THE STRENGTH OF MEEKNESS

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."

(Matthew 5:5, ESV)

People often mistake meekness for weakness. The fact is, meekness is a strength. Meekness is strength under control. It is a strength without the use of force. Meekness is a passive form of strength, but nevertheless a necessary strength. Meekness is a virtue in which strength is used in a gentle way. It is the ability to be able to use the right amount of force in your strength to deal with an issue or situation that may come up during your day. In other words, meekness is the strength of gentleness and gentleness is the strength of meekness. A friend once said in a sermon, “The gentleness of our demeanor reveals the greatness of our God.” So it is that if a man’s great strength is his meekness, then this testifies to the greatness of God manifested in his life through that man’s gentle spirit. According to the Scriptures, the Prophet Moses was marked by a very meek spirit, for we read in Numbers 12:3,“Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.” (ESV). Now other translations of the Bible use the word “humble” instead of the term meek. These two virtues are like two different sides of the same coin. However, in a sense these two virtues are so closely associated with each other that it’s safe to say that a person who is humble possesses the strength of meekness, and a person who is meek possesses the spirit of humility. Moses exemplified these virtues well, yet he failed in this his greatest strength, because the children of Israel provoked him to anger. In other words, he lost control of his temper, when he needed most to remain meek and humble in the situation. 

DO WE GET A FREE PASS TO HEAVEN?

"Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, KJV)

The above text makes it clear, there are no exceptions to this truth. If a person is not born again, he or she can never get to heaven, or "see the kingdom of God" as today's text says. Yet some will argue, but "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16, NASB). Then they will say, "You see, since I "believe" in God, I am therefore going to heaven." Yet their belief is only superficial. It is not really based on the principle of faith that the Scripture talks about. They have a belief without repentance. There belief is based more on what they think, than what the Word of God actually teaches. They want a loving God who will overlook their sin, and not judge them for it. They argue, "If God loves me so much, then He should accept me the way I am." The fact is God loves us way too much to leave us the way we are, "dead in [our] trespasses and sins." (Eph. 2:1). Such people ignore the significance of John 3:3, 7, 16. They also ignore such Scripture passages that say, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36, NASB). I like how the ESV version translates the last part of this text: "but the wrath of God remains on him." The key word here is "remains" or "abides" (NASB) on him. The truth is, it is not enough to just "believe" in God, you must "trust" in Him for salvation. As long as a unbeliever holds to a belief in God without repentance, the "wrath of God" will always "remain on him" For "even the demons believe--and tremble" for they well know they are going to be judged for their wickedness (see James 2:19, NKJV).

I don't mean to come across as unkind here, but isn't it funny how many funerals will present a deceased loved one as automatically going to heaven by the minister conducting the service, in fear of offending the people present, they get a free pass to go to heaven? Is not the minister being dishonest here? Is this not a greater unkindness in withholding the truth? Yet, it was known among family and friends that the deceased person in their life time had no time for God, or Church, or anything that had to do with the Bible. The person wanted nothing whatsoever to do with Christianity. To him or her they were all a bunch of hypocrites. Such a person gave no sign or evidence of ever being "born again." Instead, the person mocked God, and became a self-appointed judge over God. In a sense, the deceased person in their life time were their own little god, he or she got to decide what was right or what was wrong for them. So here the deceased person in their life time spent so much time judging God, that they never gave thought to the fact that the One they were judging was going to be the Judge of all judges he or she was going to face!

My friend, there are no exceptions here. "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." There are no free passes to heaven, none! The price for man's redemption came at such a great cost in God the Father sending His only begotten Son to die for our sins on the Cross. "For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:23, NKJV). Dear reader, do you feel the burden of your sin weighing you down? Do you sense your hopeless, lost condition before the Lord? Well, there's hope in Christ to those who repent of their sin and place their faith in the work of redemption that the Lord Jesus Christ accomplished on the Cross for you. There may not be a free pass to heaven, but the pass to heaven has been paid for at such a great infinite cost, through the precious blood of Christ that was shed for sinners. Oh trust in Him today, while there's still time.

