God's Gift of Gender

Human beings were made in the image of God. This is so deep that I don’t know how to describe it. The animals were not made in his image. In fact, all of the animals, plants, and all of the galaxies were completed before man was created on the sixth day of creation. God had furnished the home before mankind ever moved in.

Being created in the image of God included the creation of gender. The Bible says:

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth." (Genesis 1.26-28)

And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. Then the rib which the LORD God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.

And Adam said: 

“This is now bone of my bones
 And flesh of my flesh;
 She shall be called Woman,
 Because she was taken out of Man."

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.  (Genesis 2.21-25)

“Male and female He created them.”

We live in troublesome times. In Europe and the United States we are not only seeing massive gender confusion but our society is encouraging it.

Little children, while young, have often been inquisitive and even puzzled about their own sexual identity. In days past, parents, teachers and the community would continue to affirm the child’s God given DNA to help reinforce the body parts on their bodies. Eventually, in most cases, boys would clearly understand that they were destined to become men and the girls would realize that they were actually young ladies.

Some never overcome the false identification they arrived at when young. Sometimes someone would take advantage of them sexually, further confusing the matter. Because of this, many perplexed individuals go through life not knowing who they are, not even their sexual identity. This causes many people to live in homosexual and lesbian lifestyles. Added to this is the measure of pleasure they would receive, even into adulthood, to encourage them to continue to identify more as someone of the opposite sex. Although there is a great deal of heartache that goes with that kind of living, many become entrapped in this way of life built upon a lie.

Now, we are suddenly in the next phase of depravity where, when a child is gender confused, parents, teachers and others often feel drawn or compelled to affirm the child’s confusion.

Today, if a young man or woman wants to be called something besides “him” or “her” they can choose their own identity pronoun. Schools are forced to comply. I heard that one kid chose “your majesty” as their own special pronoun. The school and others followed suit and conceded to it.

It doesn’t help the matter when high profile people such as Bruce, AKA “Caitlyn” Jenner, a well known, once masculine athlete, decide to have a “sex change” operation.

Our military, under the direction of former President Obama, will now spend $130,000 or more to provide that same surgery and hormone therapy to any soldier who so chooses, even if that individual has to be on inactive duty for two whole years while things are “leveling out”.

Don’t fall for the lies. If you have the body parts and the DNA of a boy/man, accept this as a gift from God. If you have the body parts and DNA of a girl/woman, you too should accept your gender as a blessing from God. We should conduct ourselves in a manner fit for our God given gender.

It’s easy for any of us to pervert God’s gift of sex. This perversion takes on many forms. We may be clearly heterosexual, which is good, but if we take on partners outside of marriage, we have still missed God’s plan of sexuality that he intended for us. If we become victims of pornography, we have done the same in our hearts.

God made us male and female. He knew what he was doing. His plan for sex was and still is between a man and woman for life within the bounds of the marriage covenant.

What is a Cult?

What is a cult? How would you know one if you saw one?

The word “cult” comes from a Latin word cultus which meant “worship.” But a cult is more than just a group that worships. Some dictionary definitions of the word “cult” include:

• A system of religious belief, esp. one not recognized as an established religion, or the people who worship according to such a system of belief:[i]
  
• A religion regarded as unorthodox or spurious; also :  its body of adherents[ii]
  
• A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.[iii]

Some of the common misconceptions of a cult one might hear are a religious group which is: small, regarded by others as strange or sinister, excessive, misplaced, and – a splinter group. But just because a group is small, it does not make them necessarily wrong. Just because they are considered “strange,” it doesn’t make them a cult. That which is true is often considered strange by the people of this world. If a faction splinters off of another, this doesn’t mean they are outside the realm of orthodoxy. Even though many of these characteristics are often common in many cults, I think we would be wise to consider a more biblical definition of a cult.

True Christianity is a cloth that is woven with many groups and denominations. Even though some may claim they are the one true, mother church and that all other groups are not legitimate, this is not so.

The existence of many different groups, some of which believe a little differently, does not qualify any of them as a cult. Most denominations have statements of faith which define their doctrine. You will notice a common core belief system from most of them too, though they may differ on the non-essentials.

I have been a member of Baptist churches ever since Jesus saved me from my sin. Most Christians recognize Baptists as true Christians. However, when a team of us went up from Texas to a northern American state to do some ministry up there, I found out that many people of the groups there regarded Baptists as a cult.

In Poland, where I went several years ago, the Baptist churches had felt the need to put “Christian Baptist Church” on their signs so that they would not be regarded by others as a cult but as Christian. They had suffered some persecution from some. Many Poles believed that Christians should all belong to their one group.

