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"EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO HIS OWN
VIEW ?'
It's been stated so many times one would think it's declared in the Holy
Scriptures. We not only prize this freedom; we revel in it. Take for
example the many ideas expressed in regard to religion:
-"I think Christians should be more tolerant. I don't think everybody has to
believe in Christ to
be O.K. with God."
-"I think homosexuals and women should be 'ordained' to the ministry like anyone
else."
-"I think it's ridiculous that some churches make such a big deal of baptism.
What's that got
to do with what kind of
person I am?"
-"I think I know what God wants me to do without having to look it up in the
Bible."
-"I think all truth is relative. What's true for you doesn't necessarily mean
it's true for me, You
have your truth; I have mine." .
-"I think churches of Christ should catch up with the times and use instrumental
music in w
worship."
There is a hitch, however. Listen to Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with
all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight, in all your ways
acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."
There's a world of difference between "I think" religion, and the revealed will
of God. We desperately need to hear once again: "Do not rely on your own insight
... do not rely on your own insight ... do not rely on your own insight!"
Those words should be a mandatory warning label printed on every bottle of
"home-brew" religion. The 'white lightning' we are concocting is going to kill
us.
BULLETIN DIGEST
John Gipson via Little Rock,
Arkansas
Individual Responsibility
I really believe in the idea of individual responsibility. Everyone should be responsible for his or her actions for good or for bad. And I strongly believe in this premise regardless of a person's social rank, money or influence. Laws are written to regulate our lives and to aid us in living in concert with others. Violation of these laws in disregard for our individual responsibility should bring punishment upon the lawbreaker. Solomon, writing in the Book of
Proverbs said: "... but the way of transgressors is
hard"
(Proverbs 13:15b). And well it should be! Television celebrity Martha Stewart was reminded of this truth this week when a federal judge refused to set aside her five-month house
arrest sentence. Stewart was convicted last year
of lying to the government about a stock sale after which she served five months in prison and this spring began the five-month house arrest which was part of the original sentence. In
asking for re-sentencing, Stewart asked for a reduction of the sentence in order
to participate in two television series-a daytime talk show and a new rendition of a major network program. She also asked for permission to be away from her home for 80 hours per week rather than the 48 she is allowed under her sentence. Part of the blight affecting our country's judicial system is the lessening of sentences for convicted
criminals. It parlays into a disregard for law and adds to the popular idea that one doesn't have to be responsible for his actions. But listen to the Apostle Paul:
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers... the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist
shall receive to themselves damnation wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for
conscience sake".
(Romans 13:1-2; 5). We must accept the responsibility of living within the bounds of the law or pay the penalty for not doing so.
by Hoyt Nelson
Just suppose
That.....
ust suppose
that when you were growing up you were hated by your brothers, sold into
slavery; lied about, and cast into prison. Suppose you had to languish in that
cell for months on end. Would you still have faith in God? Joseph did!
Just suppose that you were called by God to preach a very unpopular message...
God's wrath. Suppose the people got up in arms and vented their anger at you.
What if they lied about you and tried to take away your life? Would you still
have faith in God? Jeremiah did!
Just suppose you were called upon to stand before a king and rebuke him for his
sin. And suppose that in obedience to the will of God you performed your task
only to learn that your head would be chopped off. Would you still have faith in
God? John did!
Just suppose that you lived a perfect life, loved all men, always did God's
will, sought to serve instead of being served, and then you were nailed to a
cross to die. Would you still have faith in God? Jesus did!
THOUGHT: Just suppose the church isn't friendly, the people don't appreciate
you, that nobody visits you, that you lose your health, and you .go bankrupt.
Would you still have faith in God. . . .. ?
By John Gipson
Via Glad Tidings of Good Things
A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE DEVIL’S PROPAGANDA
Recently, “contemporary Christian” singer, Ray Boltz, shocked his religious
fans by publicly admitting he’s living a “homosexual lifestyle.” The
saddest part of the whole situation, as far as I am concerned, is seeing how
successful the devil has been at promoting his lies. Here are just a few
from
the short article that I read.
LIE #1) God made homosexuals. Boltz is quoted as saying,
"If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live.”
For years the
Devil has pushed the idea that people are born “gay.” If homosexuality is
genetic programming, rather than the result of bad situations and bad choices,
God would seem most unfair to condemn anyone for being what He has made them.
What the media are in no hurry to reveal is that, in March of 2007, “the
director of the Human Genome Project, Dr. Francis Collins, said this:is not
hardwired.is no gay gene.mapped the human genome.now know there is no genetic
cause for homosexuality."
LIE #2) God does NOT condemn homo-sexuality. Boltz
went on to say, “I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself."
Many religious
teachers are trying to cover up God’s statements that label the “lifestyle” an
abomination. They say that the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was really
“inhospitality.” It wasn’t the fact that the men wanted to “know” the
visiting angels. It was that they wanted to do so in a non-consensual
manner. [If they
are right, Jude, the Lord’s brother, was confused as to why God destroyed these
cities. (Cf. Jude 7)] And, according to these misguided preachers,
the only
sin condemned in Romans 1:26-27 and other New Testament passages is, again, that
which does not take place between consenting adults. But you won’t find
anything to suggest such in the words of that passage: “men, leaving the natural
use of the woman… men with men committing what is shameful…”
LIE #3) Christianity should be tolerant of this “lifestyle.”
The Gospel Music Association made this statement, after Boltz’s announcement,
"We do
not comment on the lifestyle choices of people in our community." How
tolerant. How sad! Jesus was as loving an individual as you could
possibly find. In
fact, John wrote that it was by his example that we know love. (I John
3:16). Still, He told the adulteress, “Go, and sin no more.” He
called some of the
most religious people of His day “hypocrites.” What is wrong with
confronting Boltz and his sin in truth and love?
LIE #4) Divorce is more acceptable to God. The article
stated that
Boltz was the “father of four who was married for 33 years before officially
divorcing his wife this year…” Why was there no reaction, among his fans,
when
the divorce took place? “For the LORD God of Israel says that He hates
divorce.” (Mal. 2:16) And Jesus said, “What God has joined together, let
not
man separate.” (Matt. 19:6) Why didn’t anyone seek a statement from
the Gospel Music Association when Boltz left his wife? The Devil has
been very successful at renaming “sin” as simply a “lifestyle.” There is
only one “lifestyle” in which one can have an abundant life, a love that is
real, and, in the end, eternal life. It is the lifestyle prescribed by
Christ and His apostles in the Holy Scriptures.
—Stephen Seibert
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