How to defend Biblical Marriage--by Jim Denison

Two ways we can respond to Supreme Court rulings Dr. Jim Denison June 29, 2015

Last week we witnessed two monumental Supreme Court decisions.  On Thursday, the court effectively removed the last legal obstacle to ObamaCare.  On Friday, the court essentially legalized same-sex marriage in the United States. Left open in the Friday ruling are major religious liberty questions.  Let's assume for the moment that pastors and churches are not forced to conduct gay weddings, something they are required to do in many countries which have legalized such marriages.  But we don't yet know the implications for church and religious organizations with regard to spousal benefits, employment, and non-profit status.  It's conceivable that my statements upholding biblical marriage could be construed as "hate speech."  We just don't know the larger implications of this decision. Here's what Christians do know. First, we are called to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).  If the survivors of the Charleston tragedy could forgive the alleged murderer and testify to the grace of Jesus, can't all Christians follow their example?  Our witness is never so strong as when it is tested.  Suffering reveals the reality of our faith to a watching world. These days present a historic opportunity for American Christians to show our culture and the world that we are people of character and grace.  Our witness on this issue is especially significant with younger adults.  Seventy percent of non-Christians ages 16 to 29 say Christians are "insensitive to others."  Let's show the LGBT community and the rest of our culture what we're for, not just what we're against.  Let's show our world that we can disagree without demeaning, that we can be biblical without being bombastic, that we can care for people without endorsing behavior that hurts them and others.  "I love you" and "I accept everything you do" are not synonymous. Second, we are called to speak unchanging truth to a changing world.  For decades, our culture has defined truth as opinion.  The court's ruling on same-sex marriage is the latest example of moral relativism.  If there is no objective definition of marriage, the justices did not "redefine" it—they merely conformed law to popular opinion.  But human nature does not change.  God's word is just as relevant as when it was first revealed. God wants to redeem our cultural darkness with a clear and compelling display of the abundant life only he can provide.  As babies are given gender neutral names and dressed in gender neutral clothes until they decide whether to be male or female, we'll witness the destruction that results as the world goes deeper into deception.  As more and more couples choose same-sex marriage, we'll see the damaging results for themselves, their children and families, and our society. But like the father who welcomed his prodigal son home, our Father welcomes all who return to his truth and love. We have all wandered greatly but have been invited back graciously. Let's join him. Tweet this article If you received this from a friend, you can subscribe here.

The Cross

What does the Cross mean to you? For some, it represents a horrendous and brutal death that one Jesus of Nazareth suffered a couple of thousand of years ago because Jewish leaders believed their positions of power were threatened. These leaders forced the hand of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judaea to crucify Jesus. To others, while this explanation is true, there is even a far deeper and more astounding reason. Jesus was actually paying the sin debt of humanity to God the Father, who requires a perfect blood sacrifice for sin. And for those who believe this is true, and believe that God the Father accepted Jesus' atonement for sin, see the Cross as a symbol of eternal salvation: that Jesus died once and for all. The New Living Translation states (1 Peter 3-18)  "Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit." A parallel to this is found in the Book of Hebrews, 9:28. The English Standard Version writes: "so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him." I urge all to consider the love of God in his reaching out to all of us. While using the term "sin" is not fashionable, and tolerance for all types of behavior is accepted, we need to rethink the absolute commands of God. God's ways are NOT our ways. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

Confess and turn from your sins. Turn to the living God. If you accept Jesus in what he did for you personally on the Cross, you will have hope, peace, and eternal salvation.

Dealing with Disappointment in God

We have all prayed to God for specific requests: Healing of ourselves or loved one, desperately praying to find a job, hopefully mending a relationship, and even praying for our lives or the lives of others in death or life situations.

When our prayers aren't answered, we think is God not hearing me? Doesn't he care? Why doesn't he send me a sign or message? We become depressed,disappointed, and even angry with God.

I've been thinking about this. I recently had a challenging few weeks of major disappointments. In fact, I was for the first time, actually angry with God.

The truth to the matter is that while I can be complaining about an unresponsive God, I do know that  God does not hide from me, that he is fair, and he does communicate with me. I can say I’m disappointed because I’m not getting what I want, but he does clarify his position.  I am convinced that while we pray fervently for our requests, he answers us in variety of real ways short of speaking to us directly. One way is through Christian friends, sermons, Christian newsletters, or a Bible study.  Sometimes we need to accept his answer is simply 'no'.

As I was complaining to a friend, she remembered a book she had and gave me 'Disappointment with God' by Philip Yancey.  How extraordinary was that? This was a perfect example of God working through a friend to communicate with me through an author I was unfamiliar with.  The book gave me a new perspective in relating to God and his responses to me. I can give you numerous other examples when I’m inwardly whining, and then one of my Christian friends, a sermon, a book, or  an email, clarifies my turmoil as God speaks directly to me through someone’s words. 

