Question: Does believing the right things matter?

This week we ask: does believing the right things matter? For some thoughts, please read below.

Truth Matters

Scripture attests that God's word is true (Psa. 18:30, 25:5, 86:11 119:160; John 17:17; Eph. 1:13). Knowing truth matters. This is the whole goal of our "Q&A" series. God desires that we will know the truth because the truth will set us free (John 8:32). Scripture attests to a holy God who's word is true and therefore, there are specific truths regarding salvation and our eternal destiny. Many people in the world today deny that exclusive truth exists, rather, there are many truths which people can believe. If they are not willing to go that far, some will say that we are saved by Jesus Christ but that we don't necessarily have to proclaim his name. We might call it something else, but in the end it's really Jesus even if we have a different name for him.* Does Scripture back this up? Undoubtedly the answer is no.  

Scripture is very specific about the truth claims of Christ in order to be saved (Matt. 16:13-19; John 14:6; Acts 4:10; Rom. 10:8-9). Jesus explicitly says that he will build his church upon the confession that he is the Christ the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:17-18). Scripture is also specific about the exclusivity of God's holiness above all else. There is none besides him (Deut. 32:39; 1 Sam. 2:2; Psa 86:10; Isa. 37:16, 45:6). Again, Scripture is specific about judgment God's place as judge (Psalm 7:11; 50:6; 96:13; Acts 10:42; Rom. 2:2, 6-8; 2 Th. 1:5-6; 2 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 12:23; 2 Pet. 2:4; Rev. 14:7). This denies that man has a final authority in matters of salvation.  

Faith Matters

Certainly we can not know all the wonderful things of God within our finite existence. The Psalmist declares this when he says, "Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?" (Psalms 106:2 ESV). God declares, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways" (Isa. 55:8). Though we have been given knowledge of what is true according to Scripture, there is still a need for faith in appropriating those for our lives. Faith is the gift of God which ensures salvation through Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:8-9). Faith is also something which needs to be continually renewed and encouraged (Psa. 51:12; 1 Th. 5:14). Paul constantly speaks through his letters about encouragement and refreshment.  

There are some hard truths in Scripture and the purpose of the body of Christ is to encourage one another in times of weakness and despair. Scripture constantly reminds us of our need for God's salvation and our inability to accomplish it on our own, therefore we trust by faith in the work of Christ to accomplish this. We have faith that despite turmoil and anguish, God still cares and will be the strength of his people in times of suffering. Faith matters, but the content of that faith equally matters.  

Content Matters

Faith, while a rich and precious word, can also be a quite empty word as well. "Just have faith," one might say. But faith in what? Faith is just as an ambiguous word as any unless it contains the correct content. For the Christian, faith is believing that Scripture is the inspired word of God, that we are in desperate need of salvation from sin, and that Jesus Christ is who he says he is. More could be said, but when a Christian says that he or she has faith, the content must include these things. We believe that to have faith in Christ is to recognize that it's only through his life and death that our sins are forgiveness. Jesus, in John 5, gives us a clear picture of correct content regarding himself. We also recognize that Scripture is God's word and shows his works and plans in the past, now and in the future. We believe that apart from God we are sinful and will perish in our sins. This is what it means to have faith; this is not merely head knowledge, but true heart longings. 

The Final Matter

There is one main truth found in Scripture, namely, that God is holy and we must believe in him now through Christ if we are to be saved. There is no room for ambiguity. This does not mean we need to know every theological proposition in order to be saved, but there is an absolute truth proclaimed in Scripture which we must affirm. Truth matters, and believing the right things matters. Until we understand the judgment of God, we will never understand our need for Jesus Christ. This is what makes the Gospel so offensive, and why people are apt to change its message. We must be people of truth, proclaiming the correct content of faith, yet ultimately affirming the need for faith. May we not be people who seek to dilute the message of the gospel for the sake of popularity or winning more people to our cause, but may we be faithful to the word implanted in our hearts that God would be glorified and draw people unto himself not by our words, but solely by his. Take care and have a great week in the Lord! 

- Coleman

Question: What is the Christian response to the issue of gay marriage?

This week I want us to briefly address an important question that will undoubtedly have a huge impact on all of us in the immediate future: what is the Christian response to gay marriage?

