In the beginning, God created everything, and the sun still shines down on all, both good and bad. But man misused his freedoms in disobedience to his Creator, and the whole world fell under the curse of sin.
People weren't stupid, there has never been an atheist civilization found. They knew there was a God and couldn't deny that fact from creation and order in the universe.
Yet, in their disobedience and rebellion, they denied the one true God of the Bible, and made up gods of their own, fashioned after their own image.
Worthless idols without standards, who would not hold them accountable, that would allow them to rebel and sin without consequence.
All of this, subjected all of creation to the curse, and all of sinful mankind to the danger of punishment in the eternal lake of fire.
So, are you any better, do you think that you deserve anything different?
Let's find out. Do you think that you've kept God's Law?
The Ten Commandments are God’s moral standard in outline form. We've already shown that mankind in general has not kept God first in their lives and created idols for themselves, breaking the first two commands: 1- to have no other Gods and 2- no idolatry.
Let’s go through the rest and see how you do:
3-No Blasphemy - Have you ever used the Lord's name in vain? OMG, JC or anything like that?
4-Remember the Sabbath (Col 2:16) - Have you set aside one day in seven to give back to the Lord who has given you everything?
5-Honor Parents - Have you always done this or have you been a bit of a brat at times like the rest of us?
6-No Murder - The Bible says that if you hate your brother without just cause, you have violated this one and are in danger of judgment.
7-No Adultery - Jesus said that if you've looked with lust, you've already committed adultery in your heart.
8-No Stealing - Have you ever stolen anything, regardless of value?
9-No Lying (Rev 21:8) - Have you ever told an exaggeration, half truth or even a little white lie?
10-No Coveting - Even our thoughts will be judged, because that's where it begins, before we actually take any action.
So, how did you do? Would you be found innocent or guilty if judged by this standard?
You know you’d be found guilty, none of us have kept them all. Being found guilty, would you be let into heaven or sent straight to hell?
God is perfect, He is holy, righteous and just. And that is why He cannot overlook your sins and just let you, a guilty criminal, into heaven anyway. Because that would not be just.
In order for justice to be satisfied, the fine must be paid - the wages of sin is death and eternal punishment in the lake of fire.
The punishment is eternal because you’ve sinned against an eternal God.
But God is loving and full of mercy, and He created a way - one way - for you to be saved from the lake of fire, while still upholding His righteousness and remaining just. Do you know what He did?
He paid the penalty for you, by sending His Son, Jesus Christ - God in the flesh - who lived a perfect, sinless life and then suffered and died, crucified on a cross to pay the fine for us.
This wasn't just physical punishment, as horrible as that was, that paid your fine. It was the wrath of God poured out, the wrath that you and I deserve.
Now, someone might ask, "How can one Man, suffering for a few hours, dying and then rising from the dead, pay the penalty for all man’s sins?"
I'll tell you how. Because that one Man was fully man, yet fully God at the same time, worth more than all of creation, and He is the only One who could pay the fine for you.
You cannot pay your fine, because it is your own sin that condemns you. No one else can do it, because they've all got their own sins to deal with.
Only God Himself could live a completely sinless life, and then pay our fine by laying down that life as a sacrifice for our sins. If Jesus is not God, then we're all still in our sins and under wrath, because salvation is of the Lord!
Only through Jesus Christ, can we be saved from the flames and made into a new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Now, what must you do in order to make this free gift your own? This isn't some kind of automatic payment that allows you to continue in your sins, no, that would be trampling the blood of our Savior.
Hebrews 10:29
How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
There are two things that you must do in order for this sacrifice to pertain to you:
First, you repent of your sins, which means you stop committing them, turn away from them, forsake them.
You should hate those sins that you once loved as much as God has always hated them.
Then we trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, submitting to Him as Lord and obeying His commands.
Hebrews 10:26-27
If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
You’ve received the knowledge of the truth, what you do with that now is up to you.
But keep in mind that 150,000 people die every day. That's two people every second, off into eternity, and at that point, it's too late to change your mind.
