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TRUTH, SEX and the CULTURE

The fear of skeletons in the closet make the conversations that surround adultery and sexual practices off limits for most. For a variety of different reasons many people, especially within the Christian culture, either choose to ignore the dangers of an over-sexualized society or embrace it as normal and necessary.

Culture is culture, for better or for worse, and when the culture is divided among so many rules, regulations, opinions and acceptances the sacrificial lamb ends up being truth. Since the concepts and practices of truth have become relative everything from business to family and even the most intimate places of a person are shielded behind the rights of individual philosophy.

This, in part, is why the culture is what it is. For generations the belief, practice and acceptance of a Biblical world-view used the source material of the Bible. Sadly, as we have embraced alternative facts we have allowed our culture to be re-platformed on other truths with devestating consequences. Our business practices have become more corrupt, politics more divisive, families more divided and intolerance combined with hate have become the new normal.

Unfortunately a Biblical world-view is not enough to maintain the personal integrity of an individual. Even Scripture reveals our greatest hero’s of faith were deeply flawed in keeping their lives consistent with the Word of God. The Bible, and a Biblical world-view, is the GOLD STANDARD for life, blessing, success, fulfillment, joy, purpose, etc…and anything less is fools gold. The challenge remains, from Biblical times to today, every individual must choose to accept God’s best or man’s alternative.

A Biblical world-view never tells the reader you can’t rather it instructs us to incorporate a lifestyle of ‘best practices’  and the consequences of ignoring truth. Likewise the Biblical world-view provides ample evidences, backed by the character of God, of what a life will look like IF we follow the Word of the Lord consistently and practically.

As I am studying truth, and the dangers of lust, I am drawn to a passage from Proverbs (see below). Before Solomon even discusses the dangers of adultery he opens with the wise counsel that comes from Godly parents. Scripture reminds us to honor our parents; but for some their parents refused to live an honorable and Godly life.

So, should you take advice from you parents? Here again Solomon addresses from whom you take your advice: Parents who believe and live in the TRUTH of GOD’S WORD.

It is possible to honor the place and position / authority of your parents without incorporating their misplaced truth when it does not line up with Scripture. However, when your parent(s) have demonstrated a lifestyle of honoring God by living according to His Truth, and they share with you wisdom on any issue, you are best to listen carefully.

The individual that falls into sexual error is one who first ignores the truth that was imparted to them from Godly counsel; as a result of ignoring truth they have lost their foundation and drifted into dangerous waters of error that will eventually destroy everything.

I believe we must have an open and honest conversation about sex and culture but it must begin with an understanding of God’s Truth. Thankfully there are still many people who can attest to living a Godly lifestyle and it’s time we listen so we can pass on God’s Truth to the next generation without fear or shame!

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Grace and Peace – JOSHUA

More Advice About Avoiding Adultery

My son, obey the command of your father, and do not disregard the teachings of your mother. Fasten them on your heart forever.
Hang them around your neck. When you walk around, they will lead you. When you lie down, they will watch over you. When you wake up, they will talk to you because the command is a lamp,
the teachings are a light, and the warnings from discipline are the path of life to keep you from an evil woman and from the smooth talk of a loose woman.

Do not desire her beauty in your heart. Do not let her catch you with her eyes. A prostitute’s price is ⌊only⌋ a loaf of bread, but a married woman hunts for ⌊your⌋ life itself. Can a man carry fire in his lap without burning his clothes?

Can anyone walk on red-hot coals without burning his feet?
So it is with a man who has sex with his neighbor’s wife.
None who touch her will escape punishment.
People do not despise a thief who is hungry when he steals to satisfy his appetite, but when he is caught, he has to repay it seven times. He must give up all the possessions in his house.

Whoever commits adultery with a woman has no sense.
Whoever does this destroys himself. An adulterous man will find disease and dishonor, and his disgrace will not be blotted out,
because jealousy arouses a husband’s fury. The husband will show no mercy when he takes revenge. No amount of money will change his mind. The largest bribe will not satisfy him.