DOES DEUTERONOMY 22:28-29 TEACH THAT GOD APPROVES OF RAPE, AND EXPECTS THE RAPE VICTIM TO MARRY THE RAPIST?

An atheist on Youtube argued and misquoted Deuteronomy 22:28-29 as meaning that God does not punish the rapist, but in a sense approves of the rape by having the victim marry the rapist. He wrote:

"And God's remedy for rape is to punish the rapist by making him marry the woman he rapes if she is unmarried, but woe unto the man who rapes a married woman, as he has now committed a much worse offense as he has devalued the husband's property.
END RESULT: The bible is AWFUL.
Here is the english text of Deuteronomy 22 ;28-29
If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and rapes her and they are discovered, 29 he shall pay her father fifty shekels[a] of silver. He must marry the young woman, for he has violated her. He can never divorce her as long as he lives."

First, What "english text of Deuteronomy 22:28-29" are you quoting from?

Second, Here is one English translation of Deuteronomy 22:28 that says, "If a man happens to meet a virgin who is not pledged to be married and "rapes her" and they are discovered," (NIV). The word "rape" is not a good translation here.The KJV says "lay hold on her," and the NASB, ESV states, "seizes her," No doubt, the phrases from these other translations appear to be strong as well, but they do not say rape. However, three points can be drawn from the passage in question:

(1.) In light of the context of the other examples given in Deuteronomy 22, if it were in fact rape, she would have "cried out," like the woman in verses 23-24, 27 did. The truth is, she did not. There is no indication presented in verses 28-29 of the woman being in any kind of distress.

(2.) Instead, we read these words, "they are discovered." This indicates the woman had consented. Now whether they were caught having sex, or they both confessed their sin of sexual intercourse, or was found to be pregnant. Whatever the case be, their sex affair was found out.

(3.) Hence, according to verse 29 the man is required to pay a fee to the girl's father, and if the father gives his daughter to him to marry, he cannot divorce her for the rest of his days. This may not sound like punishment, but if the father gives his daughter to him to marry, he is stuck with her for the rest of his life. So his careless fling with this woman would be costly. Especially if he doesn't want to marry her. The fact is, in ancient times a woman's virginity was highly prized. If a young woman lost her virginity, even on the account of rape, it would be very difficult for her to find a man to marry her. Without a husband to care for her, it would be very difficult for her to earn a living. Usually such women would either prostitute themselves or sell themselves as slaves in order to survive. 

Third, Deuteronomy 22:25 reads as follows: "But if in the field the man finds the girl who is engaged, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lies with her shall die." (NASB). Now the example in verse 25 is rape. For we read the phrase "forces her" which indicates an actual rape took place. Verse 27 states when she was in the field where the man raped her, there was no one around to save her, when she cried out for help. Again, verse 25 states that the rapist is to be put to death. Here we see the crime of rape is punishable by death.

These verses completely refutes the atheist and skeptic's accusation that the Bible is immoral in allowing the rapist to get away with the crime, and instead is required to marry the victim as a form of punishment as noted in Deuteronomy 22:28-29. The "Context" is the key here in understanding the passage in question. This is something atheists need to understand before making such foolish assumptions and accusations about the Bible they don't have a clue about.

Commentator John Gill gives this insight on the passage in question, Deuteronomy 22:28. He writes:

"If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed,.... That is, meets with one in a field, which is not espoused to a man; and the man is supposed to be an unmarried man, as appears by what follows: and lay hold on her, and lie with her, she yielding to it, and so is not expressive of a rape, as Deuteronomy 22:25 where a different word from this is there used; which signifies taking strong hold of her, and ravishing her by force; yet this, though owing to his first violent seizure of her, and so different from what was obtained by enticing words, professions of love, and promises of marriage, and the like, as in Exodus 22:16 but not without her consent: and they be found; in the field together, and in the fact; or however there are witnesses of it, or they themselves have confessed, it, and perhaps betrayed by her pregnancy." (see Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible).