Not Absolute  

If you haven't already seen them, you will most likely see them in the future on the news holding up signs and chanting various slogans. These groups usually form into two different sides. One group will hold up signs saying "God is love" and "God loves me just the way I am" and the other group will have signs that say something to the effect of "Gays go to hell" or "God Hates Gays." Where do we fit into all this mess? Are we to pick a side or is there better alternative? I propose that for Christians willing to live out the gospel and love others then the answer must be yes. Our other alternative is simple yet profound: preach the good news!  

Al Mohler, theologian and president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky posits three contributing factors which have made same-sex marriage in today's world a plausible and even desirable idea. For our purposes here we will not spend time analyzing these factors, but I invite you to read his article on his blog by clicking here. For us, we should understand that there has been a drift away from the moral absolute regarding marriage and instead we now see the seeds of post-modern moral autonomy blossoming. But again the question for us is: what should our response be?

Not Surprised

Scripture tells us that the "no one is righteous, no, not one...no one does good not even one (Romans 3:10-12). This means that apart from from God none of us is truly good. Though many may have good morals and decide to live in a moralistic way, our natures do not allow us to be truly righteous in the sight of God. So in the end, should we be surprised at our culture when rules and laws are made or changed to reflect man's selfish desires? I say we should not be surprised. As Christians who are saved by grace, we should be the first to understand that those apart from God will ultimately not make choices which fall in line with God's standard of righteousness. In the end, we should not expect government to regulate Christian principles anyway. If laws and regulations do fall in line with Christian standards then we should praise God, but if not then let us not be surprised. Instead, we are to pray and encourage those in government to make the right decisions but ultimately rest on the hope of God and his righteousness yet to be revealed at the second coming of his Son (see Revelation 21 for our hope of the eternal city).

Not Tuned In

In today's world of social media and technology, ideas are much more easily assimilated by our culture. Take for instance the recent political upheavals in Egypt and Libya. Opposition groups in these countries used social media as a way of rallying support for the idea of freedom and independence. I'm not here to comment on the validity of those political situations, but they are an recent example which highlights the infiltration of social media and their ability to spread ideas at an accelerated rate. So too with religion and morality. We are constantly bombarded with differing ideologies regarding same-sex marriage among other important issues. Social media has a way of compounding an issue which may be complex and worthy of dedicated research and debate into an issue of limited options and point of views. What do I mean?

Well, say you had a friend who was pro-gay marriage, and that friend posted something on her Facebook announcing her point of view. Then a conversation started around that, with comments and further updates regarding the issue. And lets say you decide to check your Facebook and all you see are comment after comment regarding this issue. It seems most of your friends are actually pro-gay marriage as well that is all you happen to see regarding the issue. You've automatically been given just one-side to a multi-faceted issue. This may be over simplistic in explaining social media and its effects, but hopefully you see the point. We tend to concentrate on what is getting the most attention, even if the voices are few and the debate and research poorly facilitated. We must decide to view what we see in media and online with much more scrutiny and choose to truly tune in to what God's word may have to say on the issue. And what is the message that God's word provides?  

Not Dissuaded

Again, we must understand that man's fallen ability to legislate God's righteousness is an impossible task. We must not be surprised when it doesn't happen. Even so, we must not be dissuaded from the truth of God's word. Man's nature is fallen and the only hope is the willing sacrifice of the Son of God and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in order to make use right with God. Morality won't cut it. In light of our fallen state and redemption in Christ, we as Christians must recognize that our obligation is to preach the truth of salvation in Christ alone! We are sinners saved by grace, and our message is to be the same. Paul says, “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:22-24 ESV). Our response is not to bend to one's claim of moral autonomy, but rather our message is to be of love and grace that points to the Savior. John says, “We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV). Again our response is not to run and hide nor is it to picket signs of hate, but our job is to love. Love that transforms, not conforms. Love that will be honest and truthful, yet forgiving and full of grace. Love that will implore people to change and not make excuses. That's the kind of love the Father shows to us through the Son and by the Spirit.

Not Over

The issue of gay marriage is one we MUST have a definitive plan of action for. We must be ready to expect disagreement and possibly persecution. We must be ready to stand on the word of God as truth. We must also be willing to embrace gay couples and individuals with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be relational and willing to sit across from the coffee table with those who need the grace of God just as much as we do. We must be willing to share a meal with those who, like all of us, need the atonement of Christ for their sins. We must be willing to look at all peoples as image-bearers of God yet seek to proclaim the truth that God's standard of righteousness is universal, not morally autonomous. We must love as God first loved us. May God grant you perseverance in showing love to all peoples and proclaiming the truth of salvation in Christ alone. Take care and have a great week!

 
- Coleman