then we do harm to the Christianity as a whole.
The Native Americans as a whole is one example and the scourge of Slavery still haunts us today because we failed to treat the African Americans as God commanded us!
There is no excuse for us to treat one another the way we do. We can point to a million things and say this is why. Again, I point to the Bible that people like to throw around and ask you to find where Jesus ever said that we are allowed to treat people like this. If we truly treat people like the way he commanded us to, then more people would come to Jesus. We would truly be lifting him up and not our own beliefs or thoughts. I pray that I can be more like him every day. I look at which old prejudice ideas and thoughts come out of me had have them never to return. I pray that I cannot see the peoples outside but to see their heart and treat them as if I would want them to me. To help with no strings attached and show them the love. Maybe one day I can move my self from the Pharisees to the Christian Group. Each day I draw closer and I hope to learn more with each step.
Christians. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved August 5 2007 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Christians
Pharisees. (n.d.) The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. (2003). Retrieved August 5 2007 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Christians/pharisees
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=49&chapter=7&version=9
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