I just got back a little while ago from the evening sermon at McLean Bible Church, and this one was on the "radical freedom" that we enjoy through our relationship with Jesus Christ. The pastor pointed out something very interesting that gets lost with the legalists, which is that we are quite free to be sinful as Christians, but we cannot escape the fact that even for us the wages of sin are death. In other words, God has already forgiven us, but we will face the torment and judgement for our actions on this side of eternity as surely as anyone else will. In fact, we may face it a little harder because of our relationship with Christ due to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
Which brings me to a very simple point, really. If you never feel a pang of guilt when you do something you know that is dishonoring to God, you're probably not saved. Some people may say that this grace thing is just a license to be sinful, but that's not what it's about. If you are free, you won't really want to sin anymore. As he said, sure you can go out and have a one night stand after church. It's not going to affect your position of salvation, but it will affect your physical, mental and spiritual well-being on this side of eternity. A believer can indeed kill himself or herself through that sort of thing like anyone else because we are still bound to the fact that on this side of eternity, sin results in destruction.
Jesse Lee Peterson wrote an outstanding column that I think is very much in the spirit of truth that is sorely lacking in many churches. Perhaps Ted Haggard would not be where he is today if he could have disclosed his problems and used them as a tool for ministry instead of having to hide them away. I think it might have worked well for them to see a gay man living a happily heterosexual life with his wife in service to Jesus and the fact is, a church focused on grace should have given him the comfort level to come out and seek encouragement from his brothers and sisters in Christ.
I think we can all relate to such problems. I know that many times I have wanted to do what is right, but the sin in me has prevented me from doing them. Grace is what frees us to be able to pursue these things. God levels the playing field for us, and now we get to choose which side we want to be on. No more harsh rules, no more elaborate rituals. Two choices: are you for Me or against Me?
I agree with what you're saying. It seems a lot of Christians don't quite grasp the scope of God's grace.
About sin and death, don't you think the connection between the two needs to be explained in more clear, accurate terms? When you say someone will "die" or "come to know death" because of sin what exactly does that mean? If I sin right now will I drop dead instantly? If not then why is it worded that way? Its very confusing. Religion and old biblical texts aside, the function of language is to convey information. The simpler the better. If the language is obtuse it serve no one's purposes except for those who may or may not be seeking to confuse. Since everyone is going to die anyway no matter how sinful or virtuous they are this one issue REALLY needs to be clarified. There are a lot of evil people in this world who live to ripe old ages.
As for Haggert... Uhhh I don't really think you get the whole "gay" thing. Gay men who marry women aren't being morally righteous. They're just in self denial. What woman wants to be married to a gay man anyway? Do you really think its great for a woman to know that her husband doesn't desire her sexually? How could you possibly advocate this? This isn't even a morality issue, its a basic intelligence issue.
Interesting. Quite. Thank you.
NDPTAL85,
I would be more than happy to explain. Often, probably most of the time, when you see "death" in the Bible, it's talking about spiritual death, not physical death. Sometimes the former leads to the latter, which is the general relationship between sin and death (no sin = no natural death). "The wages of sin is death" is taken to mean generally that you are separating yourself from God which is spiritual death. However, leading a sinful life can lead you into situations where you very well might be killed "before your time."
The thing about Haggard is that he went into this relationship knowing that he struggled with this particular aspect of his life. Have you read his confession letter? It speaks of a more complicated problem than you might expect. I can understand where he is coming from because, to paraphrase Paul, sometimes we do the things we don't want to do and don't do the things we want to do.
"Gay men who marry women aren't being morally righteous. They're just in self denial..."
Stupid stuff like this needs a brief response, Mike...
Thieves who try not to steal aren't being morally righteous. They're just in self-denial...
Grace isn't about continuing to sin and then expecting last-second forgiveness. It's an unmerited promise, but which requires that we as individuals turn from rebellion to obedience, and do as He asks.
Wives of former thieves who repent undoubtedly have much in common with former homosexuals who turn from sin to obedience. God does promise a blessing, and His Word is far more trustworthy than the unrepentent who can't discern rebellion from 'self-denial'.
Can I assume you meant to say that "Wives of former thieves who repent undoubtedly have much in common with wives of former homosexuals who turn from sin to obedience?" The sin is after all not on the married woman, but on her husband.
We all have dark desires at some point because they are part of our sinful flesh. I know that I would be quite a monster if I didn't "live in denial." In that sense, I'm just more honest I guess since I've looked into my own soul and know for a fact that it is almighty God that keeps the beast under control.
That's why my philosophy is that no private citizen, and even few public ones, should have their dark secrets "outed" without love and mercy. The beast lives in everyone and can only be caged by the Holy Spirit of the Lord through Jesus' blood and faith.
"Can I assume you meant..."
Yah, shoor. Sorry...
As for the rest, agree. I find the "certain abominations are excusable" crap tiring after a while; there are limits even to Pablum-PC.
You point is well-taken, Mike. Mine is simply that children should be taught not to curse, not to steal, and not to bufu.
I think all abominations are excusable by God which is what gets me in trouble with non-believers most of the time :) Problem is, I call them all abominations ;)
"I know that I would be quite a monster if I didn't "live in denial." In that sense, I'm just more honest I guess since I've looked into my own soul and know for a fact that it is almighty God that keeps the beast under control." - I'm curious, you like to be spanked?
I can neither confirm nor deny that... :-P