Leviticus 18:22 NKJV “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination.”
Leviticus 18:22 NLT “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin.”
No matter what side you’re on, everyone who’s been involved in the debate over homosexuality knows this verse. The world uses this verse to illustrate how backwards and intolerant the church is toward an oppressed minority. While many inside the church use this verse to lump certain people together into condemnation. Still others in the church say that this verse shows how outdated some parts of the Bible are. All of these arguments are completely wrong, and every one of them miss a major point - this verse condemns the act of homosexuality, but not those who practice it!
The reason this debate has become so heated is because we’ve used one particular sin to define a person. We call them them ‘homosexuals’ - as if what they do is who they are. But I’m telling you, there is a difference between a person’s behavior and their identity! Sure it’s a sin, sure God hates it, but that’s why Jesus came! He came to pay the penalty that our sin deserves - to bring forgiveness to the sinner! If we’re ever going to reach the world for Jesus, we need to learn how to separate what a sinner does from what their worth.
Which one of these sins do you think is worse?
Homosexuality
Pride
Lying
Murder
Gossip
If you’re like most Christians, even if you wouldn’t say it, homosexuality would be at the top of your list. After all, pride isn’t a ‘real sin.’ Lying and Gossip are wrong every time except when we do it. And murder can be repented of and then you’ll have a powerful testimony! (I’m describing our attitudes toward these sins, not the truth!) But homosexuality? It’s permanent! It’s a black mark on your eternal record! God calls it an abomination!
Would it surprise you that each of these sins are called an abomination to God? It’s right here in Proverbs 6:16-19: “These six things the Lord hates; yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” There you have it, seven sins that are as detestable to God as homosexuality!
What’s my point here? Well, do you believe that lying is unforgivable? Do you believe that a liar can never change? Do you think that slander and discord is so deep-rooted into a gossip’s character that they can never change? Of course not! If we don’t look at these other abominations that way, then why do we condemn sinners who are caught in homosexuality to a worse fate?
This whole debate of accepting or condemning homosexuals completely misses the point! One side claims that homosexuals are born this way, so they should just be accepted. The other side says that homosexuals are an abomination and cuts them off. But the point is this: no behavior makes a person less valuable to God! Of course it’s sin, what would you expect from a sinner? But, in God’s eyes, one sinner isn’t better or worse than another! And the beauty of it all is that God wants to separate us from our sin!
We know that God doesn’t see sinners as unchangeable. God is in the business of separating people from their sin! Aren’t you glad that God didn’t condemn you for what you were doing? When we were sinners, when we were trapped by our behavior, Jesus still saw our worth! He died to sever sin’s hold on us. Don’t you think that wonderful freedom should be offered to everyone? Or are there some sins that are just too ‘gross’ to be redeemed from?
There were sinners in Jesus’ day that were looked at like this. The religious leaders condemned them because of the things they did. They were rejected, shunned and ridiculed. But whenever Jesus encountered them, He embraced them! The Pharisees were shocked! They asked His disciples, “Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
Do you see it? The Pharisees condemned the person with the behavior. But Jesus separated them! Even though He never accepted or endorsed the sin, He loved the sinner. And it was His love that changed their lives! Zaccheus repented of his sin when Jesus ate dinner in his home. The adulteress changed her life when Jesus defended her from her own actions.
This is my point: being sweet to someone who is involved in immorality doesn’t mean you’re endorsing that immorality. We’re called to show the same love that God showed us. I’m so glad that God loved me in spite of my sin - aren’t you?
Romans 2:4 “The goodness of God leads you to repentance”
Showing posts with label Redemption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Redemption. Show all posts
Monday, June 25, 2012
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Redemption
Psalm 107:2 “Let the redeemed of the LORD say so”
Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth”
What do you believe about redemption? Why did we have to be redeemed? What were we redeemed from? What were we redeemed with? It’s a sad thing that most believers can quote these verses, but have no clue what they mean when they say it. Redemption is such a beautiful concept, but how many Christians could describe it if you asked?
The word redemption in the Hebrew is gĕullah. It’s a legal term that to buy back something that was lost; specifically something that was lost because of debt. When someone accrued up a debt that was too large for them to pay, they were sold as slaves by their creditor. As a slave, they were required to work until their debt was paid off. The more debt they had, the longer they were forced into labor. Once their debt was paid, they were said to have redeemed themselves. Sadly, many times the debt was so great that entire families were sold into slavery to pay what was owed.
