As a kid growing up in a home that attended church gatherings of all kinds, I was exposed to lots of teaching about “salvation issues.” Things like: No mix swimming. No dancing. No playing ball on “church night.” No attending prom. No missing any worship gatherings. Looking back, it was a “NO” to everything type of “religion.” To further complicate matters, the ones who created the “salvation issues standards” would stand on the steps of the church facilities and smoke their cigarettes and gossip about everyone in the church and then stomp out their cigarettes on the ground and go into the worship gathering as if they were the holier than thou elitist.
For years my
head was filled with teachings about salvation issues that never could be
substantiated from Scriptures. My mind
was warped with teachings that God never said was wrong or hell bound if I did
any of them. I was taught everything but
“real” salvation issues. For the men who
created the “standard” of moral living, struggled with the legalism
themselves. The “rules” were so hard to
follow that it set everyone up to fail.
God never
intended for anyone to set “salvation issues” based on their ideologies and
personal theology. God’s Word is the
standard by which we live out our lives.
I’ve often heard the motto from the Churches of Christ restoration
movement, “Speak Where the Bible Speaks and Be Silent Where the Bible is
Silent.” If this motto is biblically
true, then all of us are in a heap of trouble, biblically. There are no commands for many of the things
we do such as, building church facilities with elaborate decorations and paying
thousands of dollars on heating and air conditioning each month. Some may say; that is ridiculous. Yes, it is!
But, if we are going to be consistent in our journey, we must ensure we
don’t teach convenient truth, rather we teach God’s truth.
The journey
through salvation is a courageous journey.
It is a journey in which we learn the real truth about salvation and the
issues we face every day that can throw us into spiritual chaos. The spiritual journey we are on isn’t about
going to prom or mix swimming or playing ball on a “church night,” rather it is
about an unwavering desire to be connected to the Lordship of Jesus and to
allow the indwelled Spirit to guide us in the pursuit of right living.
God’s Word
clearly states salvation issues that can send those who are entrenched in the
godless behavior to hell. God does not
sugarcoat evil behavior for the sake of popularity; nor should we.
For many, the
“BIG” salvation issue is homosexuality.
It seems that our nation is intrigued with “coming out of the closet”
and watching weddings of same sex couples getting married. But homosexuality isn’t any bigger than
others that God names in the-group of “will not inherit the kingdom of
God.” Galatians 5:19-20 and
1st
Corinthians 6:9.
It is easy to
point a finger at gays and lesbians, but take no responsibility for lying, hating,
creating discord, selfishness, envy, drunkenness, pornography, gossiping and so
on. Jesus said in Matthew 5:28, “But I say, anyone who even looks at
a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Is it possible we all have the hidden sin of
lust and the only two people who know it are you and God? Count me in!
Is it possible that we get so caught up in what everyone else is doing
that we’ve broken God’s standard, too?
The journey through salvation is paved with many challenges
that can rip at the heart of all of us at given time. The Apostle Peter said, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great
enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to
devour.”
1st Peter 5:8
If Satan can distract us by keeping us
looking at everyone else but ourselves, then before we know it, we are
his. “Salvations issues” are not the
prom nor playing ball, rather how we behave at either one of the events. God’s “salvation issues” will create a
troubling eternal life if we go against his best for us.
When one says YES to Jesus because they
have learned his ways and desire to live like him, our community, State,
Country, and World will change for the better.
Shootings like the one at the Emanuel AME Church will never happen
again. Drunk driving will decrease and
less fear will increase.
We must never create a legalist society
based on our own views, but rather search carefully what is really important to
God. Nothing will make God angrier than
any church or individual who thinks they have cornered the market on the only
right church and condemns everyone else.
Keep traveling the journey. Seek first his righteousness. Be love.
Be forgiving. Be prayful. Be Jesus. Be godly.
Be hope. I would love to chat with you about Jesus if you are
interested. Call me at 836-2874 or email
me at thegreatestcommandislove@gmail.com
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
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