Forgery

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Wednesday, April 27, 2016

“No one can serve two masters.

Matthew 6:24a^(NLT)

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The following is a rather odd quote from 1982; it isn’t odd in word or thought – just that I’m quoting my own words from that time:

“Today we live in an extremely complicated and complex society with lightning fast computers, space travel and lifestyles.  It seems that in all the hurry-up and confusion of our modern existence, some Christians tend to compromise on what is sinful, passing off what used to be called sin as acceptable social behavior.” 

I wrote those words 34 years ago as a young pastor; true words then, and no less accurate today.

An issue that is constantly in the news media today, and therefore, agonizingly highlights the timeless reality of human compromise of core principles of the Christian faith, is LGBTQ behavior; in particular, same-sex marriage.

For the denomination I serve (United Methodist), this past Saturday (April 23, 2016) in Charlotte, NC, a door was opened in this ongoing conflict which will be impossible to ignore, much less close.  Two men exchanged wedding vows and were legally recognized by the state as married.  Those officiating at the ceremony were a retired bishop and the current pastor, both ordained in the UMC. 

What was door-opening about this ceremony is that it was held inside the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Charlotte.  The actions (both using a denominationally-owned building, and officiating the ceremony by UMC clergy) are clearly in violation of the denomination’s rules, The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church.

A larger, and for me more disturbing reality, is that this isn’t the first time for the bishop, Melvin Talbert.  This wasn’t his first same-sex marriage rodeo, or as I call it, denominational and ordinational disobedience. 

Here are more 34 year old words from my note file:

“…some Christians have lost the Spirit-guided ability to distinguish between what is and isn’t sin.  They see things as grey – not black and white.  However, the Bible says we cannot serve two masters.”

Marriage between two persons of the same sex is counterfeit.  Just like forged currency is supposed to trick you into thinking you possess the real thing, two men or women standing before a preacher at a church chancel does not result in marriage in any sense of the Biblical meaning; it is merely an appearance of the real thing.

Whatever the state does or doesn’t do in recognizing the “marriage forgery” of same-sex unions – and whatever the UMC legal entities do or don’t do concerning appropriate consequences for the bishop and pastor who have violated their sacred vows of ordination, my prayer is that Christ is lifted up for the whole world to see.  Because in that witness is contained either condemnation (for those who choose to “ordain a forgery”) or a witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is, according to Paul^{(Romans 1:16)} the power of God unto salvation. 

In all, may all men be brought low, and Christ’s name be praised.

For You Today

Homosexuality isn’t the only failure to honor God in our culture today.

You chew on that as you hit the Rocky Road today…and have a blessed day!

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[1] Title Image:   By ** RCB **, via Wikimedia Commons

Choosing; and Living with the Choices

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Monday, February 9, 2015

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.   2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT)

I did it again!  I got baited into one of those ‘go nowhere’ conversations with a troll about same-gender relationships. 

I consider it important to stay informed about the controversial tug-of-war in the United Methodist Church concerning same-gender relationships.  Without coming down on either side for the moment, this issue has been dividing the United Methodist Church for decades.  I got drawn into the discussion online because I read several clergy sites to monitor the discussion surrounding new developments. 

I actually despise controversy, but I’m studying the battle lines which have been drawn in order to preach/teach on it in our church ^{(coming soon!)}; sometimes the vitriolic acidity of the conversation helps my blood boil!

The conversation went something like:

She:  We need to follow the Gospels, and not someone like Paul.

Me:  Pardon me?

She:  Paul hated women.

Me:  Paul wrote a huge portion of the New Testament.  Paul wrote to Timothy that ALL Scripture is inspired by God.  I think I would re-think that part about throwing out directions to a pastor about pastoral responsibilities, written by God’s inspiration.

She:  Paul didn’t write the Gospels.  That’s all we should be following.

Me:  Uhhhh……What?

I don’t know what school taught this pastor to “pick and choose” verses of Scripture, rather than apply the whole counsel of God to her ministry.  But she obviously brought her prejudice to the Scripture, rather than allowing the Scripture to correct her prejudice.  She opted for what she knew and felt rather than what God said.

And that is the point.  We all have many choices facing us every day.  Some are of the “what do I have for breakfast” variety; some much more weighty – decisions about spiritual life and death, family, sex, community and vocation.

It has been said that all of life is an illustration of Scripture’s wisdom, and all of Scripture illustrates and should inform life.  That’s not a circular argument; it’s perspective.  And that perspective is gained when we accept the truth of God’s statement through the apostle Paul, that ALL Scripture is inspired.

And IF we accept that, then the only sane pathway through life’s decisions is to make them in light of Scripture and eternity.

In other words, if you believe the Bible, you will behave according to the Bible’s standards.  It’s called integrity…being whole…saying what we really mean, meaning what we really say.  And being at peace inside, and with others, whatever comes –  because the outcome is truth.

Poet James Russell Lowell wrote about being satisfied with truth, no matter what everyone else will believe and do:

Truth forever on the scaffold,

Wrong forever on the throne,

Yet that scaffold sways the future, and,

behind the dim unknown,

Standeth God within the shadow,

keeping watch above his own.

For You Today

You will have choices today.  Whatever choices you make, you will also live-with; so choose wisely.  God is standing by, keeping watch above his own.

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[1] Title image:  See page for author, via Wikimedia Commons