The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and
majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians
11:27-31,
"So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an
unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood
of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of
the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without
discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves.
That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have
fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to
ourselves, we would not come under such judgment."
Back in these days, the days of Paul, what we today celebrate as
"communion", "the Lord's supper", etc. is nothing like the practice
then. Back then, the church got together and actually ate a meal
together, the "love feast". This is the context within which Paul
excoriated the church in Corinth.
It was being abused by the church in Corinth as different factions or
groups would eat apart from the rest of the fellowship. Rather than
wait for others, they would go ahead with their dinner without them.
Paul viewed this as harmful, "I have no praise for you, for your
meetings do more harm than good." Verse 17. The church was already
suffering from divisions that Paul spoke of at the beginning of this
letter where we learn that members claimed to be following their own
special leaders, "My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe's household
have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is
this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos';
another, 'I follow Cephas [Peter]; still another, 'I follow Christ.'"
1 Corinthians 1:11-12. Not celebrating the love feast together as a
church was further adding to the disintegration of the church.
In verses 23-26 he said, "For I received from the Lord what I also
passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took
bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my
body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way,
after supper he took the cup, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in
my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.' For
whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the
Lord's death until he comes." This was practiced during the "love
feast" commemorating the last supper Jesus had with his disciples that
we read of in Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 22. Paul says the Lord gave
him this to pass along to the churches.
In his admonishment of them, Paul pointed to their need to examine
themselves. Failure to do so would be a failure to discern the body of
Christ, "For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of
Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves." Consequently he told
them not to eat the bread or drink from the cup in an unworthy manner.
It is taught in the church today that we need to examine ourselves
before taking communion to see if there be any sin within ourselves we
should deal with to avoid the Lord's condemnation, "That is why many
among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.
But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not
come under such judgment." Verses 30-31.
I'm not sure what we have been taught today quite gets us there. What
does it mean to "discern the body of Christ"? Surely, it must be a
focus on the believer's outlook and attitude toward the other
believers that comprise the body of Christ. This letter is addressed
to a church that is crippled by schisms. The previous chapter focuses
on the need to live our lives in a way that builds up others, rather
than causing others to stumble, 10:32.
That examination of ourselves certainly should include a major focus
on our attitude and outlook toward the other believers in the
fellowship. Are we enjoying ourselves to the exclusion of others
within the fellowship?
What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send
me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are
receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply
and let me know.
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Our Outward Focus on Others - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33,
"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
Paul speaks of his efforts to please others, "in every way". In the previous verse, Paul expresses that one way he does this is to not be a stumbling block to others, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God", verse 32. Certainly, while he doesn't mention the active things he does in his efforts to "please everybody in every way", he engaged in those as well. He uses himself as an example for all believers to follow.
He writes of this in another passage, where he encourages his readers to have the same outlook, Romans 15:1-2, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
I can't think of a greater "outward" focus!
Jesus died on that miserable cross to provide us access to God on his heavenly throne with the opportunity to join his family, demonstrating the greatest of all expressions of concern for others. In Romans 15 he goes on to say, "For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'" Verse 3.
Paul tells us why we should have this same outlook: the salvation of others depends on it! "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." As sobering as it may be, the salvation of others just may rest on my treatment of them, how I "please" others. Paul sets the Lord and himself as examples for us to follow.
"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."
Paul speaks of his efforts to please others, "in every way". In the previous verse, Paul expresses that one way he does this is to not be a stumbling block to others, "Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God", verse 32. Certainly, while he doesn't mention the active things he does in his efforts to "please everybody in every way", he engaged in those as well. He uses himself as an example for all believers to follow.
He writes of this in another passage, where he encourages his readers to have the same outlook, Romans 15:1-2, "We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up."
I can't think of a greater "outward" focus!
Jesus died on that miserable cross to provide us access to God on his heavenly throne with the opportunity to join his family, demonstrating the greatest of all expressions of concern for others. In Romans 15 he goes on to say, "For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: 'The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.'" Verse 3.
Paul tells us why we should have this same outlook: the salvation of others depends on it! "For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved." As sobering as it may be, the salvation of others just may rest on my treatment of them, how I "please" others. Paul sets the Lord and himself as examples for us to follow.
This is a responsibility all believers have, not to be taken lightly! Our outward focus on how we treat others works in tandem with the work and gospel of Jesus Christ!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Monday, August 7, 2023
The Fallacy of "Irresistible Grace" - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23,
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
"Irresistible Grace" is the point in Calvinism that forms the letter "I" in TULIP, an acronym to help people understand the theology. That theological point explains that rather than individuals having to make a choice to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, of their own free will, they are, in fact, irresistibly drawn to him. God has chosen for himself only certain individuals and draws them to himself unconditionally (the "U" in TULIP). Since God is sovereign, those individuals cannot resist his will.
While I have known very many Calvinists over the years, and known them well, I can say that many are wonderful believers and are sincere in their beliefs. Many have a wonderful love of the Lord, a desire to serve him in every way they can, and have a remarkable reverence and devotion to God's word.