You’ve got to be made ready on this side. The Bible tells us it is appointed man once to die and then the judgment, and it says that it's a fearful thing for a sinful man to fall into the hands of the living God. Repent and trust in Christ alone!
Don't put it off until tomorrow because you may not have tomorrow. Today is the day of salvation!
Monday, January 6, 2014
Friday, December 27, 2013
Saturday 12-20-13
Dan and I met out on Mill Ave and began setting up our boards. A guy named Alan stopped by as soon as I had the board up. He liked the illusion and the "genius" questions, so he agreed to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
We found that he was not as good as he had thought when we went through some of the Ten Commandments. He had broken all four of the ones we went through, and by his own admission was found to be a lying, coveting thief, and a blaspheming adulterer at heart.
Even realizing that he was not "good", he claimed that the thought of judgment and hell didn't concern him. He believed that heaven and hell are what we make of it. I pray that he realizes the error in human thinking before that day of judgment comes.
He was homeless, so I gave him a Gift For You tract that includes some money, to help him out.
A little while later, another homeless guy named Joseph showed up. He said that he had heard that you can get some money for food if you came over here and took a test.
Well, that is not exactly how it works, but let's see how you'd do.
I took him through the GPT and explained the need for a Savior. After talking to him for a while, I gave him one of the same tracts I had given the first guy with cash inside. Now I was out of those. I had more at home, but hadn't stocked up on them.
Then Dylan, another homeless guy that had got word that the street preachers were giving away money, stopped by.
I talked with him and shared the Gospel after showing him his need for a Savior, so that it would make sense, then gave him a dollar and an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract, since I was out of the other ones. I normally won't give money away without a tract any more.
And then a guy named Nick, who was passing out cards for the rooftop bar stopped and talked with me for a bit. He said he was Catholic but fell away. We had a pretty good conversation, I took him through the GPT, but he didn't seem real convicted. Still, he has some stuff to consider regarding eternity.
I explained to him that none of us are guaranteed another day, and that 150,000 people die every day. We've got to get this figured out on this side.
Seeds planted, pray that the Lord would work in him.
Next I talked with a guy named Andrew and his friend. He said he was not a good person, but agreed to go through the Good Person Test, anyway.
I explained the Gospel and gave them glow sticks, as a demonstration of God's grace, with a couple of Gospel tracts to take with them.
I talked to a couple of kids that stopped to check out the sign but didn't catch their names. We went through the GPT and I gave them each glow sticks and a Gospel tract.
Then I talked to Chris, who was not a believer and claimed that he could not believe in the "tyrannical" God of the Bible, who could create people knowing that they would sin and end up in hell. I tried to give him an explanation, but as is usually the case in matters like this, he didn't want one. He just wanted to argue.
Then he went over to Dan to harass him for a while before leaving.
After that, a whole team of about five extremely tall guys stopped to check out the board and take the GPT. 3 or 4 more of them stopped by and they were all headed somewhere. I had to rush, but got them all the way through the test. I did not catch any of their names. I did give the one that answered most of the questions a glow stick, explaining that he didn't earn it because he had failed the GPT, and that it was a small demonstration of God's grace, in giving us the much larger undeserved gift of eternal life if we would repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.
It was a very busy night evangelizing on Mill Ave.
Soli Del Gloria
We found that he was not as good as he had thought when we went through some of the Ten Commandments. He had broken all four of the ones we went through, and by his own admission was found to be a lying, coveting thief, and a blaspheming adulterer at heart.
Even realizing that he was not "good", he claimed that the thought of judgment and hell didn't concern him. He believed that heaven and hell are what we make of it. I pray that he realizes the error in human thinking before that day of judgment comes.
He was homeless, so I gave him a Gift For You tract that includes some money, to help him out.
A little while later, another homeless guy named Joseph showed up. He said that he had heard that you can get some money for food if you came over here and took a test.
Well, that is not exactly how it works, but let's see how you'd do.
I took him through the GPT and explained the need for a Savior. After talking to him for a while, I gave him one of the same tracts I had given the first guy with cash inside. Now I was out of those. I had more at home, but hadn't stocked up on them.
