Winston Salem church of Christ

I willingly admit that I am not saved by the letter “m.”  Some are, no doubt.  But not me.  In fact, the letter “m” puts me and all others in our proper place.  Because of the letter “m” I understand how the world views me – and that view is not pleasant.  But that is OK, because their view is correct.

Compared to some, the letter “m” plays more a part in my life than in others; and yet if I compare myself to still others, the letter “m” is far less essential.

What am I talking about?  “Many” versus “any.”

1 Corinthians 1:26 HCSB  (26)  Brothers, consider your calling: not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 

Describing the saved, Paul does not say “not (any) are wise or powerful or of noble birth.”  Christianity has been seen highly educated men such as Paul, or powerful men from a human perspective, whether politically or by other means.  Paul says, “not many.” 

I am not saved by the letter “m.”  Most of us are not.  Paul brings reality down from heaven to basically smack the pride back down in the Corinthians by saying “Brothers, consider your calling.” 

When arguing against the necessity of baptism, people classify it as equal to circumcision and then cite:

Romans 2:25-29 NASB  For indeed circumcision is of value if you practice the Law; but if you are a transgressor of the Law, your circumcision has become uncircumcision.  (26)  So if the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision?  (27)  And he who is physically uncircumcised, if he keeps the Law, will he not judge you who though having the letter of the Law and circumcision are a transgressor of the Law?  (28)  For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh.  (29)  But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

Just as the Gentiles could be “Jews” without circumcision in God’s sight, so anyone can be “spiritual Jews” in God’s sight without baptism.

Furthermore, Paul also said, read more » »

A cartoon strip, Stringbean, choreographed the following bit a wisdom:   Two earthworms, deep underground, are talking to each other.  One of them says, “Hey, Mortimer, have you ever raised your head to look around out there?”   The other one says, “Nope, I was taught that `He who takes a look, gets the hook.’”   “Yeah,” Mortimer echoes, “me, too.  I learned that `he who takes a peek gets the beak.’”   After a pause, Mortimer mumbles through his wall of dirt, “Lovely day, isn’t it?”   The point is that the earthworms had no idea what kind of day it was because they chose to stay entombed and keep a low profile.   Often, Christians likewise hide beneath many self-imposed barriers, thinking therein is safety.  Being “safe,” however, is often very dangerous.  And if not dangerous - just very boring!   Faith is not meant to keep us hiding beneath layers of self-inflicted protections.   Faith allows, no, faith dares us, encourages us to climb out of our little holes beneath the earth, look to the sky and fly.   Yes, little worms, we can fly! Now, wouldn’t that be a freak of nature? A flying worm!   But isn’t that an accurate description of faith? Faith is a freak of nature. It supercedes nature, sending us soaring into the supernatural.    Faith has the awesome ability to see the unseen, to look into the past in order to see to the future (Heb.11:1).   Faith allows us to crawl out of our safe little realm and experience life by looking directly into the face of the sun unharmed and fearless, knowing that what burns inside of us is brighter because it comes from the eternal Son!   Paul wishes that God would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; so that Christ may dwell in (our) hearts through faith. This celestial prayer climaxes by mightily glorying Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (Eph.3:16,17,20).   This is the life of the righteous man (Hab.2:4; Rom.1:17)   This is living, thriving, God-driven, Spirit breathing faith.   We worms have a choice: quiver below or soar. God, if we choose, can make us little worms fly! Dare you join me? 

Blunt sins require blunt responses.  Read with that awareness in mind.  But blunt sins require the kindness of God and grace as do all sins (Romans 2:4).  Let’s keep that in mind too.

Let’s ask some questions that are designed to make us think.

• Are people genetically born homosexual?  Then if one identical twin is homosexual, both would be. But that is not case as studies have shown. 
• If homosexuality is genetic, how is the gene passed on?  Homosexual activity does not lend itself to propagation.
• If such a genetic proclivity became universally inherited, wouldn’t the human race become extinct? If a genetic trait leads to extinction, shouldn’t the medical world be looking for a cure? 

None of those questions are politically correct, but our concern is being Biblically correct, logically consistent, and gracefully compassionate. In this article, we will address both the genetic and moral question of homosexuality by examining Romans 1.  Although not a scientific book, the Romans text itself will argue against homosexuality being genetically inherited within people and therefore addresses it as a moral and spiritual issue.    read more » »