FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 - LOVE WINS

 FRIDAY, JUNE 11, 2021 - LOVE WINS

 

(First, an apology for not having a blog post yesterday!!!  I got behind on commitments and the easiest thing to do was not finish my writing).

 

Over the years as a conservative, white, Christian male (and a very orthodox one at that - at least in my mind!!).  I didn’t like “Bible Editors”.  

 

By “Bible Editors”, I meant those who picked and chose certain scriptures that they liked and ignored the other scriptures.  

 

For example, some groups push the concept of “You must be born again” (John 3:3) - a new person in Christ.  Others pushed faith like “ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

 

Still, others insisted on this (shortened)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.  But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.” James 2:14-18

 

There seems to be a minor disconnect between Ephesians 2:8-9 (faith only), and James 2:14-18 - (Faith must have actions).

 

Then the communion / Eucharist from John 6.  

"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”

 

"Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.  For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them”

 

(The two sides - the first says communion is actually - amazingly, supernaturally - Jesus’ Real flesh, and His real blood; - or the other side - Cmon now, this is symbolic - when you eat the bread and drink the cup - you are remembering the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross.)

 

Or the Pentecostal view:  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.; So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. (1 Corinthians 14)  (I know some Christians that say speaking in tongues is wrong!!!)

 

 The Bible does solidify its view by proclaiming about itself: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.  (2 Timothy 3:16)

 

And, from Revelations 22 (the last chapter in the Bible)

 

“And I solemnly declare to everyone who hears the words of prophecy written in this book: If anyone adds anything to what is written here, God will add to that person the plagues described in this book.  And if anyone removes any of the words from this book of prophecy, God will remove that person’s share in the tree of life and in the holy city that are described in this book.”

 

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So, ALL scripture [Bible] is God-breathed, and don’t add anything to it, and don’t subtract anything from it!!

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BUT - (watch out - I’m going down a ‘rabbit hole’)

 

There seem to be scriptural references that are cultural, not spiritual - and many from the Apostle Paul.

 

Years ago a friend was talking about the “dirty books” of the Bible.  I didn’t have a clue?  So, he explained to me.  If you look at a person’s Bible, the books that are read frequently will have more oil and finger dirt on the edges.  Some parts of the Bible get read a lot and some rarely get read. And, yes that was true.  If the person was highlighting or writing comments in his or her Bible, the outside edges of those pages would be more “dirty” than pages that had no highlighting or comments.  

 

So, let’s look at what might be cultural issues:

 

1 Corinthians 11:14 “Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him.” 

 

Hmmm - time out - what about Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist.  From their birth, they were Nazarites - a group that did not cut their hair.  

 

How about this: “ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors God” and “A man ought not to cover his head since he is the image and glory of God”.  1 Corinthians 4 and 7.  

 

Another time out.  I know a LOT of men who wear hats and caps.  I’ve been in two Bible Studies where the male leader always wore a hat.  One it was more of a beret and the other more of a baseball hat.  And, yes, they were pretty bald under that hat.  

 

BUT, from above “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”  (2 Timothy 3:16) 

 

Can I conclude that all men with long hair or that wear hats most of the time are sinners (acting outside the Biblical directive?)

 

Now how about these verses:

 

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. or if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 

 But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory. For long hair is given to her as a covering. 

(1 Corinthians 11)

 

How about this: “Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak but must be in submission, as the law says. If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. (1 Corinthians 14).  (In some denominations many ministers/pastors are women!!!)

 

A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love, and holiness with propriety. (1 Timothy 2)

 

Okay - you can stop reading now!!  

 

But, if you continue, we have this from Romans 1: “Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men”.

 

In the last forty years, sexual and gender issues have become more pronounced.  Many areas are celebrating “Pride Month” - which generally is seen as a celebration of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and other sexual and gender issues.  And, conservative Christians frequently are fighting against this sexual and gender trend.  

 

With the last point, I can imagine how conservative Christians might have fought against allowing women to vote, or slaves to vote.  AND …. Judged if particular people can enter the “Kingdom of God”.  

 

From Matthew 7: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

Fortunately, I am NOT the one who will judge who gets into the Kingdom of God.  I’m not the one to say “LGBTQ+ are all going to hell”.  That is God’s authority and responsibility, not mine!!!

 

But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well.  If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.  Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. (Matthew 7)

 

Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)

 

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Wrap-up

 

My friends, I am not a theologian.  I don’t know Greek or Hebrew (and sometimes I barely know English).  I am taking the scripture terms as legitimate.  

 

God’s ways are not our ways, and our ways are not God’s ways.  I try not to judge, but to love (show DEEP LOVE FOR EACH OTHER - for love covers a multitude of sins!!!)  

 

LOVE WINS!!!

 

HUGS!!!

 

Karen