The Question Most Frequently Asked To Christians Today

Is homosexuality a sin?

If we are Christians, then we love God more than anything else. If we love God, then we also love His Word, the Bible, because it is God speaking to us. Through reading the Bible, we come to know God's character, the truth, and right from wrong.

The Bible very clearly states that homosexuality is a sin. But the Bible also says that God loves all people! You won't find Him standing up in front of the TV cameras endorsing homosexuality, but you will find Him telling the world, in the most caring and compassionate voice ever to be heard, that He loves them.

Not only does God say it, but He shows just how great His love is for all people by sending His only Son, Jesus, who is God Himself, to die a lonely and cruel death. The Bible says there is no greater love than that of one who is willing to lay down his/her life for another.

"There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends."

John 15:13 (NLT)

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd sacrifices His life for the sheep."

John 10:11 (NLT)

Consider this question: how many of the movie stars and TV personalities who love to publicly support homosexuality would be willing to sacrifice their life for a homosexual who is being bullied and physically assaulted? Yet I know a lot of Christians today who would, because the love of God is in them. Some people may sound good to the world, but all goodness resides in Jesus alone.

You won't find Jesus holding up signs supporting the homosexual lifestyle. Instead, You will find His arms outstretched, and his hands and feet nailed to a Cross. Jesus gives homosexuals His unfailing and unconditional love. And there is no greater love to be found anywhere on earth!

Bullying From The Pulpit

When we have opinions, thoughts, or interpretations that differ from others, we need to be very careful that we never mock the people who disagree with us. We need to respect each other at all times, even when we disagree.

Pastors and teachers especially must be careful when they preach, teach, or speak from the pulpit that they never misuse their position, authority, and opportunity to deride or scoff those who hold differing views. Gaining support by intimidation and making fun of others is a form of bullying. Bullying is a sin that stems from a wrong attitude of selfishness and pride. The Bible says Christians are to always show humility in everything they say and do, thinking of the other person first. When we present our views and entreat others to believe the same, we need to do so without being rude, disrespectful, forceful, or manipulative.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit,

but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

If a pastor or teacher uses this form of bullying, beware of his teaching, because his heart is not right, and when his heart is not right, the Holy Spirit cannot speak through him — he is merely speaking on his on accord.

You Can Identify A Tree By Its Fruit

"Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,

so you can identify people by their actions."

Matthew 7:20 (NLT)

A good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit. A good tree that produces good fruit is used symbolically in Scripture to represent a Christian who abides in the Lord Jesus Christ. A bad tree that produces bad fruit is used symbolically in Scripture to represent a follower of evil or a lover of self.

Now I ask these questions: Can a tree produce fruit that is neither good nor bad? Can a tree produce no fruit at all? And what do these trees represent?

First, a tree that produces no fruit has no life. Second, a tree that produces fruit that is neither good nor bad is worse than a tree that produces bad fruit.

Some Christians might argue that trees that produce neither good nor bad fruit represent Christians who, although they do not abide in the Lord Jesus Christ, will still be permitted to enter Heaven one day because, after all, salvation is a gift based only on the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, not by our own merits. The sole repercussion could only be that such a person will receive little or no heavenly reward from God. Big deal! So what?

Wrong! It's a very big deal!

Our salvation is indeed a wonderful gift of God, but when we become saved, Jesus Christ comes to live inside us. And when Jesus Christ comes to live inside us, He begins to work in us and His character begins to be revealed through us. In other words, it is Jesus who produces the good works in us, not ourselves. A tree that is neither good nor bad, but is just neutral, is a Christian who makes a half-hearted commitment to God. God knows the heart and He has commanded us in the Bible to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind. A person who wishes to avoid following evil, but yet refuses to be a steadfast servant of God, is like a strong distaste in the mouth of God. We must make a decision to either be hot or cold! God does not want us to be lukewarm. We must decide one way or the other. That's the big deal!

"I know all the things you do,

that you are neither hot nor cold.

I wish that you were one or the other!

But since you are like lukewarm water,

neither hot nor cold,

I will spit you out of my mouth."

Revelations 3:15-16 (NLT)

Half-hearted Christians must not fall into the trap of believing that being lukewarm and unproductive for God only means that they will forfeit some jewels in their crown, that they will still be able to somehow slip underneath Heaven's gate. (Believe it or not, I am hearing this false teaching being preached in our Christian churches today!) Please listen: people who obey this false teaching will suffer eternal consequences, not just a few missing jewels or a lack of answers to their earthly prayers.

It is the upmost importance that in the last days, Christians must know all of God's Word, so they can decipher between what teaching being preached is false and what is true.

He Who Holds His Tongue Is Wise

On a one-to-one basis, Matthew talks freely, but in a group or strange situation, Matthew is quiet and doesn't usually speak, just observe. I think he is wise.