Then Dylan, another homeless guy that had got word that the street preachers were giving away money, stopped by.
I talked with him and shared the Gospel after showing him his need for a Savior, so that it would make sense, then gave him a dollar and an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract, since I was out of the other ones. I normally won't give money away without a tract any more.
And then a guy named Nick, who was passing out cards for the rooftop bar stopped and talked with me for a bit. He said he was Catholic but fell away. We had a pretty good conversation, I took him through the GPT, but he didn't seem real convicted. Still, he has some stuff to consider regarding eternity.
I explained to him that none of us are guaranteed another day, and that 150,000 people die every day. We've got to get this figured out on this side.
Seeds planted, pray that the Lord would work in him.
Next I talked with a guy named Andrew and his friend. He said he was not a good person, but agreed to go through the Good Person Test, anyway.
I explained the Gospel and gave them glow sticks, as a demonstration of God's grace, with a couple of Gospel tracts to take with them.
I talked to a couple of kids that stopped to check out the sign but didn't catch their names. We went through the GPT and I gave them each glow sticks and a Gospel tract.
Then I talked to Chris, who was not a believer and claimed that he could not believe in the "tyrannical" God of the Bible, who could create people knowing that they would sin and end up in hell. I tried to give him an explanation, but as is usually the case in matters like this, he didn't want one. He just wanted to argue.
Then he went over to Dan to harass him for a while before leaving.
After that, a whole team of about five extremely tall guys stopped to check out the board and take the GPT. 3 or 4 more of them stopped by and they were all headed somewhere. I had to rush, but got them all the way through the test. I did not catch any of their names. I did give the one that answered most of the questions a glow stick, explaining that he didn't earn it because he had failed the GPT, and that it was a small demonstration of God's grace, in giving us the much larger undeserved gift of eternal life if we would repent of our sins and trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation.
It was a very busy night evangelizing on Mill Ave.
Soli Del Gloria
Friday, December 20, 2013
Homophobic?
I wouldn't call it "homophobic". I'm not any more afraid of a homosexual than I am anyone else.
I mean, I've seen the gang violence of the "gay" population when Christians are simply stating what the Bible says on the subject and opposing their lifestyle as sin, and that looks like a fearful place to be.
It reminds me of the large groups of radical Muslims who attack Christians.
Although, Muslims also see homosexuality as sin, so what is it going to look like when those two violent groups collide?
I think a better term to describe this would be "sinaphobia".
I am afraid of the righteous and just wrath of the Almighty Creator of the universe when He comes against those who would attempt to oppose Him (Luke 12:5).
I am afraid of the judgment that is coming down upon my country as we sit idly by and condone all kinds of sin and make excuses for it (Romans 1:32).
I am afraid for those who would pour out contempt and blaspheme the name of the One who created them and the environment they live in, the One who gives every blessing and allows every breath and heartbeat (Hebrews 10:31).
I mean, think about it. He created everything you know in the universe and much more that you aren't even aware of! Out of nothing! Beings more powerful than you can even imagine, tremble at the very mention of His name, yet mere mortals deny His very existence for the sake of their sins.
I am not "homophobic" and I do not hate homosexuals, I fear for them greatly. And this is why I will speak the Biblical truth to them in love, that they also might repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation from the eternal hell that we all deserve (www.needgod.com).
Homosexuality is only one in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If one would truly trust in Him, the love for their sinful lifestyle would change (1 John 1:9), they would become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Soli Deo Gloria
I mean, I've seen the gang violence of the "gay" population when Christians are simply stating what the Bible says on the subject and opposing their lifestyle as sin, and that looks like a fearful place to be.
It reminds me of the large groups of radical Muslims who attack Christians.
Although, Muslims also see homosexuality as sin, so what is it going to look like when those two violent groups collide?
I think a better term to describe this would be "sinaphobia".
I am afraid of the righteous and just wrath of the Almighty Creator of the universe when He comes against those who would attempt to oppose Him (Luke 12:5).
