| |
Current Bible Study
Subject: Faith: Truth vs. Perception
It's amazing to think that in the year of 2005, with all
the education and information available to us, there are people
who still doubt their salvation. There are people who wonder
if they are or aren't saved because of their sexuality. It's
almost unfathomable that in a day where faith is being preached
ad nauseum for "things" people still don't believe
or have faith that they are safe in the arms of the Creator.
But with all the bashing and preaching of hate going on in
the churches today and over the media it's no wonder.
One friend of mine asked "when are we gonna get past
this "can I really be saved and gay thing? I mean, isn't
it time?" And that's a valid question when there is so
much to do and so much further to travel along this journey
for social justice. It's like we can't go forward because
we are still stuck on this point. This reality leads me to
wonder…When will we get over this? And how will we get
past it? There is teaching that has been going forth for years
on this issue. Books have been written, documentaries made,
sermons preached, songs sung, and the list goes on and on.
What is necessary to get people to move forward? Will be able
to go toward the necessary healing and empowerment to stop
spiritual violence?
The first thing people need to understand is, what the Bible
says is true as it relates to faith and salvation. Romans
10.9 tells us "For if you confess with your mouth that
Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved." That formula for salvation
is sure and applicable to all people. This spiritual truth
being taken in context with the scripture in Ephesians 2.8,
if you don't have faith, no matter what you confess, you can't
even be saved. The Bible puts it this way, "For by grace
are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it
is the gift of God". So the formula for salvation has
been given, and it must be believed To drive the point home
even further, Hebrews 11.6 says "And without faith it
is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him
must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him. The writer urges us in his teaching that
it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith. There is no
way to please God if you don't have faith. So I guess for
the SGL Christian, the question isn't can I be saved and gay,
but rather do you believe that you can be saved and gay? And
based on that answer, which must come from within, we can
go from there.
If faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God
it is necessary for one to discern whether what they are hearing
is indeed the word of God. What does the Bible say about those
who have relationship with God? It says NOTHING can separate
them from the love of God. Nothing means "NOT A THING".
Not sexuality. Not a preacher. Not a book. Not a Bible verse.
NOTHING can separate you from the love of God. And if that's
the case, why not believe it in spite of what people think,
believe or say about your relationship with God. The Bible
says it like this in Romans 8.38-39, "And I am convinced
that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't,
and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our
fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the
powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are
high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all
creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of
God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I tell people who try to speak into my relationship with
God that they are committing spiritual adultery. They are
trying to get into a marriage that has nothing to do with
them. My love affair with God is one that is personal and
off limits to EVERYONE except me and God. And if God lets
me know that He loves me and nobody or nothing can separate
me from His love…I BELIEVE IT without question.
Another thing that has to be explored is the difference in
"perception" and "truth". The best way
I can describe this is by talking about the universe. There
was once a time that people believed the earth was the center
of the universe. And because of their perception, they came
up with the theory that the sun rises in the east and sets
in the west. Again, because of their perception, this was
accepted as the truth. But is it "the truth"? NO!
Science has taught us through sending satellites with cameras
into space that the sun is the center of the universe and
the earth is revolving around it, tilted on its axis. See
the difference in truth and perception?
Don't let anyone's "perception" of you and your
relationship with God make you question the truth. The truth
of the matter is you are God's child. You were created in
God's wonderful image and likeness. God loves you with an
unconditional love. He created you and knew who you are and
would become before you were in your mother's womb. And when
it comes to God's love for you, NOTHING can separate you from
it. Remember, faith is the key to pleasing God. Faith is the
key to being saved. Determine for yourself, are you gonna
believe "the truth" as God reveals it to you in
your life, or somebody else's "perception" of it? |
|
