Is This Love??????????

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Pastor loses his temper in church! – YouTube.

Oftentimes things in life can get complicated. One such thing that is complicated is love. Not the romantic love between a husband and wife, but love we can have for a friend, neighbor, or co-worker. What does this love look like? One thing is for sure it doesn’t look like the video above.  In fact this video is a prime example of what love and grace is not about.  While I fully agree our culture has no sense of cell phone etiquette, and it was extremely rude for that person to not turn their phone off or as the very least turn the ringer off. Though maybe naive I truly believe this person wasn’t intentionally rude, but simply forgot to address their phone before going into a place where it is inappropriate for their phone to be going off. I digress, back to the main point. How are we to approach people and act around people, especially when they frustrate us?

The simple and complicated answer is to love them. This doesn’t mean that we will be best friends with everyone or want to spend hours on end with everyone we come across. To love simple means to care for them and want the best for them even if they worry us. It means to show them grace as we would want to be shown grace. It means to be patient with them even when we are standing behind them in line at the local Starbucks or grocery store as they take their dear sweet time when we are running 5 minutes behind. It is treating them with decency and respect as you would want to be treated with decency and respect.

Isn’t this subject of loving others, a significant portion of the Bible?

“‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.” (Leviticus 19:18, NASB95)

“One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ “This is the great and foremost commandment. “The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ “On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”” (Matthew 22:35–40, NASB95)

Here is the skinny what God expects of you and I. Two things that sound easy and roll off the tongue easy. The two things are: Love God and Love Others.
When it comes to loving others I truly worry about the direction of our culture, yet when it comes down to it we can only control what we do as individuals. So here are my questions for you.
How are you doing at loving others?
What are you going to show love toward others? With your friends? Co-worker? Neighbors?
How can you do a better job with loving others?
Are there times you just need to take a breath before you speak or react? Would this help you in loving others?

 

 

Living Courageously: Courageous in Calling

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Here is my sermon manuscript/notes from this past Sunday. This is the first sermon in a new eight week sermon series called “Living Courageously”. While the sermon series is a very loose adaption from the Courageous: Honor Begins at Home sermon series, I still feel like I should give credit where credit is due.

Courageous in Calling

Judges 6:11-7:22

CPT: God calls Gideon, who see’s himself as a nobody.

CPS: We must see ourselves through the eyes of God.

Question: How can I be courageous in my calling?