I am afraid of the judgment that is coming down upon my country as we sit idly by and condone all kinds of sin and make excuses for it (Romans 1:32).
I am afraid for those who would pour out contempt and blaspheme the name of the One who created them and the environment they live in, the One who gives every blessing and allows every breath and heartbeat (Hebrews 10:31).
I mean, think about it. He created everything you know in the universe and much more that you aren't even aware of! Out of nothing! Beings more powerful than you can even imagine, tremble at the very mention of His name, yet mere mortals deny His very existence for the sake of their sins.
I am not "homophobic" and I do not hate homosexuals, I fear for them greatly. And this is why I will speak the Biblical truth to them in love, that they also might repent of their sins and trust in Jesus Christ for their salvation from the eternal hell that we all deserve (www.needgod.com).
Homosexuality is only one in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If one would truly trust in Him, the love for their sinful lifestyle would change (1 John 1:9), they would become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Saturday 11-02-13
Mill Ave Evangelism
A couple of girls stopped by to take the genius test but didn't want to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
However, I was able to give them a Trillion Dollar Bill tract as they left.
A large group of people stopped and enjoyed the genius test, but only Robert went through the GPT, he said he was a Christian, but I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract anyway.
A guy named Austin stopped by with his girlfriend. I didn't catch her name, since she answered his phone and missed part of the GPT. Austin heard the entire Gospel though, and understood that he failed the GPT. After realizing his need for a Savior, I explained God's grace and gave them each a glow stick.
They came back with her mom to take her thru both tests. Her name was Jo Elle.
Pray that the Lord would work in each of those we spoke with and gave tracts to. And pray for more workers in the harvest field.
Solo Deo Gloria
A couple of girls stopped by to take the genius test but didn't want to go through the Good Person Test (GPT).
However, I was able to give them a Trillion Dollar Bill tract as they left.
A large group of people stopped and enjoyed the genius test, but only Robert went through the GPT, he said he was a Christian, but I gave him an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven" tract anyway.
A guy named Austin stopped by with his girlfriend. I didn't catch her name, since she answered his phone and missed part of the GPT. Austin heard the entire Gospel though, and understood that he failed the GPT. After realizing his need for a Savior, I explained God's grace and gave them each a glow stick.
They came back with her mom to take her thru both tests. Her name was Jo Elle.
Pray that the Lord would work in each of those we spoke with and gave tracts to. And pray for more workers in the harvest field.
Solo Deo Gloria
Monday, October 7, 2013
Saturday 9-28 and 10-5
09-28-13
It was a busy night on Mill Ave, with a game going on, lots of tracts were distributed, but not a whole lot of conversations. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get where they were going.
A couple of guys left some food they had from a tailgate party with us to distribute to those in need. They had large trays of chicken, mac and cheese and baked beans.
A guy named Tony stopped by for some food. He wanted me to pray for him, so I did, but he wouldn't take a tract, saying that prayer was enough. He seemed to think that he knew enough about Christianity, I'm just not sure if he was willing to follow.
Selena and Tennille stopped to check out the Illusion board. Tennille went though the Genius Test and Selena did the Good Person Test (GPT). Tennille seemed a bit more convicted, but they both said they'd rather talk about it tomorrow, obviously planning on going forth with whatever sinful plans they had for tonight, unwilling to let go of it.
This is what Jonathan Edwards talked about in his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". They always think that they have a plan to get away with it, to go ahead and enjoy their sin and repent at the last minute, that they might outsmart the Creator of the universe. Everyone in hell thinks the same thing, yet their schemes did not work, and there they are. I pray these two ladies would see that and that God would convict them to turn away from their sins and towards Him for their only hope of salvation.
10-05-13
As I was handing out a few tracts, a strange guy stopped by to look at Dan's illusion board. Dan was busy witnessing to some others who had stopped by, so I talked with him. He started babbling on about seeing different colors of the spectrum that clearly were not on the board, and he never shut up. He was drunk, spewing spittle all over the place and continued to wildly wave his hands in my face. He wasn't really making much sense or listening to anything we had to say, so after I saw one couple look at my board and then walk away, I decided that this guy was just sent as a distraction to keep me from talking to others.