What I’m saying is that it is easy to place the label “cult” upon any group that does not believe exactly like us. This is wrong because when we use only the worldly definition of what constitutes a cult, it is possible for any group of Christians to label any other group of Christians as a cult. This causes even more division among the people of God.

A false definition of a cult, however, does not negate the true definition. So let’s look at the true definition. A cult is a group of people who profess Christianity but whose practices and beliefs are in direct disagreement with the core beliefs of Christianity. These core beliefs include reliance upon the bible as God’s word; God as Creator and giver of the moral law; belief in the unity of God in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit); recognition of the sinful nature of mankind; belief in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ; salvation by grace through faith in Jesus; heaven and hell as the final destiny of all humanity; and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

John, the Apostle of Jesus, wrote:

For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.[iv]

Here are some biblical characteristics of a cult or a false group: All cults have most, if not all of these ways about them.

1. Teaches doctrine which is foreign to scripture, especially in the area of Jesus Christ and Salvation. Most often, in cult teachings, they deny the Godhood of Jesus Christ. 
2. Requires unquestioned devotion to a human, fallible leader. This leader is often accountable to no one else. 
3. Isolates its members from all other groups. The bible teaches us that we are to be separated, but not isolated from the rest of the world.
4. Extra-biblical revelation. The cult will add books, writings and teachings from within to be regarded as equal to or superior to the bible.
5. Adheres to prophecies which are proven to be false.
6. Often the group, in obedience to its leader, teaches and believes that there is no salvation apart from itself.

Just because it may be popular to label a group as “a cult” does not make them one. There are many legitimate groups of Christians who may be outside the mainstream but which do not resemble any of the characteristics of cultism. And just because someone is a member or connected to a cult group does not necessarily mean they are unsaved. They may just be confused. We trust that God will truly lead them to the light and bring them out.

Finally: If you know someone who is in a cult, they are not irredeemable. Pray for their salvation and for their enlightenment to the truth, and if God provides you the opportunity, share the gospel of Jesus with them. God may use it to draw them unto himself.

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[i]     dictionary.cambridge.org

[ii]    merriam-webster.com

[iii]    dictionary.com

[iv]    2John: 7-11

How Important is Knowledge?

You don’t have to know much about electricity to enjoy it. You just turn on the lights.

You don’t have to know anything about aeronautics to fly. Just get on board and the pilot will get you to your destination.

You don’t have to know the number of the stars to sit out under a clear sky and enjoy the beauty of the night as you look at the majesty and glory of God's celestial creation.

You don’t have to understand all the intricacies of the respiratory system of the human body. Just breathe.

I do not know how someone with a wonderful family could be well fed, well clothed, well housed, healthy and smart, yet have a heart in turmoil and a feeling of discontent. But I’ve seen it.

At the same time, I don’t understand how another individual may be persecuted, hungry and hurting but still experience the peace of God which passes all understanding. I've seen this too.

You don’t have to be able to answer all the deep truths of scripture to enjoy the grace of our loving God. Just trust in his goodness and receive the salvation provided to you through the death and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.

There’s a lot I don’t know, but then I don’t have to because my Father knows everything. Even the smartest among us can’t figure everything out for herself (see what I did there?). We can, however, trust in the infinite wisdom of an omniscient[1] God.

Knowledge is important; however, the most important thing is not WHAT we know but WHO we know. That’s why the Apostle Paul wrote: “for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”[2]

This is also probably why Major Daniel Whittle wrote this hymn long ago:

I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.

But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.

I know not how the Spirit moves,

Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.

I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.

But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”

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[1] Means: All knowing

[2] 2 Timothy 1.12

How to Avert Useless Arguments

Sometimes arguments are needed because they are the only way we can communicate our point of view to another. There is a right way to argue and a wrong way. I am not always sure about the right way, but shouting and throwing things is not the right way!

But do you sometimes find yourself arguing about something that is pointless? Do conflicts between you and those you love escalate but not abate? Have you ever said something with agitation in your voice that garnered an equally agitated reaction until one or both of you were left with hurt feelings and a sour taste? As your emotions accelerated have you ever said something you wished you hadn’t?

There is a principle in God’s word that I have seen work very beautifully. I hope you will consider it the next time someone gets in your face and spills out caustic verbiage.

A soft answer turns away wrath,

        But a harsh word stirs up anger.

The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,

        But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

                                                                      Proverbs 15.1-2

A “soft answer” does not mean appeasing compromise. It is not fair to others or to ourselves if we enable others for their wrong behavior. It is not necessarily Spiritual when we become too agreeable. We should agree when we can but not while compromising godly convictions.