Sometimes a family member would find out about their relative’s slavery and want to help. They would learn how much that person owed on their debt and pay it in full. With no more debt, the person forced into slavery was legally set free - their relative redeemed them.
You’re already seeing the spiritual side of this, aren’t you?
God created mankind to serve Him. But when Adam sinned, he sold us into slavery. Jesus said in John 8:34, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Paul said in Romans 7:14 that we are “sold under sin.” Every human being on this planet was born into slavery. Although it entered our life as a family debt that was owed by Adam, it became a personal debt the moment we first sinned. We have been sold as slaves to sin and death.
The problem is, we can’t pay our debt. The payment of our debt is a sinless death. I can’t pay for my sin because I’m not sinless; and you can’t pay for my sin for the same reason. We were hopeless, destined for an eternity in Hell.
But, God had it all planned out! Psalm 130:7-8 says, “For with Yahweh there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” God’s plan was always to redeem us from our sin, but where could He find a sinless person to pay our debt?
The answer is, He took it on Himself! Hebrews 9:12 declares, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” God came in the flesh (Jesus) to give His own life to buy us back to Himself - that is the doctrine of redemption.
We’ve been redeemed from the penalty of sin.
Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
We are no longer required to bear the punishment of our sin. Jesus paid the price in full!
We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
When Jesus redeemed us, He broke the power that sin had over us. Now, we are free from our sinful nature!
We will be redeemed from the presence of sin.
Luke 21:28 “...look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Romans 8:23 “...eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
One day, our bodies will be redeemed - when we’re caught up to be with the Lord in the air! The Bible says that “when we see Him, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2). On that day, every trace of our old nature will be annihilated, and we will be in the presence of our Redeemer forever!
Job 19:25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth”
What do you believe about redemption? Why did we have to be redeemed? What were we redeemed from? What were we redeemed with? It’s a sad thing that most believers can quote these verses, but have no clue what they mean when they say it. Redemption is such a beautiful concept, but how many Christians could describe it if you asked?
The word redemption in the Hebrew is gĕullah. It’s a legal term that to buy back something that was lost; specifically something that was lost because of debt. When someone accrued up a debt that was too large for them to pay, they were sold as slaves by their creditor. As a slave, they were required to work until their debt was paid off. The more debt they had, the longer they were forced into labor. Once their debt was paid, they were said to have redeemed themselves. Sadly, many times the debt was so great that entire families were sold into slavery to pay what was owed.
Sometimes a family member would find out about their relative’s slavery and want to help. They would learn how much that person owed on their debt and pay it in full. With no more debt, the person forced into slavery was legally set free - their relative redeemed them.
You’re already seeing the spiritual side of this, aren’t you?
God created mankind to serve Him. But when Adam sinned, he sold us into slavery. Jesus said in John 8:34, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.” Paul said in Romans 7:14 that we are “sold under sin.” Every human being on this planet was born into slavery. Although it entered our life as a family debt that was owed by Adam, it became a personal debt the moment we first sinned. We have been sold as slaves to sin and death.
The problem is, we can’t pay our debt. The payment of our debt is a sinless death. I can’t pay for my sin because I’m not sinless; and you can’t pay for my sin for the same reason. We were hopeless, destined for an eternity in Hell.
But, God had it all planned out! Psalm 130:7-8 says, “For with Yahweh there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.” God’s plan was always to redeem us from our sin, but where could He find a sinless person to pay our debt?
The answer is, He took it on Himself! Hebrews 9:12 declares, “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” God came in the flesh (Jesus) to give His own life to buy us back to Himself - that is the doctrine of redemption.
We’ve been redeemed from the penalty of sin.
Ephesians 1:7 “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace”
We are no longer required to bear the punishment of our sin. Jesus paid the price in full!
We’ve been redeemed from the power of sin.
Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”
Romans 6:18 “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”
When Jesus redeemed us, He broke the power that sin had over us. Now, we are free from our sinful nature!
We will be redeemed from the presence of sin.
Luke 21:28 “...look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”
Romans 8:23 “...eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”
Ephesians 4:30 “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”
One day, our bodies will be redeemed - when we’re caught up to be with the Lord in the air! The Bible says that “when we see Him, we will be like Him” (1 John 3:2). On that day, every trace of our old nature will be annihilated, and we will be in the presence of our Redeemer forever!
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