Replies to '06/06 "I'm Gay, OK?"'

Becoming a Christian isn't about being good enough or doing something in order to earn our way.  Salvation is a gift from God ... not man ... so that no one may boast.  Jesus said that He is the only way to salvation .. the only way to God ... there is only one way and that is through him.  And He is at the right hand of God interceding for us.  So we pray for the faith to believe in Him and His promises.  We admit that we are lost without Him.  We accept the grace and mercy that He gives and fills us with.  The Holy Spirit then resides within us ... guiding us, counseling us, comforting us.  There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  But one has to accept that He is the only way.   

Once we are His ... we have to allow Him to so fill our lives that others see Christ in us.  We have to war against the sinful nature that is within us.  That doesn't just disappear because we've accepted Him.  He brings transformation ... but we have to be willing to be transformed.  We have to seek Him and find Him why He may be found.  We have to submit to His will and trust Him with our future.  Jesus did not condemn the woman at the well who was described as having had several husbands and the man she was living with at that point was not her husband.  But what he did say was, 'Go and sin no more.'  Huge.  Huge.  We could not possibly do that on our own.  We are human, fallible creations who will fall and stumble and slip.  But we do not have to embrace sin so that his grace can be shown.  The apostle Paul states this in one of his letters to the church ... 'Should I sin so that grace may abound?  No!'  And so daily we are faced with all sorts of circumstances and relationships that require us to make choices - choices between sinning and not sinning.   

I encourage you to turn to the Word of God and let it fill you up.  Find a reliable translation.  The NIV is one that is tested and proved reliable.  There are many others out there though that are probably an easier read for devotional.  I use a living translation and some use the Message.  I encourage you to find a bible teaching church ... one that relies on the Bible as the authoritative word and that preaches that Word from the pulpit.  The salvation message should be front and center.  And if those parts are there in that church then the congregation will be loving people who will  embrace you for who you are in Christ now.  But that congregation should also have accountability.  We as the body of Christ are accountable to one another.  We are instructed to love one another, pray for one another, and hold one another accountable ... even to the point of pointing out to a brother/sister when they are falling.  Participation in the body means be willing to love someone enough to give and accept this kind of accountability.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  The word of God is foolishness to those who do not believe in Him.  And it is wisdom to those who have been saved.  Read Psalm 139 daily so that you will know how much he cares for you.  He knew you before you were ever born.  He holds you in the palm of His hand. 

I will be praying for you as you are beginning your walk with Him. 

Becoming a Christian isn't about being good enough or doing something in order to earn our way.  Salvation is a gift from God ... not man ... so that no one may boast.  Jesus said that He is the only way to salvation .. the only way to God ... there is only one way and that is through him.  And He is at the right hand of God interceding for us.  So we pray for the faith to believe in Him and His promises.  We admit that we are lost without Him.  We accept the grace and mercy that He gives and fills us with.  The Holy Spirit then resides within us ... guiding us, counseling us, comforting us.  There is no condemnation in Christ Jesus.  But one has to accept that He is the only way.   

Once we are His ... we have to allow Him to so fill our lives that others see Christ in us.  We have to war against the sinful nature that is within us.  That doesn't just disappear because we've accepted Him.  He brings transformation ... but we have to be willing to be transformed.  We have to seek Him and find Him why He may be found.  We have to submit to His will and trust Him with our future.  Jesus did not condemn the woman at the well who was described as having had several husbands and the man she was living with at that point was not her husband.  But what he did say was, 'Go and sin no more.'  Huge.  Huge.  We could not possibly do that on our own.  We are human, fallible creations who will fall and stumble and slip.  But we do not have to embrace sin so that his grace can be shown.  The apostle Paul states this in one of his letters to the church ... 'Should I sin so that grace may abound?  No!'  And so daily we are faced with all sorts of circumstances and relationships that require us to make choices - choices between sinning and not sinning.   

I encourage you to turn to the Word of God and let it fill you up.  Find a reliable translation.  The NIV is one that is tested and proved reliable.  There are many others out there though that are probably an easier read for devotional.  I use a living translation and some use the Message.  I encourage you to find a bible teaching church ... one that relies on the Bible as the authoritative word and that preaches that Word from the pulpit.  The salvation message should be front and center.  And if those parts are there in that church then the congregation will be loving people who will  embrace you for who you are in Christ now.  But that congregation should also have accountability.  We as the body of Christ are accountable to one another.  We are instructed to love one another, pray for one another, and hold one another accountable ... even to the point of pointing out to a brother/sister when they are falling.  Participation in the body means be willing to love someone enough to give and accept this kind of accountability.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart.  Lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.  The word of God is foolishness to those who do not believe in Him.  And it is wisdom to those who have been saved.  Read Psalm 139 daily so that you will know how much he cares for you.  He knew you before you were ever born.  He holds you in the palm of His hand. 

I will be praying for you as you are beginning your walk with Him.