He started rambling on about how he couldn't be a devil or demon, since he could say that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and at His right hand. I'm sure of the exact words, because I noticed two other people stopping at my board. I decided not to let any more people get away while being trapped with a crazy guy, so I told him that I had to go and walked over to my board. He followed me, of course, complaining that I had said he was wrong and wouldn't let him educate me. I explained that I had never said he was wrong, because I couldn't get a word in edge wise. I then ignored him and talked to the two guys who were looking at the illusion board. The crazy guy finally walked away and trapped Dan, who had finished up his previous conversation.
Daniel and Levi went through the Genius test and the GPT. They asked a couple of typical skeptic questions, but we kept on track and finished up the GPT. Although they didn't seem real convicted, they did look like they were considering what I told them, so I gave them the Gospel and handed each of them each an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?" tract and glow stick, before they headed on their way.
Soli Deo Gloria
It was a busy night on Mill Ave, with a game going on, lots of tracts were distributed, but not a whole lot of conversations. Everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get where they were going.
A couple of guys left some food they had from a tailgate party with us to distribute to those in need. They had large trays of chicken, mac and cheese and baked beans.
A guy named Tony stopped by for some food. He wanted me to pray for him, so I did, but he wouldn't take a tract, saying that prayer was enough. He seemed to think that he knew enough about Christianity, I'm just not sure if he was willing to follow.
Selena and Tennille stopped to check out the Illusion board. Tennille went though the Genius Test and Selena did the Good Person Test (GPT). Tennille seemed a bit more convicted, but they both said they'd rather talk about it tomorrow, obviously planning on going forth with whatever sinful plans they had for tonight, unwilling to let go of it.
This is what Jonathan Edwards talked about in his famous sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God". They always think that they have a plan to get away with it, to go ahead and enjoy their sin and repent at the last minute, that they might outsmart the Creator of the universe. Everyone in hell thinks the same thing, yet their schemes did not work, and there they are. I pray these two ladies would see that and that God would convict them to turn away from their sins and towards Him for their only hope of salvation.
10-05-13
As I was handing out a few tracts, a strange guy stopped by to look at Dan's illusion board. Dan was busy witnessing to some others who had stopped by, so I talked with him. He started babbling on about seeing different colors of the spectrum that clearly were not on the board, and he never shut up. He was drunk, spewing spittle all over the place and continued to wildly wave his hands in my face. He wasn't really making much sense or listening to anything we had to say, so after I saw one couple look at my board and then walk away, I decided that this guy was just sent as a distraction to keep me from talking to others.
He started rambling on about how he couldn't be a devil or demon, since he could say that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and at His right hand. I'm sure of the exact words, because I noticed two other people stopping at my board. I decided not to let any more people get away while being trapped with a crazy guy, so I told him that I had to go and walked over to my board. He followed me, of course, complaining that I had said he was wrong and wouldn't let him educate me. I explained that I had never said he was wrong, because I couldn't get a word in edge wise. I then ignored him and talked to the two guys who were looking at the illusion board. The crazy guy finally walked away and trapped Dan, who had finished up his previous conversation.
Daniel and Levi went through the Genius test and the GPT. They asked a couple of typical skeptic questions, but we kept on track and finished up the GPT. Although they didn't seem real convicted, they did look like they were considering what I told them, so I gave them the Gospel and handed each of them each an "Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven?" tract and glow stick, before they headed on their way.
Soli Deo Gloria
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Saturday 9-21-13
We've still been going out to Mill Ave, I just haven't been very good at recording the happenings out there. This week, I brought the illusion board out again (I hadn't brought it the last few times).
An older guy stopped to check it out, and asked what we were doing. I took him through the "genius questions", and he is one of the very few that got them all right. Again, he asked what the point of this was, so I took him through the Good Person Test (GPT).
