Category: Faith

I have been closely watching the “hate-crimes” legislation debate in the House Judiciary Committee. This legislation is supposed to receive a vote tomorrow. According to OneNewsNow, this legislation “would add gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability to the list of protected categories under federal hate crimes law.” If this passes, it could make true Christianity very difficult.

That sounds overly dramatic. It isn’t. In II Timothy 4, Paul told Timothy to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”

Telling the truth about homosexuality may soon be out of season.

Proclaiming the Bible’s stance (and, therefore, God’s stance) on homosexuality could be considered hate speech of a threatening nature. This is not limited to preachers, just as what Paul said to Timothy is not limited to preachers.

We as Christians are obligated to be salt and light into this dying world. Especially if it is inconvenient. There are countries in this world where martyrdom and persecution are common. Why could that NOT happen in America? America continues to make it clear that a large portion of it wants nothing to do with God.

Evangelical Christianity has been labeled in some segments of the media to be filled with hate towards homosexuals and homosexuality. This belief could not be further from the truth. A true Christian loves unbelievers, and wants to see all people accept Christ and receive the life change that only Jesus can give.

But there is hate involved concerning sin.

 God hates it.

But here’s the thing…

God hates gay and straight sin.

God hates black sin.

White sin.

Asian sin.

Latino sin.

Man sin.

Woman sin.

All sin.

But in His mercy he provided His Son. Jesus’ blood was spilt for all. The salvation that His blood provided is available to all. All we have to do is trust in Him as our Savior. That is what we proclaim.

The sins that I commit every day are just as heinous as any sin a gay man or woman could commit. All I know is that, on July 5th, 1981, I accepted Christ as my Savior. I accepted atonement for my sin. I allowed it to pay my sin debt. I welcome Christ’s return. And I boldly proclaim what His Word says.

Christians, we may one day face a time when a blog like this could lead to a prison sentence. Psalm 56:11 says, “in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” How many Christians have been martyred and persecuted for the cause of Christ? Nothing that can be done to us on this earth compares to Christ’s death on the cross: the separation from the Father and the agony of His physical death make anything this world could dish out child’s play.

This world is not my home.

If you are reading this and are not saved, you need to accept Christ today. Right now. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. You don’t have to understand everything in the Bible. You just have to believe that Jesus loves you. He died on a cross for your sins. He rose from the dead three days later. He is coming back soon. Accept the free gift of salvation He offers to you now, “because, 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.” (Romans 10:9)

I am hearing wonderful things from all over the place about lives that were changed during services Easter Sunday. One church planted three new churches and saw hundreds saved. Another saw several hundred saved in their services. Yet another saw over 700 saved. I have been amazed at the extent God has been at work in houses of worship lately.

How many more are unaware?

I saw an article about a website that, after the rapture, will send your loved ones an email with a final plea to turn to Christ before all is lost for eternity. Now, I don’t really have a problem with such an enterprise. Some of the comments about the website, however, were troubling.

One person said that if all the “Bible-thumpers” were to disappear, it would be great. “We could teach science and reason in our schools, give everyone equal rights, explore space, and clean up the environment. It would be a golden age for mankind.”

WHAT? Let me see if I understand. Millions of people vanish. Untold chaos erupts worldwide. And from all that… paradise ensues?

Another person said that unbelievers were the ones that would be “swept away,” because in Matthew 24 it says that it would be as it was in the days of Noah. Just goes to show that a little knowledge (very little) is a dangerous thing.

There were dozens more examples of misinformation, truth rejection, and absurdity. But they all point to why we need to remain vigilant and not rest on our successes. Millions need Christ, including those behind every negative comment towards our God and what He plans to do. I pray for every one of those anonymous souls that desperately need salvation before they are unpleasantly surprised by the reality of what’s to come.

Every Sunday is a new opportunity. Every minute of every day is a new opportunity. Let us all look for new ways to tell others about the hope we have in Christ.

I hesitate to even write this entry, because I don’t want people to get the wrong idea. I’m not making light of sacrifice.

As we approach Easter, I’ve been thinking about the cross and the grave. The other morning as I was getting ready for church, I believe God spoke into my life…

Anybody can die. 

The miraculous thing about our salvation and Christ’s death on the cross is not that He died. Two thieves died next to Him that day. Many others died before or since. Christ suffered like no man has ever suffered and died a death more horrific than anyone else has ever experienced. And He allowed it to happen. But was His death a miracle? Not really.

God the Son wrapping Himself in flesh and being born of a virgin? Yes, I would call that miraculous. Feeding thousands with practically nothing? Miraculous. Walking on water? Without a doubt. But dying? No. Christ’s earthly body started to die when He was born. Human flesh is finite and relatively easy to kill.

The miracle came three days later. Our Savior and Lord conquered sin, death, and the grave to pay our sin debt. The tomb where He was laid is empty today because our Messiah didn’t stay in there. The grave could not hold our King.

Pastor Johnny Hunt said it best when he said that churches might want to replace the cross on the wall with an empty tomb. I think I agree with that.

The story didn’t end at the cross. That’s the miracle. We should be forever grateful for the sacrifice our Savior made, and in awe of the fact that death couldn’t keep its grip on Him.