When I was newly married, I was put in charge of a children's camp that was being held at the campus of the Bible College from which I graduated. Unfortunately, because of a lack of experience and a bit of over confidence, I made the mistake of not getting enough helpers. There was over a hundred children and I only acquired the help of one other young married couple. When I was through teaching the children the Word of God, I prayed with them, and then I tried to entertain them by playing games as the adult meeting went much longer than anticipated. When it was over, I was exhausted and slightly dishevelled. I quickly grabbed a hold of my husband's hand — at least I thought it was his hand — and starting walking away — with the other lady's husband!

Several minutes later when I finally looked at him and saw who it was, I turned bright red with embarrassment and horrification. I think he was just as shocked as I was because he didn't try to stop me. However, he was very sweet about it afterwards and wasn't tempted to embarrass me further by teasing me. What made it worse for me though was when I turned around I saw his wife. She was quietly walking right behind us the whole time, and also didn't say a word. At that moment all I wanted to do was run away and hide. Have you ever felt like that or is it just me that does crazy things?

Fortunately, the husband and wife were very understanding, and even though they could have had a hay day with me, they both held their tongues.

The Bible says that a person who holds his tongue is wise.

"When words are many, sin is not absent,

but he who holds his tongue is wise."

Proverbs 10:19 (NIV)

Because the husband was slow to speak, I wasn't further embarrassed. Because the wife was slow to speak, she understood the situation and didn't get angry with me or her husband.

"My dear brothers, take note of this:

Everyone should be quick to listen,

slow to speak

and slow to become angry."

James 1:19 (NIV)

Facebook: It's All About Me!

"This is what the Lord says:

'Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom,

or the powerful boast in their power,

or the rich boast in their riches.

But those who wish to boast

should boast in this alone:

that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord

who demonstrates unfailing love

and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth,

and that I delight in these things.

I, the Lord, have spoken!"

Jeremiah 29:23-24 (NLT)

Facebook has morphed the world into a narcissistic society. The majority of people use Facebook to constantly boast about and post pictures of themselves. In fact, even Christians have Facebook pages that are all about themselves — they contain very little or no information about their faith in God.

The Bible states firmly that we are not to boast about anything, except God alone. More specifically, we are not to boast about our intelligence, education, status, wealth, achievements, or appearance. God is the only One who is worthy to boast about. Everything we say, do, write, and picture should be centred around God and His Holy Scriptures.

Facebook has created a world that is all about me, and we need to constantly check that we are not falling into one of Satan's newest traps.

When We Were Utterly Helpless

This morning, a seventeen-year-old man sits in prison. At the moment, it seems everyone in the world hates and despises him. This young man killed three fellow students, wounded two others, and caused indescribable pain to the victims' family members and friends. Why shouldn't the world hate him?

The world likes to point an accusing finger at the killer and blame him entirely. His principal, his teachers, and his fellow students all claim complete innocence: the young man, they say, was never bullied, over-looked, or rejected. And yet the young man chose to bring a gun to school to kill.

Even though the world may deny any blame, they are just as guilty as this young man. A murderer isn't born over night. Yes, God has deep compassion for the families and friends who lost their loved ones, but He also has deep compassion for this seventeen-year-old man who sits all alone, lost in a world without love or hope. I pray that, even now, someone will tell him about Jesus and His unconditional and undying love for him.

It's easy for someone to point a finger at the accused when they have come from a loving and supportive home, when they have never suffered the psychological pain and internal damages of abuse. The boy who became a murderer, on the other hand, was being raised by his grandparents: his parents had criminal records and emotional problems of their own, and were therefore unable to provide a stable, loving, and nurturing home for their son. He was a prime target for abuse at school. We must be very careful to teach our children to never intimidate, torment, antagonize, or demean another human soul, but to have love and compassion for all people.

God loves the sinners! He died for all! How can we hate someone whom God loves? Instead, let us show compassion for even the worst of criminals. This is the heart of God.

"When we were utterly helpless,

Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.

Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,

though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners."

Romans 5:6-8 (NLT)

We Can All Smile!

"Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she smiles at the future."

Proverbs 31:25 (NAS)

I have an appointment to see my dentist this morning to remove my stitches. I still have quite a few left in my gums that haven't dissolved yet, so my dentist will be busy.

When I look in the mirror, I still find it unbelievable to see myself with such large teeth. I brush my teeth half a dozen times a day just as an excuse to look at them and smile. I will be smiling a whole lot wider now because I don't have to worry any more about how much my gums are showing. God has certainly given me a blessing! And it was one I never asked for or expected.

When a person smiles, it indicates that they are opening themselves up to you. Years ago I knew someone my age who never smiled or laughed, and that same person was never able to express their personal feelings or emotions. It is very sad and distressing to have someone you want to be close to, but who refuses or is unable to open themselves up. The relationship cannot thrive, and will ultimately fail, leaving hearts broken and souls wrenched.

Smile because God gives us His love, forgiveness, joy, and a glorious future that will be everlasting!