THREE ATTITUDES A CHRISTIAN SHOULD AVOID

The problem I see with the church and with many fellow Christians in general today is indifference to their own faith. I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that. Personally, I think there are three primary reasons why a lot of Christians will not make a stand for Christ and the principles we hold to is because such believers are too much like the world.

1. The Compromising Christian: Their reasoning is we need to be like the world in order to win unbelievers out of the world. Such misguided believers misinterpret Paul's words: “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some." (1 Cor. 9:22, NASB). The question this raises is what difference does Christ make then in a sinner's life? If we are to behave like those in the world, then how can we show those in the world the difference Christ has made in our lives? The fact is Paul became "all things" whether a Jew, Gentile, Roman, slave, or free in order to win them to Christ. By no means does this imply he practiced the various corruptions and sins in order to be like a pagan, Roman, or any other person who he was trying to win to Christ. He could behave according to the custom and behavior expected of a Roman citizen, or as a Jewish citizen for that matter without adopting their questionable, sinful practices. However, the saint is called to be like Christ. Paul puts it this way, and instructs us to: "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Rom. 13:14, NASB).

2. The Christian who will not submit to the Cost: There are those who call themselves Christians, who are not willing to suffer the cost of being associated with Christ or fellow saints. Such Christians love it when things are going great, but quickly bail at the first sign of persecution. They want to follow Christ on their terms, not God's. Paul knew this all too well, for one of his fellow workers, “Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica” (2 Tim. 4:10, NASB). Demas, did not want to share in the Apostle Paul’s suffering and persecution, let alone share in the fellowship of Christ's sufferings. He was too much a companion of this world to be a true companion to the Apostle. Of such, James writes: “You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4, NASB). How can any Christian truly be at peace and friends with a world that has the blood of Christ on their hands? The Apostle John’s words are clear: “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15, NASB). So what should our attitude be to the world? Again, Paul writes: “And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form of this world is passing away.” (1 Cor. 7:31, NKJV). The fact is, to the child of God, this present world is not their home. We are travelers not settlers here in this world. To the believer the world has been crucified to him/her, and the believer to the world (see Gal. 6:14; 2:20). 

3. The Condemning Christian: This type of Christian is highly critical of both Christians and non-Christians. The moment he learns a particular Christian or unbeliever falls short of the condemning Christian's unreasonable expectations and standards, he or she like the Pharisee of old will harshly judge and condemn that person. First, to the fellow saint, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 8:1, NASB). If Christ does not condemn our brother or sister in Christ for their faults, neither should we. Second, The Lord Jesus was not an isolationist, for He often sat and ate with sinners. The Lord Jesus' attitude towards the condemning was "I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32, NASB). Self righteousness is not a virtue, Christ's righteousness is! Let us adopt His righteous attitude, and stop condemning our fellow brother in the Lord.

As believers in Christ, let's avoid being compromising, Christ denying, condemning Christians. Let's glorify Christ by lip, by love, and by our life!

WHAT CONTROLS US: FEAR OR LOVE?

"There is NO fear in LOVE; but perfect love casts out FEAR, because fear involves torment. But he[she] who fears has NOT been made perfect [mature] in love" (1 John 4:18, NKJV).

Here below is a recent quote I came across on a friend's Face page. It reads as follows:

"Once you've been hurt, you're so scared to get attached again, you have a fear that every person is going to break your heart." --Instagram-THEGOODQUOTE

Now I know this quote is particularly talking about someone who just had their heart broken by someone. So it is mostly dealing more with how the hurt person "feels" at that particular moment as opposed to how their outlook will change in time, when they "heal" emotionally.