He only admitted to lying, but claimed he had never stolen, blasphemed or even looked with lust. I didn't really believe him, but let that go. After all, he did just admit to me that he was a liar, so I don't know how much truth he was telling after that.
Anyway, I explained his need for a Savior, since he had admitted to breaking at least one of God's laws, and gave him the Gospel. I'm not sure what he believed, but he seemed to like what we were doing.
The next couple that stopped by, not so much. The guy looked at the illusion board, so I asked him what he thought of it. He angrily said he was offended by it. Offended? Why? He said it was because of "this religious stuff."
I asked what religious stuff he was referring to, as there's really not much religious about the illusion board, it's purpose is more of an ice breaker to get conversation started.
He pointed out the word Moses in the middle of one of the questions. Wow, a bit intolerant there.
He then asked me if I was "anti-gay", to which I replied, "What do you mean by that?" It's not really that simple, as I do not condone any sin, yet I don't hate homosexuals, either.
He said that answered his question, and he and the woman with him promptly turned and walked away.
Tom was talking to a guy who needed a bible, and I happened to have one, so I gave it to him.
A guy who called himself "Z" stopped by and took the GPT. He seemed drunk or high, but listened. He said he didn't believe the Bible, but I explained the Gospel anyway and gave him a glow stick as a demonstration of God's grace, freely given to those of us who really don't deserve it.
I talked with Mike and Carrie, who are homeless and I took them through the GPT. They told me that they had just gotten baptized today. I gave them each a "Gift For You" tract.
Next, I talked with couple of guys name Lindsey and Justin . Both were drunk, and Justin was an atheist. We went through the GPT and they both heard the Gospel before they continued on their way. Even though Justin remained an atheist, they were not offended or angry with our message, even giving me a hug and shaking my hand before they left.
Chris and Jacob also stopped for the illusion and went through the GPT. I gave them each an Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven tract before they continued on their way.
It wasn't all that busy on Mill, but I did talk to a lot of people, praise God!
Soli Deo Gloria
An older guy stopped to check it out, and asked what we were doing. I took him through the "genius questions", and he is one of the very few that got them all right. Again, he asked what the point of this was, so I took him through the Good Person Test (GPT).
He only admitted to lying, but claimed he had never stolen, blasphemed or even looked with lust. I didn't really believe him, but let that go. After all, he did just admit to me that he was a liar, so I don't know how much truth he was telling after that.
Anyway, I explained his need for a Savior, since he had admitted to breaking at least one of God's laws, and gave him the Gospel. I'm not sure what he believed, but he seemed to like what we were doing.
The next couple that stopped by, not so much. The guy looked at the illusion board, so I asked him what he thought of it. He angrily said he was offended by it. Offended? Why? He said it was because of "this religious stuff."
I asked what religious stuff he was referring to, as there's really not much religious about the illusion board, it's purpose is more of an ice breaker to get conversation started.
He pointed out the word Moses in the middle of one of the questions. Wow, a bit intolerant there.
He then asked me if I was "anti-gay", to which I replied, "What do you mean by that?" It's not really that simple, as I do not condone any sin, yet I don't hate homosexuals, either.
He said that answered his question, and he and the woman with him promptly turned and walked away.
Tom was talking to a guy who needed a bible, and I happened to have one, so I gave it to him.
A guy who called himself "Z" stopped by and took the GPT. He seemed drunk or high, but listened. He said he didn't believe the Bible, but I explained the Gospel anyway and gave him a glow stick as a demonstration of God's grace, freely given to those of us who really don't deserve it.
I talked with Mike and Carrie, who are homeless and I took them through the GPT. They told me that they had just gotten baptized today. I gave them each a "Gift For You" tract.
Next, I talked with couple of guys name Lindsey and Justin . Both were drunk, and Justin was an atheist. We went through the GPT and they both heard the Gospel before they continued on their way. Even though Justin remained an atheist, they were not offended or angry with our message, even giving me a hug and shaking my hand before they left.
Chris and Jacob also stopped for the illusion and went through the GPT. I gave them each an Are You Good Enough To Get Into Heaven tract before they continued on their way.
