Sunday, June 28, 2015

Judgment

Judgment
June 29, 2015
John 9:39  "Then Jesus told him, 'I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.'"

In light of the recent events in the United States regarding same sex marriage, it is pertinent and timely to discuss.  First and foremost, the more condemnation Christians bring regarding the topic, the more difficult it is to present a valid Christ-like argument against same sex marriage.  The topic of same sex marriage is as an emotional topic as abortion.  Any devout Christian should eventually come to the same conclusion regarding same sex marriage as abortion, that it is a sin in the eyes of the Lord.  There is no valid interpretation of the Bible to present any other argument.  If someone would like to suggest that Jesus  supports same sex marriage than he does not know Jesus or the Word of the Lord.

However, when Christians speak against same sex marriage as an abomination, they are presenting it in such a way as to close people's minds.  Jesus did not come to offend everyone so they close their minds, but to open them.  Jesus said he came to bring judgment on the actions of the world, to open the eyes of the blind and to show others where and why they are blind despite thinking they can see.  In essence, He came to judge with illumination.  Christians today wish to judge without presenting illumination.  We like to offend people so they close their minds to our argument.  They only way to not do this, unless you are actually Jesus, is to start being FOR something instead of being AGAINST something.  This is not a suggestion to be tolerant of sin but tolerant of the individual because he or she is blind.

The world is going to act like the world; a sinner is going to sin.  A blind man is going to stumble.  There is no need to be angry when a sinner sins, just like there is no need to be angry when a blind man stumbles.  Your job as a Christian is to illuminate the way for the blind man.  This is a call to action and should unite Christians in the effort to bring true Christianity to the world, but getting angry at them because of what they are doing only suggests they actually know what they are doing.  They are blind and do not see.  Jesus showed the truth, and by nature of the truth it brought judgment to people's actions.  But bringing judgment against people's actions without bringing the truth only makes a Christian look like a fool and does not win a brother or sister to Christ.

If there could be anything good about this situation, let it be the moment to realize there is a huge difference between the world and Christians.  This line only has and should become more apparent.  We are to be in the world but not of the world.  If you are shocked by the recent events it might be that you thought the world cared about the similar beliefs of a Christian, that they upheld your same belief system.  The world does not care about anything but the world, and the Lord decided this could be a choice.  The Lord allows us all the freedom to choose.  We can freely choose Him and His ways or way can freely choose our own path.  The world is choosing their own path.  This should not shock, nor make you angry.  Be appalled at the sin, but do not be appalled by the situation.

Thankfully, the United States is a free country.  This affords the freedom to serve the Lord in the manner He desires.  This also affords the freedom for others the opportunity to do as they wish.  It is not physically possible to legalize the Biblical view of morality.  We saw the success of this with the prohibition of alcohol over 100 years ago.  People must have the freedom to chose.  In other countries we are not shocked or angry when the cultural religious system is to worship a foreign god in a Hindu temple.  This is effectually the same disappointment in the eyes of the Lord.  We don't get offended when others want to worship their own god in a Muslim mosque, something they can and do on a regular basis in America.

If you illuminate the path for the blind man, and he doesn't stumble, he will thank you for it.  Please remember what Paul said in Romans 14:13, "Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister."

Don't take my word for it; look it up:  Josh 24:15, Dan 12:3, John 15:19, James 5:19-20

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