Years ago, when I was a pastor, my wife and I received a late night phone call to our home. She answered. The voice on the other end was loud, harsh and shrill, pouring out accusations with anger. It was directed at both of us.

I was sure that the caller was the one at fault and asked her to hand me the phone. I was going to give this individual a piece of my mind. I thought, “How dare they talk to my wife like that, and how dare they falsely accuse us both.”

Wisely, she didn’t give me the phone, and wisely, she never increased her volume but spoke in calm, even tones, speaking the truth in love. She never gave the individual on the other end of the line any justification for raising their voice. This caused things to settle and caused the angry accuser to look at things more realistically. Before they both hung up the phone, I heard the antagonist’s voice cool down into quietness. Surprisingly, the caller actually apologized for speaking such harsh words.

Neither my wife nor I had any trouble going to sleep that night but felt blessed that things had turned out as they had. I was amazed at how the Lord had used her soft answer to turn away someone’s wrath.

I wonder how it would have gone if she had handed me the telephone that night. I might have returned their accusations with accusations of my own. The volume and tone of our conversation might have intensified until we both got more and more irrational. Then, neither of us would be willing to listen to the other, only wanting rather to make our own points loudly and clearly.

Instead, the conversation ended with peacefulness rather than with perpetual punches.

I cannot guarantee that your soft answers will produce the same results every time. Some people are too irrational to hear what you have to say regardless of the tone or volume. But “harsh words stir up anger.” Speaking harshly to another might cause them to shut up, but it will never quell any hard feelings they might have toward you.

Next time someone jumps on your case about something, try to answer them truthfully but gently and see how God might use it in both of your lives.

Are You Being Unmasked?

"Behind the Leaf" Photo by Allef Vinicius

Dennis Montgomery, a former United States intelligence contractor is suing former FBI Director James Comey on the premise that a large number of American Citizens have been “unmasked,” (meaning under surveillance). Montgomery claims Comey and his agency covered up this illegal activity. He said that over twenty million Americans have been unmasked by the FBI according to Sara Carter who appeared on the Sean Hannity Show.[1] 

I don’t know if all of this is true, but if it is, it’s even possible it could include you or me.

“Unmasked;” that’s a term I had never heard until about a year ago. It almost makes it sound like the person being spied on is presumed to be guilty. If there is no mask (nothing to hide), one cannot be unmasked. Of course, most everyone has some private information such as personal finances, that they may not want the public to know about. That doesn’t mean, of course, that one is guilty of anything; just that they might not want everyone to know about something.

In the world of the Spiritual; however, everyone is guilty. Most of us have some things presently or in the past that we don’t want everyone to know about. Even as you read these words, something you’ve done may come to your mind.

Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, were suddenly ashamed after sinning. They tried their best to cover themselves (using leaves, which would eventually dry up and blow away). But they were unmasked. God knew what they had done and examined them concerning it. They would have to face the consequences of their sin, but then God made a sufficient covering for them by giving them coats of skin.

Jesus said, “For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.”[2]

Paul wrote, “… God shall judge the secrets of men...”[3]

One of these days the whole world, each one of us, will be “unmasked.” Like Adam and Eve, we all have sinned against God. We may be able to hide things from each other, but we can hide nothing from God – nothing.

There is one way we can keep from being unmasked. How? We can do so by removing our own masks now in the presence of God. We can come before him at this very moment and confess our sins – ugly as they are. We must place our faith in his Son, Jesus Christ as Savior and ask him to forgive us for all we’ve done wrong. He already knows, so just be open with him. By doing so you will enter into a relationship with the most powerful and holy one but also with the most loving person there is.

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[1] circa.com
   freerepublic.com

[2] Luke 12.2-3

[3] Romans 2.16

What is Stronger, Love or Hate?

What is stronger, love or hate, good or evil, right or wrong?

Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm:

For love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:

The coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.

Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it:

If a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned. 

Love is strong as death, said the bride to her groom in Song of Solomon 8.1

One day my wife and I were leaving the Dallas area. We figured that it wouldn’t take long to get away on the freeway if we left early on a weekend when the traffic would be light. Once we got close to the downtown area, we noticed that the traffic started slowing and getting packed. Not much further it slowed to a trickle, then to a stop. Then we could only move slowly in intermittent episodes.

Soon, we were all being directed into one lane on the right, then into an off ramp. We wondered what was happening. Why were we being redirected? There were people standing on the edge of the highway with cameras aimed to our left.

