Pro Choice
No... I am not pro-choice, not in the way the term has been utilized. As a matter of fact, I'm not "pro" anything. I believe in the existence of choice as choice exists.
Choice...it Does Exist!
If you believe in the infallacy of the Word then you know how it all began. The story of Adam and Eve begins in the Garden of Eden and ends with their expulsion. How easy would it have been for the Creator of the world to "make" Adam/Eve choose the right way. How easy would it have been for the Lord to have never placed the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden.God, the Father, Maker of heaven and earth decided in His wisdom that it was good to establish the freedom to choose. The choice to choose life with Him or on our own accord.
Yet many Christians ignore the fundamental truth and existence to choice, but champion various "moral" causes such as abortion, homosexuality, pornography in the hopes of "purifying" society by legislating the behavior and actions of others.To them, this is evangelism. IF moralistic legislation can preserve anything on this God forsaken earth, then the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is no longer good news.
Pharisee Complex
If a holy and righteous God allowed the mere existence of choice; to sin or not to sin, who is anyone to impose "morality" on anyone else? Are we not called to minister to those who share that burden and right of choice as it is so given of the Father? Not only is it arrogant and high-mindedness, it is disobedience in the most direct form to the call of Christ. Too many, spend time championing for moral causes than ministering, evangelizing, as commanded by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Many are fooled by their error in understanding, being active against abortion and other issues is "right" because abortion wrong. When in truth, such affiliations display the behavior and beliefs of the Pharisees in Christ's time..whose actions and beliefs he strongly condemned.
So many Christians proudly espouse John 3:16 word-for-word, by memory alone. It is these same Christians who ignore the existence of free will, and the true calling of the Gospel, fail to acknowledge the very NEXT verse: John 3:17
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
As evidenced by His interaction with Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well and the thief crucified next to Him, Christ's goal was to share the Gospel, the good news that was given to Him to carry out and bear for ALL people. While Christ did not condemn the adulteresses and thieves, He did condemn the Pharisees who were hypocritical in every form, because of the unbelief they had in their heart. John 3:18
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Let those who believe that "evangelism" is legislated morality be warned... they preach a gospel that contradicts the clear purpose of God's plan of salvation for mankind. Again, Christ's disgust was not towards those who cheated on their spouses, and lived promiscuously or even those lusted and stole another's possession. No, His harshest words were preserved for those who reveled in self-righteousness and in the condemnation of others.
Truth and Consequences
The freedom of will is limited by the consequences of our choices. Free will is our form of accountability to God...that's the beauty of free will, while we are free to choose, our choices will be evident by the consequences of it. Such is the law and nature of free will. While some choose to oppress, Believers choose to liberate, by the Word and Gospel of God...."For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son"...without condemnation, just as the King of kings did unto everyone who would believe on Him.
Note from Author:
This post has been updated as of May 22, 2010 for further clarification and editing. Comments listed prior to this date may not reflect any quoted statements previously found in this post.
Choice...it Does Exist!
If you believe in the infallacy of the Word then you know how it all began. The story of Adam and Eve begins in the Garden of Eden and ends with their expulsion. How easy would it have been for the Creator of the world to "make" Adam/Eve choose the right way. How easy would it have been for the Lord to have never placed the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the garden.God, the Father, Maker of heaven and earth decided in His wisdom that it was good to establish the freedom to choose. The choice to choose life with Him or on our own accord.
Yet many Christians ignore the fundamental truth and existence to choice, but champion various "moral" causes such as abortion, homosexuality, pornography in the hopes of "purifying" society by legislating the behavior and actions of others.To them, this is evangelism. IF moralistic legislation can preserve anything on this God forsaken earth, then the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Nazareth is no longer good news.
Pharisee Complex
If a holy and righteous God allowed the mere existence of choice; to sin or not to sin, who is anyone to impose "morality" on anyone else? Are we not called to minister to those who share that burden and right of choice as it is so given of the Father? Not only is it arrogant and high-mindedness, it is disobedience in the most direct form to the call of Christ. Too many, spend time championing for moral causes than ministering, evangelizing, as commanded by Jesus Christ of Nazareth. Many are fooled by their error in understanding, being active against abortion and other issues is "right" because abortion wrong. When in truth, such affiliations display the behavior and beliefs of the Pharisees in Christ's time..whose actions and beliefs he strongly condemned.
So many Christians proudly espouse John 3:16 word-for-word, by memory alone. It is these same Christians who ignore the existence of free will, and the true calling of the Gospel, fail to acknowledge the very NEXT verse: John 3:17
"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
As evidenced by His interaction with Mary Magdalene, the woman at the well and the thief crucified next to Him, Christ's goal was to share the Gospel, the good news that was given to Him to carry out and bear for ALL people. While Christ did not condemn the adulteresses and thieves, He did condemn the Pharisees who were hypocritical in every form, because of the unbelief they had in their heart. John 3:18
"He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Let those who believe that "evangelism" is legislated morality be warned... they preach a gospel that contradicts the clear purpose of God's plan of salvation for mankind. Again, Christ's disgust was not towards those who cheated on their spouses, and lived promiscuously or even those lusted and stole another's possession. No, His harshest words were preserved for those who reveled in self-righteousness and in the condemnation of others.