It wasn't all that busy on Mill, but I did talk to a lot of people, praise God!
Soli Deo Gloria
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Agenda
In an article about a law in PA banning same sex marriage, then facing a court challenge, I found the comments to be quite interesting, and telling of the mindset in America today.
Some of the comments are captured below:
"Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see."
Then, of course, we get the OT Laws, ripped out of context, in an attempt to make the claim that Christians just pick and choose what they like from the Bible.
Again, it takes an extra click to see the Biblical response.
That's right, this guy claims that God 'told' him something contrary to His written word, and thinks that condoning a sinful lifestyle is somehow 'loving.'
Again, there was at least one person there giving a Biblical worldview, which was quite unpopular.
Then you get the unbelievers, calling them names and telling them that they're a "bad Christian" - as if an unbeliever had any idea what Christianity is all about!
Followed by more accusations of being 'judgmental.' But wait, isn't it a bit judgmental to be judging someone as judgmental?
Next, an actual quote from the Bible, Romans 2:1 (NIV), well, most of it, but without reference, last someone actually look it up in context.
There's not supposed to be a period there, it's cut off in mid verse and mid sentence. The rest of it goes, "because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think we're on to something there in that piece that was left out. I'll come back to that.
Another poster claimed:
So, do we see the problem here? Do we see how just a few can cause such a stir, changing the way our entire culture thinks in just a few years? And they try to tell me there is no "gay agenda."
They bully those who disagree with them, play upon emotion with, "how does it affect you?" and most of society just finds it easier to go along with.
Those who refuse are made an example out of, in order to dissuade others from voicing any sort of opposition.
Oh, and remember that piece of the verse I said I would get back to? The last part of Romans 2:1, that was left off when it was quoted: "...because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think this is the main key to it all. Even though the sins might not be the same, we all have them, and even the Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season.
People don't want to give up their pet sins, and they don't want them exposed, so they're willing to overlook them in others. And that is what puts our nation in a downward spiral that is going to be hard to correct.
Look at the sin around us right now, see how far we've fallen in just a few short decades. We have become lukewarm and apathetic to the difference between what the Bible teaches and the way we live our lives.
Anyone still holding to a Biblical worldview is mocked and ridiculed without mercy, but there are a few, a remnant that God has reserved for Himself, that will not bow, that will not compromise and will not give in.
The gate is small and the path is narrow, that leads to eternal life, and there are few that find it (Matt 7:14)
Soli Deo Gloria
Some of the comments are captured below:
"If this country was founded on biblical teachings then the church would not allow priests to molest alter boys that were there to serve the church, that is SINFUL."Now, those who opposed these kind of ideas for a more Biblical worldview were quickly given negative marks by other posters. This would result in this message, and having to click another link just to see the post.
"Also the bible does say Jesus loves everyone regardless of race or sex."
"There is nothing sinful with loving someone regardless of what sex they are and if they choice to get married they should have the same rights as everyone else."
"The sanctity of marriage is two people in love and choice to be married, isn’t that what marriage is, who cares what sex they are, love is no different for a straight couple then for a gay couple."
"Hidden due to low comment rating. Click here to see."
"Sin abounds and the Catholic church is just one of many examples."
"Please don’t try to justify the deviant lifestyle of the homosexual as something that is approved of by our Maker. It just isn’t supported in His word"
Then, of course, we get the OT Laws, ripped out of context, in an attempt to make the claim that Christians just pick and choose what they like from the Bible.
"So is eating shellfish, tattoos, and mixing different fabrics. Man, thank GOD this country isn’t ruled by any religion’s law."
"Ever notice how many Commandments are broken by Constitutional Amendments – heck, The Bill of Rights alone, the First Amendment alone?"
Again, it takes an extra click to see the Biblical response.
"you don’t read enough of the bible to comment on it. You go back to the old testament and drag up the law of Moses, which was a divine law, but when Jesus fulfilled the law the fabric mixing, shellfish, tattoo etc. laws no longer had to be kept."Quite nicely called out on that, if you ask me. So, what do you think comes next? There's nothing new under the sun, of course the old "judging" card gets played at this point.