So it's quite normal to feel that way for the moment, However, to those who hold on to such hurt and fear, there is something more to fear, and that is the FEAR of assuming "every person is going to break your heart." The moment you place yourself in bondage to such fear, you stop really living life as God intended you to. As our text for today says: "There is NO fear in LOVE; but perfect love casts out FEAR, because fear involves torment. But he[she] who fears has NOT been made perfect [mature] in love" (1 John 4:18, NKJV). So don't buy into the lie of this quote, for the moment you do, you lose the purpose in truly loving life and living it to the fullest as the Lord would have you to do!

As believers in Christ, we are not only to live life as God called us to, but we are given a life, a life that is more abundant in Christ. "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10, ESV). So never let "the thief" of FEAR rob you of the joy of living life more abundantly in Christ! So what controls your life, fear or love?

U. S. Supreme Courts Decision: Who has the Right to Define Human affairs?

Here below is a response I received recently on Facebook from a friend who disagreed with a quote I posted from Franklin Graham on the U. S. Supreme Courts decision in favor of same-sex marriage in all fifty States of the United States. My answer follows her response. 

"You assume everyone believes in the Bible. we don't, and you don't have the right to tell us it is the defining factor in human affairs. You are pushing your religious beliefs and hurting others doing it. How would you like it if I said God was your imaginary superhero? That's basically what you are saying about others beliefs, and its wrong." --Facebook friend.

My friend, I never made the assumption that everyone believes in the Bible. I know there are people who do not believe the Bible is true, but that does not make it any less true. Then to reinforce your point, you said: "we don't, and you don't have the right to tell us it is the defining factor in human affairs." First, so I don't have the right, you say? Who said anything about my rights? If you want to talk about rights, I have just as much right to share the view I hold to as you do in sharing your view. The fact is, it is not about either of our rights, but it is all about what God deems right. He is our Creator, and His right trumps our rights, because He is perfect, we are not. God has every right to define human affairs above the U. S. Supreme Court, governments, or any man made system that defies His Truth. Now since we have free will, you can choose to accept that or reject that. Second, I have the Authority of God on this issue, whereas you only have the authority of man. Third, since the Franklin Graham quote and all the responses in this thread is on MY Face page, I have every right to post subjects and respond to comments according to my worldview without the threat of friends trying to censor what I can and cannot say. I don’t do that to you, neither should you do that to me. 

Next, you stated: “You are pushing your religious beliefs and hurting others doing it.” Again, you are trying to censor what I can and cannot say on my own page. If I am sharing my faith in this thread, it is for two reasons. First, it has to do with the nature and subject of the original post by Franklin Graham. Second, some of the people who responded on this thread brought up the issue about my faith. They are all welcome to agree or disagree with my posts and responses, just as you are free to do, Rowena. I will not censor people’s point of view as long as they keep it respectful and tasteful. Now as for forcing and hurting others on the nature of this issue. The forcing part is simply not true, you know that. As for hurting others, well, I know hearing the truth is not always easy to hear, let alone accepting it. I am aware of that. The fact is I am hurting others much more by not being honest and truthful with them in regards to the same-sex marriage issue. Hence, the primary reason why I posted Franklin Graham’s quote in the first place. As a Christian, I am called to declare the truth in all boldness, not to sit by and remain silent, when I should speak up. I well know this is not popular to do in today’s society, yet, it is necessary, if I truly love my neighbor.

