The Value of Definition (Prop 8.1)

This whole idea, and argument, of "marriage" and "equal rights" comes down to "definition". The real question is.... are we drilling down far enough in our questioning? Or, are motives simply to get what a group wants? That is not "necessarily" a bad thing, but can be a dangerous, slippery slope. Who "defines" the idea or concept of marriage, and where did we get this idea or concept from? Is the concept biblical / of God? Or, did man originate it? Simply, a guy / gal can say... "I want my dog to be my life mate." Nothing can prevent that freedom. I can have my dog as my life partner and no one could argue otherwise. However, to ask to legally wed that dog (don't read into "dog". I could've used "cat".) would mean to RE-DEFINE the original idea. Although, from a Christian standpoint, I do not / cannot support homosexuality ...that is nearly a completely separate topic from what is under debate in California as we speak, I CAN, without any contradiction, support two peoples' freedom and decision for that lifestyle. Why? Because there is nothing "constitutionally" against it. They are free, under man's law, in that decision. But, to take that freely decisive union and request a constitutionally legal "marriage" (again, who / what originally defined "marriage") is explicitly asking to re-define an original definition ...is it not? It's like me wanting to change my citizenship to legally state that I am a citizen of the nation of "Bob". Well, that is simply inaccurate, and simply defies what is constitutionally and legally accurate / true about my own citizenship; regardless of what I "say". I can walk around all day long and say.... "I am a citizen of the United States of Bob." No one can "prevent" me from saying so. They can only disagree. But if I wish to utilize the "benefits" of being a citizen of the United States of America .....why would I be intent on saying I am a citizen of the United States of Bob? It simply defies logic. Furthermore, why would I even "want" to reap benefits of an idea / ideal which I fundamentally oppose? By saying I am of "Bob", would I not be disagreeing with the idea of being American? So, the only available alternatives are (1)to accept the idea / law as it was originally intended by the author(s) or (2)request that very idea / law be "changed". THAT (option 2) is where we walk on a very, very slippery slope! If we choose to change / re-define .....where does that end? We've effectively pulled the rug from under ourselves. Original definition no longer has any value. Moreover ....do "we" have the liberty to presume to change what is already defined?

Agreeing With God

Somewhere between the time Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey's back and His crucifixion, within a week.....

the people went from crying "Hossanah" ...to "hang Him"!
From shouting "Messiah"...to "murder Him".
From hailing Him as Christ the King ....to "crucify Him"!

Man agrees with God as Deliverer, as Savior, but as Sovereign Lord ....we demand control back.

Not Better, Just Better Off

We live in a world so concerned with hurting people's temporal feelings that we're effectively unconcerned with their eternal feelings. Now, don't mistake that for liberty to be a smart-mouthed, know-it-all. The world needs to purge itself of that too. But it is entirely possible to say what ya' mean, and mean what ya' say, all without purposefully trampling over someone else's emotions. Especially true if you are a Christ-follower, carrying the precious cargo of Jesus' gospel.

A simple, work-a-day example of this.... I spoke to a Jehovah's Witness yesterday. I wasn't rude. No need to be. It was a very, very polite lady and presumably her daughter. But I had to tell her I didn't believe her doctrine. The problem was that whether the opportunity just wasn't there, or I didn't make one, I didn't get to tell her what the truth of Jesus' teaching and life really is. That frustrates me. Always in a hurry.

Along those lines of thinking... let me ask you something, Christian. Is your goal to be "right", to show what you know? Or is your goal to warn folks of God's wrath toward sin and the good, wonderful, amazing news of the gospel truth?

Let me ask you something, un-believer. Is your goal to be "right", to demonstrate that you're smarter than any hokie religion? O would you be willing to demonstrate that you're wrong in order to do the right thing? Do you really believe you can escape God's wrath by avoiding the problem [sin]? Or do you believe a half-gospel that says God is all about love (as our definition might fit at any given moment), and would never allow His people to go to Hell?

It's time for some straight-talk. We can lick our self-received wounds later, and apologize if we "do" inadvertently hurt feelings. God as my witness..... I won't do it on purpose. But I love you [people] too much to find myself tip-toeing through the topics [too much bible interpreting and fitting].

What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one; (Romans 3:9-10)

For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)

BIG QUESTION: Is God "justified" in "judging the world" (v6), or "inflicting His wrath" (v5)?

BIGGER QUESTION: Are you willing to dillute the truth of God's word to make Him out to be a mean God ....so that you can feel better about going to Hell? Or willl you fool yourself into thinking you're just "ok"?

All have sinned

verses 9 express that Christ-followers, no more than those who inherited God's favor, are any better off than anyone else ....unless they recognize that we have all sinned, and are all sinners.

If just doing the right thing were the answer, let me ask you.... how is that really going for you? Do you do the right thing(s)? All the time? How frequent? Do you ever do the wrong thing(s)? How frequent? What covers you're tail then? What justifies that? Does anything?

ALL have sinned! NONE are righteous.

All have been warned

verse 10 warns that none of us have any special favor with God. Romans 2:11 says.... "For God shows no partiality."

verse 20 clarifies that there is nothing we could or would do, anyway, which would justify us before God.

verse 23 says it clearly... "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,"

You would put me in a bag and throw me in the ocean if I did not warn you of, for example, a coming tornado. We spent millions on technology to provide an "early warning system". Our favorite television shows are frequently interrupted so that we can know those systems work. But start "warning" folks about eternity, and now we're stepping on toes.

All are justified by God's grace, through faith in Jesus Christ,

and it is a gift to you and I, which cost Jesus a great deal. How is that mean? How is that offensive? How is that anything but loving? How about we just leave everyone alone, and if they rot in Hell, well.... at least we didn't get in their business. I'm not judging your business. I have my own to deal with. And God, Himself, will judge that. I just want you to know this simple oft repeated, truth. I am a sinner. You are a sinner. All have sinned. We do not really seek to please God. Listen to what Paul quotes from Psalms 5:9 and 10:7.

as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;  no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." "Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive." "The venom of asps is under their lips." "Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness." "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known." "There is no fear of God before their eyes."