Can you guess who?!
As I'm sure many of you were and have continued to be in
discussion about the Gay Marriage debate and many controversial topics, I too was involved in such
a "debate". It was between what seemed to mostly consist of a Jew,
a Christian and a Gentile. I say a "gentile" although this person identifies themselves as a Christian. Sounds better if you're telling a joke. Who really wants to hear a joke about a Jew and two Christians? Also, the "ouch" was real during the time of this debate, although unnecessary (that's how it is with feelings).
One of the Christians is younger in the faith and the Gentile referenced here has more of an experienced outlook. For the Jewish person I would not attempt to discern where they are on their faith journey, but I do know that they're Jewish by birth.
I believe as a part of "new members class" people being introduced to Christianity should study 1 Corinthians and see what they can extract on their own. I had not looked at the book in such "detail" until I found that it provided a significant response to Christians struggling with the issue of homosexuality and more specifically those who think it's our job to counsel those who identify with said sexual orientation, whether it be by identifying the "sinfulness", negating who they "are", and/or other silly things we've done as a community such as "aversion therapy" in order to cure people from their gayness.
One of the Christians is younger in the faith and the Gentile referenced here has more of an experienced outlook. For the Jewish person I would not attempt to discern where they are on their faith journey, but I do know that they're Jewish by birth.
I believe as a part of "new members class" people being introduced to Christianity should study 1 Corinthians and see what they can extract on their own. I had not looked at the book in such "detail" until I found that it provided a significant response to Christians struggling with the issue of homosexuality and more specifically those who think it's our job to counsel those who identify with said sexual orientation, whether it be by identifying the "sinfulness", negating who they "are", and/or other silly things we've done as a community such as "aversion therapy" in order to cure people from their gayness.
Before we move further understand this: Where I'm at, may not be where you're at in thinking, living, etc. I'm not suggesting I'm ahead or behind you; however, we may not be at the same place #consistency and that's okay. Your job is to allow what you think, believe, feel to be challenged and if you are so inclined follow-up that challenge with further study to gain more understanding even if it doesn't change your outlook. Something about your outlook should change though or you would've wasted your time. You also can't determine if you'd be wasting your time until you actually do it (i.e. Spend time). Also, keep in mind that the things we discuss can often times be applied in many areas not just the topic at hand #useYourKeys #doorOfKnowledge.
Heavenly Father,
May we take the time to dig deeper into your Word.
Many times we are consumed with what we know,
leaving us to ignore what we don't know.
Creator, sustainer, redeemer.
Allow us to embrace our spiritual journeys on this Earth.
Seeking you while you may be found.
Finding answers through the asking of questions.
Gaining revelation through the giftings of study.
Amen.
Alright! Let's go...
In continuing the conversation I'm going to give a quick little run through what is currently entitled, "Gay Marriage Response Notes". I didn't think of anything clever to name it at the time. If you haven't read GOMER pt 1, do that first as it provides the foundation for this entry. Also, here are snippets from the debate to be used as building blocks on top of this foundation.
In Romans 1, (a book which basically tends to rip apart the notion of "when in Rome do as the Romans do", for we know they were a successful empire once upon a time, but also brought into the world many ways of living that weren't necessarily beneficial, although some of these ways may have been around for a long time and the Romans happened to "perfect" them) the Apostle Paul makes a mentioning of faith. Specifically, in verse 17 he says that the Gospel (i.e. Good News) is able to bring about a righteousness in one's life that makes one "right in his sight" (i.e. God's sight).
My first question is this: What if our own in-sights (or insights) don't include his in-sights (or insights)? Sometimes our own understandings (e.g. Views) of the topic of concern don't match up with God's knowledge (i.e. Truth) on the matter. Just something to think about...actually, I want you to finish reading this entry with a lot of thinking having been done and/or that will take place. Also, be careful of relying too heavily on your thinking.
This is about thought provocation #ijs (i.e. I'm just saying).
Now we're going to literally "run" through the book of 1 Corinthians, highlighting a few key verses and asking several questions, making comments along the way. This is more of a "survey" if you will.
WARNING: This is not a substitute for reading of the book as a whole or doing more in depth study of the Scripture. It's your job to ensure you actually take the time to read these things. I could be telling you something wrong; I'd not do that intentionally. I even check things out for myself to verify what my Pastor tells me.
Divisions in the Church (1 Cor 1:10-17)
- Why are we divided? Doesn't the world have enough division (e.g. Poverty, Politics, Personas)
- We’re…not supposed to do that #scratchesHead
- “Who can know what the Lord is thinking? Who can give him counsel?”
