, therefore, perhaps I should be called the opinionator. But think about it, we all have our way of looking at things, evaluating what we hear and see, and then coming up with what we conclude as a result. I would hope that our faith informs us first and foremost. The other day I was once again reminded of how one's philosophy in life can make a huge difference in the area of public policy. If a person believes that everyone is basically good then their social approach is to deal primarily with the environmental surroundings hoping to make a good person even better. However, for those of us who know ourselves to be fallen creatures, we are very much aware of how bent we are on doing wrong, from the inside out. Our experience would testify to the need for people to be changed from within through a new birth relationship with Jesus Christ who came do deal with our inherited sinfulness. (John 3:16)Our belief in God and His saving power changes us forever. We may be called social conservatives because of our particular views on particular issues. However, it should be our views as conditioned by the truth found in God's revelation of Himself to us that causes us to view issues in the way that we do. This doesn't mean that folks always are giving God's point of view
on particular issues when they claim to do so. I can remember all the Bible verses I heard growing up that supposedly supported the mistreatment of other people because of the color of their skin. No amount of loud preaching can cause these verses to support this form of wrong behavior. The Apostle Paul said that when he was a child he spoke like a child and acted like a child but when he grew up he acted in a mature and appropriate manner. (1st Cor 13:11) This is our quest: To grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior. (2 Peter 3:18) So folks in the past and even in the present still use The Scriptures to support unbiblical views. This often leads those who want to establish behaviors that are inconsistent with God's Word to use the history of this abuse as a way of trying to throw off any and all critical comments about their aberrant ways. You and I should not lose heart. We should boldly speak the truth in love, knowing that we too are fallen and we too need God's grace.It's tough to stand up for what we believe God's Word clearly teaches. It's naturally unpopular because the world in general rejects any and all things that constrains their evil desires. Rather than be defeated by this we should understand it for what it is and continue to love those who need to be changed by the power of God. Often folks who take a stand for biblical truth are portrayed as being holier than thou types and we can, if we are not careful, becom
e just that. Even this should not keep us from allowing our study of God's Word and our faith in Him to inform our weighing of the culture and all that is going on around us. How can we remain humble as we seek to be bold in our standing up for God's clear principles? We can do this as we always live out our own understanding of our personal weaknesses and our knowledge of just how much we need God's mercy and forgiveness every day that we live. Jesus came into the world to serve, not to be served. We serve Him by loving and serving others in our stand for truth. (Mark 10:45) Our nation needs a consistent testimony from those who are called by the name of our Lord, that testimony should reflect the message that Jesus preached:"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."Matthew 11:28-30. Amen. .....More later.
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