GOD’S WORD Translation. (1995). (Pr 6:20–35). Grand Rapids: Baker Publishing Group.

SACRED OLYMPIANS & VICTORY OVER SELF

medals

Over the many Olympic years the awarding of the bronze, silver and gold medals have been the featured climax at the end of every event. With the best three finalist standing on a podium, of distinction, they are awarded their placement, with a medal. Collectively the world watches as nations flags are raised to the sound of the first place winner’s national anthem. Often the camera will capture the emotions of the athletes, parents and crowd while the apex of achievement is witnessed for a few brief minutes. These are the “magical” moments often remember and celebrated because we recognize the remarkable achievement of the athlete. In that moment, everyone watching shares in the joy, pride and honor of being connected, through the athlete, to their nation. Honestly I find such moments emotionally stirring and think of the sacred Olympians, not of Greek mythology, but Biblical faith who have stood courageous for the King and the Kingdom without the medal, fan-fair or anybody noticing. These are the epic men and women, of faith, who achieved the great accomplishment over self.

While our modern day Olympic athletes are certainly at the top of their sport few will ever experience the sensational achievement the finalists will feel.  And for us, the viewing audience, most will never relate to their experiences. Yet, for the Christian, daily we encounter our personal competitions of endurance, tests of spiritual, physical and mental strength and strains of rivalry against a world that is very much our adversary.  Even though the Olympic games develop the highest levels of competition there is a respect, and sense of fair play, each athlete exhibits while knowing their competition is still their adversary.  While focused on winning the final reward what every athlete wants is to also defeat their competition and leave no room for a comeback or surprise upset. Likewise it is this way with the disciple of Jesus. We have a real adversary and unlike the spirit of the Olympics there is no sense of fairness and respect from him. Routinely Satan will use every trick, trap and unfair challenge to hinder you from completing the race you were destined to run and furthermore see to it that, if he is able, make sure you never experience the podium of victory.

So what guarantees victory for the modern day Olympian or today’s Christian? Again borrowing from the athlete’s journey their commitment to their sport has virtually, over time, consumed them to the point where they are no longer recognizable outside of the chosen path they are on.  In short, there is no longer any remnant of the individual conceit as they are enveloped with that which they are committed to.

By God’s creative design we are all fashioned with individuality and unique personalities that separate us from one another.  Likewise we are created with a great capacity for God; but in our disobedience (sin) to the Creators design and intent our individuality betrays our divine goals by substituting alternatives that, by their nature, keep us from getting at God. Jesus remains the only way to deliver us from sin and therefore, deliverance from ourselves from individuality. How is this accomplished? Certainly there is a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit, in our lives, that enables us to make these necessary changes; but after the Holy Spirit is graciously poured out we must commit, as the Olympian, to present our natural life to God and sacrifice it until we are transformed into a spiritual life by obedience. In short the journey for the disciple is to no longer be seen as ourselves but as His!

While Satan, our adversary, often appeals to the nature of self, God focuses less on the natural and peers directly into the development of our spiritual life. When we live, prepare and compete, committed to His divine training, God’s prescribed order runs right across our natural life. Of course we admire the testimonies of triumph, over great adversity, and most of all we gain great encouragement from athletes that overcame those who told them, they can’t do it! When they heard deflating words they pressed through, all the harder, to succeed. And so it is with God and His disciples. God will not force the task of discipline on us. Like as expert coach He will wait for our commitment to discipline ourselves and then He will give us the tools necessary to overcome and win.
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If we are waiting for God to silence the critics, the well-meaning but misinformed or adversaries then we may find ourselves waiting a long time since He asks us, YOU bring every thought and imagination into captivity…you do it! Of course, this is a difficult challenge and I would not want you to think that in some way I am representing a merciless and uncompassionate God; because He is longsuffering, concerned, full of mercy and grace daily. But do not mistake His tenderness for moral weakness or His mercy for blatant ignoring of our undisciplined manners. When we face the strong challenges of doubt, fear and the desire to quit resist the urge to say, Lord, I suffer from struggling thoughts.’ Stop listening to the oppression of your individuality, and get emancipated by living in the new humanity of Jesus!