- This speaks to the Greatness of God
- For more on that go here (Isaiah 40:13)
- We are revealed some things but not ALL things #LovePt1
Just Like Them (1 Cor 3)
- We’re no different than the world. “How you like dem apples?!”
- We should be different; therein lies the problem.
- Many non-believers have yet to see a distinct difference between "us" and "them"
- v 10
- Be careful how you lay them stones…
- v 18-20
- I’m trying to be foolish in hopes of gaining true wisdom
- Embracing the foolishness is up to you :-)
- My place is not to judge someone’s faithfulness
- We do that though #notATrueBeliever #Pharisee
- I’m coming for you…hope you’re ready
- No seriously. I will be coming. #inDueTime
- It may be "too late to apologize" #defense
- ..haha, okay back to business
- I don’t judge outsiders #jobOfJesus
- This is not the same as "don't judge lest you be judged" (Luke 6:37)
- Pertaining to judging others; expect to be judged the same way by God
- Simple law of "karma" (i.e. Law of Conservation of Energy)
- Better Known As..."that which you sow, you also shall reap" (Gal. 6:7-8)
- When you condemn someone outside the church b/c they are living in sin you are taking on the role of Christ
- God hates gays
- Ticket straight to hell
- Etc.
I know how some of you are and that most likely you might not check the reference for this, so I'm going to put it here to show you how EASILY we judge people outside of the church and call it love, righteousness, etc.
Luke 6:37 Amplified Bible (AMP)
37 Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and [a]release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and [b] released.
The footnotes for (a) and (b) suggest that this is a literal translation/literal meaning (i.e. No paraphrasing). What I'm attempting to point out to you here is what it means to judge.
That word censure means to "strongly or vehemently express of disapproval". How many people (cough), I mean Christians do you know of that strongly express their disapproval of _______ (e.g. Pick a sin, any sin.) committed by people outside of the church?
Case & Point:
A good brother of mine, and I say good because he's a friend and also a brother; however, that is not to suggest that is character is questionable, because it isn't. I've witnessed his growth. Here's how...This brother was a student of the Word. No doubt about it. He could quote it to you and he would tell it like it is. The problem? He needed more love. I would sit back and watch his zealous force in action as he would explain or talk about things in Bible Study. I always wondered if there was something that needed a little "tweaking" #minorAdjustment.
He eventually came to share a story with us of how he would attempt to evangelize to people during "street ministry", but ran into some issues involving homosexuals. At the time he possibly may have never considered why someone might be (or become) effeminate. You see, love was missing and had been separated (if never attached) to his witness. We all could learn a lesson from his experience. Start in love and eventually it will abound as grace does in setting us all free. I believe he was subjecting some of the people he witnessed to, to censure.
Possibly this may be what Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy did in making his statements about Gay Marriage; however, as with anything if someone asks of your opinion, who are you to not oblige? As Pontius Pilate stated in his response to Jesus' accusers, "I find in him no fault at all" (i.e. Not for what he's being accused).
Possibly this may be what Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy did in making his statements about Gay Marriage; however, as with anything if someone asks of your opinion, who are you to not oblige? As Pontius Pilate stated in his response to Jesus' accusers, "I find in him no fault at all" (i.e. Not for what he's being accused).
_______ (1 Cor 6:9-18)
- Wrong doers will have no share in the Kingdom of God
- Paul is addressing the Roman church not your ordinary “run-of-the-mill” Gentiles in the city square
- Effeminacy #genderRoles
- Is God male?
- Cultural understandings…letters are written to people in the culture at the time
- Letters are affected by what’s going on in the world
- Current understandings of right vs. wrong, good vs evil
- Communication style is indicative of "the way we talk"
- (e.g. I'll use certain "lingo" that is culturally relevant)
Knowledge (1 Cor 8:1-3)
- We all getting puffed up to prove who is right on this issue
- Where’s the love #blackEyedPeas
Love pt 1 (1 Cor 13)
- W/O love you have nothing
- We see part of the picture; partial revelation
- The perfect will come…but it’s NOT here (yet) #salvation #comingOfChrtist
- Many christians are not Christian at all.
- Paul urges us to wake up and live properly so that we may know God
- What does it mean to "know" God?
- “Act like men”…hmm #anotherStoryAnotherDay
- Do everything in love
I'd give you notes on this video, but then that'd be akin to giving away the answers.
I hate giving away the answers :-)
For Your Viewing Pleasure #defense
You got some thinkin' to do!