 Lastly, you wrote: “How would you like it if I said God was your imaginary superhero? That’s basically what you are saying about other’s beliefs and its wrong.”  I had plenty of atheists tell me my God is nothing more than a cosmic Santa Claus or the figment of my imagination. So it does not surprise me when people say that about our Creator and God. Now as for me saying that about other people’s beliefs? Well, that depends on how valid a person’s belief is. It is not wrong to say if it is true. Post modernism’s view on truth is that no one truth claim is more valid than another truth. That simply is not true. If a belief we hold to is not true, then it is false. It is NOT a valid truth claim in equal standing with other belief systems that are true. You can argue that my God is fake and I can argue that your god or goddesses are fake, but only one of us is right. And the evidence will bear which. This may sound arrogant, but all other religions of the world fail in comparison to Christianity, and their gods are non- existent creations of their own imaginations or demons masquerading as a god. Christianity is the only religion that has all of life’s answers and has withstood the test of time. Speaking the truth on an issue is not wrong as you claim.

COMPASSION FOR LIFE'S COMPLICATIONS

(MY UNFORGETTABLE DIALOGUE WITH A LESBIAN WOMAN)

“Weep with those who weep” 

(Romans 12:15).

I remember a number of years ago, back in my non-Christian days, I used to like frequenting dance clubs and bars with live music playing. I was barely in my 20s then, when one night I entered one particular dance club. After a few dances I went to the bar for a drink. There, I engaged in a conversation with three lovely women. Not sure how the discussion came up about homosexuality, but one of the ladies said she was a lesbian. So I asked an honest question, "How did you become a lesbian?" Being a few years older than me, with more life experience, she smiled and said to me with deep emotion: "I had lost both my breasts due to cancer a few years ago." Her face now wet with tears, she continued, "Now tell me, what good looking guy like you is going to want a woman who does not have breasts?" I responded, "But you have breasts!" "No! These are not real breasts. They are artificial ones." She retorted. Stunned, I just stared at her. I was speechless. What could I possibly say to bring comfort to her? Finally, I said, "I really don't know what to say? I can see you are in a lot of pain about this issue. Is it okay, if I give you a hug? You look like you could use a hug about now." At first, she said, "I don't need your sympathy, I just want you to understand my reason for becoming a lesbian. I have had many men reject me, because I have no breasts." With a tear in my eye, I then concluded with these words, "Look, I just want you to know you are no less a woman in my eyes. I know breasts are a physical sign of a woman's femininity. But breasts don't make the woman, it is the woman who makes her breasts. Breasts can't nurture without the woman behind the breasts. Your breasts may be gone, but not the woman who can still nurture. I know I may not understand what you went through, nor what you are still going through. However, I don't think it's wrong for me to still sympathize with the pain you are going through." With that, I gave her a heartfelt hug. Wiping tears from her eyes, she smiled, and said, "Hey, for a guy who disagrees with homosexuality, you are a pretty awesome guy in my books. Thanks for listening to me without a judgmental attitude." With that said, we smiled at each other, then she and her friends faded into the crowd, while dance music pulsated, and strobbing lights flickered, smoke filled the air, and people laughed and glasses clinked in the background, I was deep in thought, as I slowly walked away from the scene, still feeling a faint trace of that woman's pain lingering in the air.

As a young man then, I realized life wasn't so easy to understand, it can be quite complicated. at times. I really had no words that would comfort her or make a difference, but if there was any difference this incident made, it taught me there are no easy pat answers, when life gets complicated. Sometimes the best thing we can do is just listen to the pain of others with our hearts.

Many years have passed since then. Even as a Christian now, I still don't have an easy answer when life gets difficult, however, I do know a loving Saviour who also LOVES embracing breastless lesbian women, much like the one who I hugged so many years earlier. Even now as I write this, it is hard holding back the tears, as I wonder where this dear woman is and how she is doing? May the Lord Jesus Christ find her, love her, and draw her to Himself. It is for such women, I deeply feel for, that renews my mission, passion, and purpose to never compromise the truth, nor the truth of the Gospel, when such precious people need to hear it most. Truth may not be popular, and it may hurt to hear it sometimes, just like some medicines may taste awful, but in the end, it is the most compassionate and loving thing to do for our neighbor. Now whether they accept or reject the truth, only they can decide that. However, to withold the truth from my homosexual neighbor is not loving them.