"You scoff and use those things seemingly to prove points, but your shallow understanding of those laws is evident. You don’t care enough to search out, and you don’t care what your Creator thinks so you should quit “quoting” what you think is in the bible."
"And you judge me without knowing me. I attend church regularly, have read the Bible multiple times (and continue to read it), was raised Catholic and attended Catholic school from 8th grade through high school graduation, did the CCD thing when attending public school, have been Baptised, Confirmed, and believe myself to be a spiritual person."Well, we see part of the problem, the Catholic church is apostate and has not been following the Bible for quite some time, but that's a whole separate topic. But this guy isn't even holding to what Catholicism teaches.
"God has told me through much meditation and prayer that discriminating against gays is not His way and Jesus taught all of us in scripture to love everyone, even your enemies. Look at those Jesus surrounded Himself with. You really think Jesus would stand against gay people?"
That's right, this guy claims that God 'told' him something contrary to His written word, and thinks that condoning a sinful lifestyle is somehow 'loving.'
Again, there was at least one person there giving a Biblical worldview, which was quite unpopular.
"you received a direct revelation from God telling you that you should accept the homosexual lifestyle and support it?"
"Strange that He would change His written word to advise you of that."
"Yes, I do think Jesus will stand against gay people. He stood strongly against the scribes and pharisees and called them hypocrites. When he forgave someone it was because they repented!"
Then you get the unbelievers, calling them names and telling them that they're a "bad Christian" - as if an unbeliever had any idea what Christianity is all about!
"Nowhere does “the Word” support your attitude of hate, intolerance, and disdain."
"Jesus would be ashamed of you calling yourself a Christian."
Followed by more accusations of being 'judgmental.' But wait, isn't it a bit judgmental to be judging someone as judgmental?
Next, an actual quote from the Bible, Romans 2:1 (NIV), well, most of it, but without reference, last someone actually look it up in context.
"You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself."
There's not supposed to be a period there, it's cut off in mid verse and mid sentence. The rest of it goes, "because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think we're on to something there in that piece that was left out. I'll come back to that.
Another poster claimed:
"There are many types of evil in the world and I cannot believe that love is one of them. If two people love each other and want to commit their lives to being together, they should. It doesn’t make my het marriage any less legal or loving just because a same sex couple marries."
"I was raised Catholic, went to Catholic elementary and high school, was baptised and confirmed. The Bible teaches you to LOVE your fellow man, not HATE."
"It doesn't matter what religion you are love is the same if you are gay or straight, you don't love any less if you are gay."
"Really come on now this is 2013, two gay people falling in love or getting married doesn't effect your life either way, gay people are just that GAY"
"….so let them live their lives the way they want to and let them have the same rights everyone else does because they are NO different then any one else!"
So, do we see the problem here? Do we see how just a few can cause such a stir, changing the way our entire culture thinks in just a few years? And they try to tell me there is no "gay agenda."
They bully those who disagree with them, play upon emotion with, "how does it affect you?" and most of society just finds it easier to go along with.
Those who refuse are made an example out of, in order to dissuade others from voicing any sort of opposition.
Oh, and remember that piece of the verse I said I would get back to? The last part of Romans 2:1, that was left off when it was quoted: "...because you who pass judgment do the same things."
I think this is the main key to it all. Even though the sins might not be the same, we all have them, and even the Bible tells us that sin is pleasurable for a season.
People don't want to give up their pet sins, and they don't want them exposed, so they're willing to overlook them in others. And that is what puts our nation in a downward spiral that is going to be hard to correct.
Look at the sin around us right now, see how far we've fallen in just a few short decades. We have become lukewarm and apathetic to the difference between what the Bible teaches and the way we live our lives.
Anyone still holding to a Biblical worldview is mocked and ridiculed without mercy, but there are a few, a remnant that God has reserved for Himself, that will not bow, that will not compromise and will not give in.
The gate is small and the path is narrow, that leads to eternal life, and there are few that find it (Matt 7:14)
Soli Deo Gloria
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