Truth and Consequences
The freedom of will is limited by the consequences of our choices. Free will is our form of accountability to God...that's the beauty of free will, while we are free to choose, our choices will be evident by the consequences of it. Such is the law and nature of free will. While some choose to oppress, Believers choose to liberate, by the Word and Gospel of God...."For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son"...without condemnation, just as the King of kings did unto everyone who would believe on Him.
Note from Author:
This post has been updated as of May 22, 2010 for further clarification and editing. Comments listed prior to this date may not reflect any quoted statements previously found in this post.
Hello, I really enjoyed reading your post and I understand what you are saying. I also am not an advocate of activism and or debate on what is morally right or wrong. And yes God has given us all freewills to make choices in our lives, and whether bad or good there are consequence to every choice that we make, and that is between God and ourselves. One day though there will be many who will find themselves in the hands of an angry God because of unrepented sinful choices that they have made for their lives. I believe that it is our duty as disciples of Jesus to go forth in His love and Grace and offer hope and speak to others in Love and in Truth. Keep yourselves in the love of God; looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh(Jude 21-23). I had to do just that with my two teenage children, because out of my love for them I was not willing to surrender them to the enemy. Yes, they were making their own choices and they were destructive, and yes they have freewills but i was determined to pull them from the fires of hell. Satan only comes to kill, steal and destroy and i made sure to remind them of that. But i did it in Truth and in Love and in teaching them the fear of God and telling them about the finished work of the cross and the grace of Jesus(Not forcing but teaching). God is the one who set the standards of morality from the beginning. And you will find His moral standards throughout His Word. Even though i am not an activist to try and force my views/beliefs upon others I cannot in good conscience be a part of voting anyone into the presidency that is for Partial birth abortion or even just abortion. And i will have to admit that i do have a problem with those who call themselves christians who will vote to place a man into office who's morals go against the morals that God has set forth for man. And I also do not believe that God has forsaken this earth(As long as He is here in Spirit within His believers then He is still in the earth. When we are gone(His Body/His believers) then yes the earth will be forsaken by Him. Also satan is ONLY prince(Eph. 2:2). Kings reign OVER princes and God is King over the earth (Ps.24:1). Satan can do nothing in this earth without God allowing it. Even though your post may seem somewhat controversial to others. I do understand what you are saying and i hope that you can understand what i am saying. May God bless you always and keep you in His care.
ReplyDeleteTamela,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I posted this comment because I wanted to expound a bit more of the points in my post for the sake of clarity. I will be working on that comment and will post it when its done.
Thanks again...
Tamela,
ReplyDeleteOnce again I thank you for commenting. Normally I wouldn’t publish a comment that may start a “debate” however, I decided to respond to your comment because I wanted to expound on my point of the existence of choice.
I t can very easy to get away from the “big picture” when the “pieces” of the big picture are taken out of context. It is in this light, many fall into the trap of “straining at a gnat and swallow a camel” instead Matthew 23:24
In stating that, my point in my post is a simple one. It is not about politics, morals or even a political candidate; it’s about the existence of choice as allowed by God and the consequences of it by we which we DO (physically) live in a condemned/forsaken earth. Let’s not forget the story of how it all began, which resulted in the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ of Nazareth for the remissions of sins, by which we, as Believers are commissioned, not to offer hope, but to proclaim it.
If we put all the pieces together; the pieces being:
The existence of free will or choice
The consequences (good and bad) of choice.
The fall of man
Satan as prince of the earth
The Sacrifice of Christ
And then add those pieces with its consequence:
The decision to rebel against God resulted in the fall of man.
The fall of man resulted in a condemned earth where Satan was allowed to free access to.
The whole process implemented the Salvation of man in which Christ is our atonement for sin.
As Believers by Faith in Christ Jesus, we are commissioned to proclaim the hope of the Gospel… the Salvation of man, by the blood of Christ. We are to proclaim eternal life, resurrection of the dead, because Christ overcame death. We are to proclaim the promises of God and the promise of the removal of sin, by Faith in Jesus. All the while LOOKING to the heavens for our Savior, yearning for the day and time when we will be with Him always. We yearn because we live on earth as foreigners while Satan is throned as prince; we know that this earth is temporal…or do we?
Too many Christians who profess Him live as citizens on this earth. Instead they are looking to the earth, looking to the promises of a political candidate and all he/she stands for. Meanwhile, we are not proclaiming the awesome message of the Gospel, the remission of sin by Faith, the hope of eternal life, the Savior’s victory over death. Instead we focus on “moral” behavior. We focus on our faith and trust in a political candidate in hopes that they would somehow “improve” this condemned earth/nation. All the while forgetting that all things are temporal, all things will come to its end. It is in enlighten state of mind; I share this scripture (which I am NOT the author of):
“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” 1 Corinthians 15:19
It is not our job to “consider” the moral behavior of others. It is certainly not our responsibility to legislate morality upon others. It is our job as Believers to proclaim, not offer, the hope of the Gospel leaving ALL consequences to Him. Christ Jesus in all His majesty never condemned a sinner for being a sinner.
“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.
And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” -- John 8:7-11
He didn’t come to condemn the world (people), but that the world might be saved through Him. John 3:17
BUT…
He had the harshest words for the Pharisees who not only were hypocrites, but who loved and embraced their lifestyle and did all they could to preserve it.
I hope I clarified and expounded on my point a bit more. I will also be posting this comment as a post since it does add to my original post. If you wish to discuss this issue further I invite you to contact me via email.
God bless you Tamela and thanks for stopping by.