As we trudged down the access road on the right of the freeway, suddenly, across the freeway, to our left, we saw a building being engulfed in the smoke of dust! A demolition crew had imploded the many storied building with explosives. When the dust soon cleared, there was suddenly no building there. It had disappeared into a pile of rubble. In only a matter of seconds, the old high-rise was destroyed.

 

I used to do quite a bit of construction work. One thing I noticed was that when building constructively, it takes a lot of planning, measuring, and time to lay a foundation and erect a quality structure.

Not so much when tearing down. That goes pretty quickly. With sledge hammer and crowbar, a few good men can take some walls or even a building down in just a short time.

Thus; I ask the question, what is stronger, love or hate, good or evil? It seems, sometimes, that the work of the destroyer is so easy, that he is hard to overcome.

A mom and a dad spend countless hours sitting up with their growing child, expending immense energy. They sink tremendous amounts of time and money into their little investment. They dote upon, discipline and dress their beloved one. They transport and travel many miles for the young man or woman. With pride and joy, they watch him grow up, contributing every step of the way. They devote great effort to provide for their child’s best possible education.

One bullet, fired from a distant chamber, one malicious act, one evil deed can tear down a life in one day after years of nourishment.

One thoughtless word can destroy a person’s reputation that took a lifetime to build up.

One illicit affair can bring down, in a moment, a marriage that was previously built upon years of love and trust.

One Trojan horse can bring a covert enemy into a city where it took its people a great deal of time to construct a wall of protection.

So, it may appear that the power of destruction is greater than the power of production. It may appear that the power of death finally wins over that of life, that evil will win over good and that hate will ultimately conquer love.

The law of the Old Testament had said: “An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.” The concept was to destroy the destroyer. Makes sense. That way the evil action is punished and the evil one is stopped. And this is what government has to do to deter wickedness.

But evil often has a way of being incorrigible and its influence is almost without boundaries. If one wicked one is stopped, there seems to be five more who step up in his place.

Enter – Jesus Christ. “For God so loved…”

Jesus said; "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,” Matthew 5.43-44.

Did Jesus live up to what he taught? Think about this. When Jesus was being betrayed by his own disciple, Judas, in the garden of Gethsemane, he had the opportunity to retaliate. Peter had started the process for him by lopping off a man’s ear with a sword.

But Jesus said: "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword.” (Matthew 26.52)

Why? Love is why. Jesus could have come down from the cross if he had so willed. He could have easily called 80,000 angels to overcome not only the Sanhedrin and their soldiers but all of the Roman troops that were occupying Israel at the time.

Yes, Jesus did live up to what he taught. In fact, he is the only one who has ever fully lived up to it. Even with our noblest effort, we all come short.

How are you and I to deal with haters? We are to love them. The bible says; “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12.21) “Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins.” (Proverbs 10.12)

Hatred hardens, but love softens. Whereas love will make one better and make one’s life better; hatred destroys not just the hated one but the hater. Hatred will eat a person away like cancer of the soul.

In the end, we know love will win, because God is love. Though Satan has inflicted his evil acts of hate upon those who know God, he will not ultimately conquer. Though it might appear that he has overcome in this world – no, he will be overcome. (Revelation 20.10)

God, the most powerful person in the universe is in essence, love, the most powerful force in the universe. Through his love, hate will be defeated.

Our God is a Liberal God

What do I mean that God is liberal? Not a theological liberal nor a political liberal, but he is a philanthropical liberal. The bible says: “God … gives to all liberally.[1]” Not a humanist, but he is a humanitarian.

          Our God is kind and shows his grace
          To every one of the human race.       

He has given so much to you whether you are a Christian or you do not believe in him[2]. He gives you the air you breathe, the water you drink, and the food you eat. He provides you family and/or friends to love and be loved by. He has given you a place to rest your head and a shelter from storms. He has given you laughter and a measure of happiness. He has given you talents and abilities that are unique to you. He has given you freedom to make choices. He has given you his creation to enjoy.

God has given you your body with all of its functions, including; a brain that can reason and send the right signals throughout your body. He has given you a beating heart that distributes oxygen, nutrients and bacteria fighting cells throughout your bloodstream. These are just a few of the things God has given to all of humanity – including you.

God gave his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to a lost human race. Jesus gave his blood and his life upon the cross so we could have the gift of eternal life.

Thank God that he is a liberal God – a generous God. Let’s seek to be like him. Jesus said; “…He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.[3]”

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[1] James 1.5

[2] Matthew 5.45

[3] Luke 6.35-36