That being said, I find the whole of this theology entirely incomprehensible and a grave error of our day. Paul's passage above is simply one of many, many passages that render Calvinism as a theology that lacks a clear understanding of the Scriptures. Why would Paul alter his persona in order to "win" others if they are supposedly irresistibly drawn to the gospel anyway? Paul's comment, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." lacks coherence in the face of "Irresistible Grace".
"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
"Irresistible Grace" is the point in Calvinism that forms the letter "I" in TULIP, an acronym to help people understand the theology. That theological point explains that rather than individuals having to make a choice to embrace Jesus Christ in faith, of their own free will, they are, in fact, irresistibly drawn to him. God has chosen for himself only certain individuals and draws them to himself unconditionally (the "U" in TULIP). Since God is sovereign, those individuals cannot resist his will.
While I have known very many Calvinists over the years, and known them well, I can say that many are wonderful believers and are sincere in their beliefs. Many have a wonderful love of the Lord, a desire to serve him in every way they can, and have a remarkable reverence and devotion to God's word.
That being said, I find the whole of this theology entirely incomprehensible and a grave error of our day. Paul's passage above is simply one of many, many passages that render Calvinism as a theology that lacks a clear understanding of the Scriptures. Why would Paul alter his persona in order to "win" others if they are supposedly irresistibly drawn to the gospel anyway? Paul's comment, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." lacks coherence in the face of "Irresistible Grace".
Unfortunately, the schism this theology has spawned within the church by both those who endorse it and those who reject it has become devastating and debilitating to many. Both sides of that issue have become intolerant and vicious, a sad state of affairs. It will not be resolved within the church through cherry-picking "proof texts" to support one side of the error, calling each other names and accusing the "other side" of things that are not true.
While I do feel there is a very compelling resolution to the issue of Calvinism, there is something that transcends the theological arguments I mention here. Look at the heart of Paul! Here in this passage we see the man who once persecuted the church expend his life to add as much as he can to it! What love! What a changed heart! What a desire to serve the Lord in his pursuit of others needing the Lord!
Just amazing what God does!
I find the work of God in our lives just amazing! Were we all to allow ourselves to be transformed by the grace of God as Paul did, maybe resolutions to the theological arguments we have in the church might be more easily accessible.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Friday, August 4, 2023
We Live Through Jesus Christ - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 8:6,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"For us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live."
Our relationship with Jesus Christ is intimate and life sustaining. It is through him we have life. It is through him we have a hope, a future. It is through him we have our sins forgiven and it is through him we have a right relationship with our Heavenly Father.
As the writer of Hebrews puts it, "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word", Hebrews 1:2-3. Jesus Christ sustains us! He keeps life intact! He keeps both the celestial orbs spinning and our hearts beating! Each new breath we breathe, each beat of our hearts is a reflection of the work of Jesus Christ's sustaining power!!
And he loves us! "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord", Romans 8:35-39. How wonderful is that?!
Our relationship with Jesus Christ is intimate and life sustaining. It is through him we have life. It is through him we have a hope, a future. It is through him we have our sins forgiven and it is through him we have a right relationship with our Heavenly Father.
As the writer of Hebrews puts it, "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word", Hebrews 1:2-3. Jesus Christ sustains us! He keeps life intact! He keeps both the celestial orbs spinning and our hearts beating! Each new breath we breathe, each beat of our hearts is a reflection of the work of Jesus Christ's sustaining power!!
And he loves us! "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord", Romans 8:35-39. How wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Thursday, August 3, 2023
Seeking God's Will In A Decision - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 7:36-37,
"If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing."
There are many times in our lives where we feel the need to get the Lord's direction in a personal matter we face. We have a desire to do the right thing, to make wise decisions and please the Lord with the choices we make. Things like what college to attend (or not to attend college), what occupation to pursue, this job or that job, which girl (or boy) to marry, major purchases, etc. I suspect most of us feel that the more important the decision is we need to make, the more important it is to take before the Lord.
Paul's direction here for us is just fascinating as we think about taking important decisions before the Lord. Here he discusses marriage - should a man marry his fiance or not, now that he has become a believer. What can be more important than a decision like that?
What is fascinating here is that Paul provides direction for his readers that we might not expect. What we might expect is for Paul to say something along the lines of "Take the matter before the Lord in prayer and see what direction you think the Lord is giving you."
Instead, he says: you decide! If a man "feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants." He also says a man who has made up his mind does the right thing if he doesn't. His direction is to look at the conditions at play and make a decision.
This is, of course, in the context where the outcome of a matter is not something that results in sin, places some kind of distance between us and the Lord or betrays a weak faith. Paul's perspective is, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16. Be wise by saturating our minds with Scripture to know God's will in the way we live our lives and then apply that to a challenging personal decision.
"If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. They should get married. But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing."
There are many times in our lives where we feel the need to get the Lord's direction in a personal matter we face. We have a desire to do the right thing, to make wise decisions and please the Lord with the choices we make. Things like what college to attend (or not to attend college), what occupation to pursue, this job or that job, which girl (or boy) to marry, major purchases, etc. I suspect most of us feel that the more important the decision is we need to make, the more important it is to take before the Lord.