So, yes I have had my disappointments and seemingly non-answers. And while I think my challenges are important at the time, I need to keep other’s lives in perspective too.  I confess this sin of pride and selfishness, because when we look back in time, we see how our brothers and sisters waited in faith. Sometimes they saw the end result, other times they didn't.  But the one thing we have that we can hang our hat on is the peace of  Jesus--even if we don't get an answer. 

Philippians 4:6-7  do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The Lord works in so many ways, but we have to be aware of his work and pay attention to his Word. I encourage everyone to read and study the Bible. For newcomers, start in the New Testament with the first book of Matthew, and follow through to the last book, Revelation. I then encourage you to read the Old Testament.The two testaments are dependent upon each other and will give you greater depth in understanding God's Word.

 There are many versions of the Bible that include essentially literal and dynamic equivalent translations. If you are interested in the essentially literal translation, the New King James Version, (NKJV) gives us the Greek words in English but in readable English order. The literal versions try to align translations in English from the Hebrew and Greek translations. For conveying the overall meaning of a passage, the dynamic equivalent is used. When I started to study the Bible, I used the New Living Translation (NLT) study Bible because it was a readable form of contemporary English. Later, I got a couple of essentially literal translations. One was the Holman Christian Standard Version (HCSV) and the other, which I mostly use, is the English Standard Version (ESV). Either way, I suggest that you get a study Bible because if you are unclear about the meaning, the footnotes will help greatly.

Here is an example of literal vs. dynamic equivalent

Proverbs:3:1-2
NKJV

My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.

NLT:

My child,[a] never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
2 If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.

God's Valentine, from Ginger

“God’s Valentine”

During winter I miss seeing God’s “love messages” along my daily walks.

It is too early to see the heart-shaped red bud and grape leaves, as well as the bleeding heart blossoms. But photos from past seasons revive my spirit in winter. It is also a good season to stay warm indoors reading God’s Word, wrapped in His love

. 

 John the Beloved wrote, God is love. These three short words were so important that he repeated them a few lines later. Then John followed them with…We love, because He first loved us (1 John 4:8,16,19). He wanted everyone to know true love comes from God and is all about Him.

We often can feel the warm light of God's love that surpasses human understanding - but sometimes, "stuff happens" that casts a shadow.

 Recently I had a disturbing dream where I was caught in a judgmental meeting and couldn’t escape. Long before dawn, I woke in distress, not only from the dream but also recent circumstances. Arising and going to my prayer journal, I poured my frustrated feelings onto page after page. I knew how I should feel – blessed with all my needs supplied by God – but I also confessed I did not feel peace and comfort. I opened my Bible to a passage that included: our God is near us whenever we pray to Him (Deuteronomy 4:7). Tears clouded my vision. As I grabbed a tissue, I glanced out the window.

In the dark sky above the trees, I saw a sliver of the moon. Wiping my eyes, I focused on it. I could not see the whole moon, but I knew it was there.

Looking back at my desk, I opened Jesus Calling. “Stay in continual communication with Me, so that you can live above your circumstances. …Present your requests to Me with thanksgiving, and My Peace, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your heart and mind.” Without condemning me, the reassuring words confirmed I was on the right path.

When daylight finally came, I still could only see a sliver of the moon. Suddenly a thought flashed through my mind. It was not my fault that I couldn't see the full moon. Earth was keeping me from it. I just had to be patient.

Turning again to my desk, I read another passage. Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow (James 1:17). Dr. David Jeremiah had written, “We thank Him for the sunrise, for the air we breathe and the friends we love, for the verses we study and the strength we derive from Him. We learn to count our blessings, minimize our complaints, rejoice in the Lord, and obey the words of Jesus: Be of good cheer.”

In the dark, I had risen from my bed in distress. Now in His light, I arose from my chair with joy. God hears our prayers, speaks to our hearts, and responds to our needs because He loves us. With Him, there is no better way to start the day, even when we can only see a sliver—at the moment.

…faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

We Believe

Christians believe in God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit in One God:

•  Psalm 19:1-- The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands

• 1 Timothy 2:5 5-- For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 

•  Acts 2:38 38-- Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."  

Christians believe the Bible is the true word of God:

• 2 Timothy 3:16 16-- All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

• 2 Peter 1:19-21--19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. 20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

We believe that God sent his Son, Jesus to pay our sin debt:

• Galatians 2:20--20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
• Colossians 2: 13--13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[a] alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.

Merry Blessed Christmas!

Luke 2:10-11 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord." Our Lord Jesus Christ was born to ransom us from our sins. In his journey toward that end, he taught us about love, compassion, and empathy--but most importantly, about love. He died for our sins so we might live. John 10:11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 1 John 3:16 "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." From this Christmas season forward, let us confess our sins to God, repent, and grow in faith in the work of what our Lord, Jesus Christ did for us on the cross and let us make the special effort for kindness and compassion for all: Matthew 22:36-40 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Merry Christmas!