What do you think of the above statement? Do you believe it? If not, try going into a random group at work or school and say one of the following statements:
· “Some good people will sadly go to hell”.
· “The husband should be the head of a family”
· Homosexuality is a sexual sin and perversion”
I promise you after that you can sit back and watch the fireworks take off! You’ll hear lots of things hurled your direction like: intolerant, bigot, uneducated, arrogant etc..(and those are the NICE onesJ!!!) And some of the judgments will probably also come from Christians too! ** In increasing numbers, believers are abandoning the truths that have historically always been embraced by people of their faith!
This study is meant to challenge you. It is going to be very direct and very straightforward. It will probably bother some of you. It will spark you to thinking. It might lead to some friendly debates. All of these things are cool! They are what I want from this study. I want you to know EXACTLY what you think about certain key items such as those listed above. As Christians in this world, if we DO choose to stand up, we need to know not only WHAT we believe, but also WHY we believe it!
No society or culture should continually condone what God has condemned and have its’ Christians stand by and say nothing! There comes a time when we have to take a stand against evil!!
We have talked about the rise of MORAL RELATIVISM in today’s world. And I think it is our greatest danger, because it tricks even the strongest of Christians into believing their point of view. So I am going to ask you all a question now. Do you believe there is an absolute truth that applies to all people at all times regardless of their faith or lack of faith??? Why or why not?
In a recent survey that same question was asked. In the group polling non-Christians, 91% of the people said that truth is ALWAYS relative to the individual involved. In this same groups of teens, only 6% believed in any sort of absolute truth.
Surely this would drastically differ in Christians right?!?!? Surely the Christians would unanimously vote the other way yes?!?!?! Well see for yourself: 68 percent of Christian adults and 91% of Christian teenagers rejected the concept of absolute truth!!!!!! Satan is winning folks! We have bought into the concept of relative truth slowly and surely! We have found ourselves mingling with the “if it feels good do it” philosophy of the world! No longer do Christians confidently say things like “Jesus in the only way to heaven”, “America is a Christian nation” or even “abortion is murder”!! We are in trouble if YOUR generation doesn’t put a stop to this!!! Someone has to stand up!
Let me list 3 major ramifications that will come about if we continue down this path:
1- Relativism encourages immorality- It is true. It may start off small and seemingly harmless but I promise it will grow like a snowball going downhill! For example, if there are NO absolutes, and a gay sexual lifestyle is ok, then what keeps society from taking the next step to saying “Why shouldn’t ALL sexual activity be permitted??? (sex with children, with animals, married couple sharing etc…) As far-fetched as it may sound to you…it is not far from the truth my friends!! And it is evident in America. Our moral standards have digressed to the point where anything, I mean anything is permissible! Without SOME absolutes, TERRIBLE things will be allowed to prosper!
2- Relativism promotes persecution- Anyone who claims that Jesus is the ONLY way, will be accused of engaging in “hate speech”! AND THAT IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF OUR MISSION! Or it should be. We are NO BETTER than anyone; we just have a God who was willing to wipe our screw-ups away! Just listen to what is happening in Sweden right now! In 2002 they passed a draft bill that would make all ministers who labeled homosexuality as “immoral” subject to prison terms of up to 4 years!!!!!! And if we don’t step up…..that kind of persecution surely cannot be that far behind in our homeland! It has already started: In 1995 a Texas judge mandated that any student who dared to mention the name of Christ in a graduation prayer would be sentenced to 6 months in jail!
3- Relativism discourages evangelism- Our main job on earth is to spread God’s word. We know that. But, when we live in a society that tells us we are “wrong”, “bigots”, “close-minded” or “hateful”, it becomes that much harder to do our job! And not only that, but when we live in a society where students are killed for saying they believe in Christ and where people can be arrested for their faith….how many of us will have the backbone to stand up? In such a world…evangelism is killed!
My biggest concern and reason for this study is the growing number of professed CHRISTIANS who are wavering in their convictions and beliefs. In other words, I am tired of WIMPY CHRISTIANS (and I include myself in that classification)!!! And these folks are all around us. Here are just a few examples:
· A Christian mother is invited to offer a prayer at a PTA meeting and she ends it saying “In ‘his’ name” instead of “In Jesus’ name”.
· A Christian on the school board caves in to pressure to reject a science textbook that mentions creationism AS WELL as evolution, saying “Yes it is what I believe in, but we must respect the separation of church and state”.
And the lists cold go on and on. Aren’t we all guilty of it in some way? Haven’t we all “watered down” something in conversation at one point not to offend others? Christians are increasingly hiding or even putting out their lights to blend in with the darkness of the world!
So in the weeks to follow we are gong to examine several of the most “politically incorrect (ughhh…I hate that phrase J) truths that Christians need to reclaim in order to once again become the “salt of the earth” Jesus wanted. These topics are all denounced everywhere across your country. And those who dare to proclaim them will be subjected to social, academic and even legal persecution. Are you ready? I am!
Here is what we will study:
· “God sends good people to hell”- No one wants to say that. By doing so, myself, I would condemn a best friend, cousin and grandmother-in-law (all incredible moral people). But Hell is a reality we must believe in!
· “Homosexuality is a perversion”- Are people born with it? Can a Christian still be gay? It is an issue that is tough to deal with but right in our faces. What does God say?
· “Husbands should be the leaders of a family”- This does not mean wives are relegated to the stone ages. BUT, there are Biblical concepts about this…what does it REALLY say?
· “God is responsible ultimately for suffering”- this is one of the hardest questions you’ll ever be asked! Why does a loving God allow so much pain? We will look at why he is willing to take ultimate responsibility for everything that happens in his universe.
I believe there is an absolute truth. I believe it lies in the word of God. I believe it universal and that it applies to all people. I believe that if we look for it, it is ALWAYS revealed in time! God will show himself to the world! And I believe that absolute truth is exclusive. There really is only ONE right!
And through this all we will keep our motives based in love. We may argue, we may disagree but we will love. I want us all to walk away knowing how we as Christians can stay on the offensive without BEING offensive!
If you are ready to stand up and compassionately but forcefully and intelligently proclaim “This is what I believe and why”…….I’ll see you in the coming weeks!