Paul's direction here for us is just fascinating as we think about taking important decisions before the Lord. Here he discusses marriage - should a man marry his fiance or not, now that he has become a believer. What can be more important than a decision like that?
What is fascinating here is that Paul provides direction for his readers that we might not expect. What we might expect is for Paul to say something along the lines of "Take the matter before the Lord in prayer and see what direction you think the Lord is giving you."
Instead, he says: you decide! If a man "feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants." He also says a man who has made up his mind does the right thing if he doesn't. His direction is to look at the conditions at play and make a decision.
This is, of course, in the context where the outcome of a matter is not something that results in sin, places some kind of distance between us and the Lord or betrays a weak faith. Paul's perspective is, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16. Be wise by saturating our minds with Scripture to know God's will in the way we live our lives and then apply that to a challenging personal decision.
Do you ever get the impression that the Lord loves to see the choices we ourselves make (as opposed to being his marionette) when we are guided by his word? The Lord turns to Michael the angel and says, "Did you see what Trevor just decided to do?" (Now, that could be quite sobering!)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Honoring God With Our Bodies - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and
majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 6:19,
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you
were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Interesting! Is this the greatest forgotten truth in the church? The
choices we make relative to our bodies should be weighed against a
reality Paul speaks of here. When we speak of our redemption, somehow
or other we often fail to embrace within our minds that we were
"bought at a price" and so there is an encumbrance upon every aspect
of our lives, and relative to Paul's point here, that includes our
bodies.
Sexual immorality within the church is what brought Paul's admonition
here. Paul points out that rather than seeking those things that are
at odds with God, we should honor God with our bodies.
It is apparent each of us, ("whoever is united with the Lord is one
with him in spirit", verse 17), should weigh the choices we make
relative to our bodies. Certainly Paul is saying that we should not
engage in those things that dishonor God, and the way Paul casts it
here, we should seek those good and positive things with our bodies
that honor God, "Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send
me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are
receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply
and let me know.
majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 6:19,
"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who
is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you
were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Interesting! Is this the greatest forgotten truth in the church? The
choices we make relative to our bodies should be weighed against a
reality Paul speaks of here. When we speak of our redemption, somehow
or other we often fail to embrace within our minds that we were
"bought at a price" and so there is an encumbrance upon every aspect
of our lives, and relative to Paul's point here, that includes our
bodies.
Sexual immorality within the church is what brought Paul's admonition
here. Paul points out that rather than seeking those things that are
at odds with God, we should honor God with our bodies.
It is apparent each of us, ("whoever is united with the Lord is one
with him in spirit", verse 17), should weigh the choices we make
relative to our bodies. Certainly Paul is saying that we should not
engage in those things that dishonor God, and the way Paul casts it
here, we should seek those good and positive things with our bodies
that honor God, "Therefore honor God with your bodies."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send
me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are
receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply
and let me know.
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Accepting Homosexuality in the Church - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 5:9-11,
"I [Paul] wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people."
In another letter to a different church, Paul wrote, " And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Paul's direction to the church in Corinth (as all of his writings as an apostle) bore the authority of God's very own words.
The United Methodist Church, at this link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-the-churchs-position-on-homosexuality, claims, "The Church implores families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. Underlying this is the constitutional principle of inclusiveness of the church. Everyone is welcome to worship and actively participate in the life of our churches. Laypersons may become members and live out their faith through their local church without respect to sexual orientation or practice."
Here is God's perspective on homosexuality:
"We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
"Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 18:22.
"If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." Leviticus 20:13.
"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:21-27.
"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." Jude 7.
Paul says to not associate with sexually immoral people within the church. Homosexuality is condemned throughout the Bible as sexual immorality. The United Methodist Church says that "Laypersons may become members and live out their faith through their local church without respect to sexual orientation or practice."
"I [Paul] wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people."
In another letter to a different church, Paul wrote, " And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." 1 Thessalonians 2:13. Paul's direction to the church in Corinth (as all of his writings as an apostle) bore the authority of God's very own words.
The United Methodist Church, at this link: https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-what-is-the-churchs-position-on-homosexuality, claims, "The Church implores families and churches not to reject or condemn lesbian and gay members and friends. Underlying this is the constitutional principle of inclusiveness of the church. Everyone is welcome to worship and actively participate in the life of our churches. Laypersons may become members and live out their faith through their local church without respect to sexual orientation or practice."
Here is God's perspective on homosexuality:
"We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me." 1 Timothy 1:8-11.
"Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
"Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 18:22.
"If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads." Leviticus 20:13.
"For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error." Romans 1:21-27.
"In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire." Jude 7.
Paul says to not associate with sexually immoral people within the church. Homosexuality is condemned throughout the Bible as sexual immorality. The United Methodist Church says that "Laypersons may become members and live out their faith through their local church without respect to sexual orientation or practice."
There is a clear difference of opinion between God and the United Methodist Church here. Whose opinion should we indorse?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
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Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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