“If the Son shall make you free, …” What St. Paul means to convey in Galatians. 2:20 is he is no longer his own though he still has an individual race to run and call to fulfill. When Paul says he has“ been crucified with Christ,” he reminds himself and his readers his natural individuality has been broken and his personality is now merged with Jesus’. As with our current Olympians remember they did not come to their moment of contending, and excellence, by accepting anything other than giving themselves entirely to their sport. So while we may marvel at their achievement remember we are not those who run to gain a fading crown, or temporary medal, but we run so as to be united with Jesus and free indeed: free in essence, free from the inside and free from self. If you insist on contending for a prize then run your race to be identified with Jesus. This race, completed, with place you on the greatest podium of victory imaginable!

“Jesus said, “I tell you most solemnly that anyone who chooses a life of sin is trapped in a dead-end life and is, in fact, a slave. A slave is a transient, who can’t come and go at will. The Son, though, has an established position, the run of the house. So if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through.” (John 8:36 MSG)

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA

STRIVING FOR THE ETERNAL REWARD

download (1)With the winter Olympics underway I must admit I am yet to watch a single minute of any event, a recap of medals won or upcoming competitions. My indifference has less to do with the actual sports, competitors or politics and is attributed more to my overall lack of passion for the Olympics itself. Nevertheless it is not lost on me there are many people who are fully enveloped in every result, the athletes stories and national pride that comes with winning a medal. Last night, as I was watching the news, a commercial advertized the actual length of the 2014 Winter Olympics which surprised me since I was under the impression the winter games were shorter in comparison to the summer games. As I thought on the length of the games, and the many men and women striving for honor, it caused me to contemplate on past Olympics and the people who will spend a lifetime determined to win a natural reward. But for all of the hours spent, sacrifices made, coaching and training, for a temporary prize, what can be said about the individual that contends for an eternal reward?

Being a Roman citizen St. Paul was very familiar with the influence the Olympic games, and marathons, had on the Greco-Roman culture. Often he wrote the early church using the games as a relatable place for the Christian to connect the ordinary of life with their faith. But before St. Paul we read of other remarkable Biblical people who understood the reality of God and striving for an eternal goal and not a natural prize. Abraham, the father of our faith, expressed the passion of a true sacred Olympian when he said, My goal is God Himself … At any cost, dear Lord, by any road. (Loose paraphrase)

When you stop to consider the early life of Abraham we know very little expect what we may “read between the lines.” The true character of Abraham is later revealed through his journey. Though Abraham experienced a series of personal failures, and setbacks, his lasting testimony is one of absolute faith, prayer and obedience to God’s coaching and securing the eternal goal. Jesus also said Come, let go and trust in God in this matter. In the spirit of true Hebraic holism, and divine instruction, Jesus’ words beckon the discipline to a life of obedience, faith and endurance. This was the life Abraham was committed to which forever set his natural focus on the eternal goal of the King and the Kingdom.

Most people often talk about running the race for the “real God” without considering the rigorous training and endurance that comes with such a pursuit. Until you are face to face with Him, like Abraham on Mt. Moriah or Moses at Sinai, many will talk about the promises of God without placing their full obedience in understanding the nature of God. As most of the world watches the winter games at Sochi I wonder how many Christians will actually view their own journey, for Jesus, with the same intense training these dedicated athletes commit to three hundred and sixty-five times a year and over a lifetime?
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Oswald Chambers, a man who lived the dedicated and committed life, challenges us today with his words, “All the promises of God in Him are yes, and in Him Amen.’ The “yes” must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say “Amen” to promise, then that promise is ours.” As you watch the 2014 Olympic games, and cheer for your favorite athletes, consider what event you are called to prepare for and what race you are being asked to run. Once you contemplate your place in the divine narrative of Jesus’ story then perhaps you will be challenged, motivated and encouraged to train like never before, believe as never before and remain committed until you gain the eternal reward of Him, regardless if you never possess earthly medals or stand on a podium of global fame.

Grace and Peace

JOSHUA