“Then the angel of the Lord came and sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash the Abiezrite as his son Gideon was beating out wheat in the wine press in order to save it from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O valiant warrior.” Then Gideon said to him, “O my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up from Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord looked at him and said, “Go in this your strength and deliver Israel from the hand of Midian. Have I not sent you?” He said to Him, “O Lord, how shall I deliver Israel? Behold, my family is the least in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s house.” But the Lord said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat Midian as one man. “So Gideon said to Him, “If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who speak with me. “Please do not depart from here, until I come back to You, and bring out my offering and lay it before You.” And He said, “I will remain until you return.” Then Gideon went in and prepared a young goat and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour; he put the meat in a basket and the broth in a pot, and brought them out to him under the oak and presented them. The angel of God said to him, “Take the meat and the unleavened bread and lay them on this rock, and pour out the broth.” And he did so. Then the angel of the Lord put out the end of the staff that was in his hand and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire sprang up from the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. Then the angel of the Lord vanished from his sight. When Gideon saw that he was the angel of the Lord, he said, “Alas, O Lord God! For now I have seen the angel of the Lord face to face.” The Lord said to him, “Peace to you, do not fear; you shall not die.” Then Gideon built an altar there to the Lord and named it The Lord is Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. Now on the same night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s bull and a second bull seven years old, and pull down the altar of Baal which belongs to your father, and cut down the Asherah that is beside it; and build an altar to the Lord your God on the top of this stronghold in an orderly manner, and take a second bull and offer a burnt offering with the wood of the Asherah which you shall cut down.” Then Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had spoken to him; and because he was too afraid of his father’s household and the men of the city to do it by day, he did it by night. When the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was torn down, and the Asherah which was beside it was cut down, and the second bull was offered on the altar which had been built. They said to one another, “Who did this thing?” And when they searched about and inquired, they said, “Gideon the son of Joash did this thing.” Then the men of the city said to Joash, “Bring out your son, that he may die, for he has torn down the altar of Baal, and indeed, he has cut down the Asherah which was beside it.” But Joash said to all who stood against him, “Will you contend for Baal, or will you deliver him? Whoever will plead for him shall be put to death by morning. If he is a god, let him contend for himself, because someone has torn down his altar.” Therefore on that day he named him Jerubbaal, that is to say, “Let Baal contend against him,” because he had torn down his altar. Then all the Midianites and the Amalekites and the sons of the east assembled themselves; and they crossed over and camped in the valley of Jezreel. So the Spirit of the Lord came upon Gideon; and he blew a trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called together to follow him. He sent messengers throughout Manasseh, and they also were called together to follow him; and he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they came up to meet them. Then Gideon said to God, “If You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken, behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I will know that You will deliver Israel through me, as You have spoken.” And it was so. When he arose early the next morning and squeezed the fleece, he drained the dew from the fleece, a bowl full of water. Then Gideon said to God, “Do not let Your anger burn against me that I may speak once more; please let me make a test once more with the fleece, let it now be dry only on the fleece, and let there be dew on all the ground.” God did so that night; for it was dry only on the fleece, and dew was on all the ground. Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. The Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, ‘My own power has delivered me.’ “Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.’ ” So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. Then the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there. Therefore it shall be that he of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go with you; but everyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink.” Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. The Lord said to Gideon, “I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midianites into your hands; so let all the other people go, each man to his home.” So the 300 men took the people’s provisions and their trumpets into their hands. And Gideon sent all the other men of Israel, each to his tent, but retained the 300 men; and the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. Now the same night it came about that the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hands. “But if you are afraid to go down, go with Purah your servant down to the camp, and you will hear what they say; and afterward your hands will be strengthened that you may go down against the camp.” So he went with Purah his servant down to the outposts of the army that was in the camp. Now the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the sons of the east were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as numerous as the sand on the seashore. When Gideon came, behold, a man was relating a dream to his friend. And he said, “Behold, I had a dream; a loaf of barley bread was tumbling into the camp of Midian, and it came to the tent and struck it so that it fell, and turned it upside down so that the tent lay flat.” His friend replied, “This is nothing less than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given Midian and all the camp into his hand.” When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the camp of Midian into your hands.” He divided the 300 men into three companies, and he put trumpets and empty pitchers into the hands of all of them, with torches inside the pitchers. He said to them, “Look at me and do likewise. And behold, when I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. “When I and all who are with me blow the trumpet, then you also blow the trumpets all around the camp and say, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’ ” So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just posted the watch; and they blew the trumpets and smashed the pitchers that were in their hands. When the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers, they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing, and cried, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Each stood in his place around the camp; and all the army ran, crying out as they fled. When they blew 300 trumpets, the Lord set the sword of one against another even throughout the whole army; and the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the edge of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath.” (Judges 6:11-7:22, NASB95)

Me

There are times I feel ill equipped. For instance I am one who prides myself on being able to pick up physical task quickly and easily, yet there is an occasion where this was simply not true. It was when I was in college at Wilmington and I was invited to go surfing. Now please know I had never been surfing before, I had never touched a surf board, nor I had never been skate boarding. Even through this is the case for some unknown reason I decided to go surfing. Did I also mention that this is 2 days before Hurricane Dennis. While all this is the case I’m going to go out there and conquer this sport. Can anyone say epic fail. Those waves were so ginormous and it was so choppy I’m lucky kill myself, nor anyone else for that matter.

We

What about you, do you ever feel ill equipped for a task? Maybe you felt ill equipped when you first got married. You thought how in the world am I going to be husband or wife I need to be. Maybe you felt ill equipped to become a parent. You thought you were ready before your child came but when they were born reality hit, ‘please Lord help me not mess this kid up.‘  Maybe you felt ill equipped on that infamous first day at a new job. You thought that maybe you wouldn’t measure up.

Whatever it may be you may have felt like the task before you was impossible and what can little you do to overcome this insurmountable task.

Friend I want you to know that the men and women of the Bible felt the same way you and I do? There were scared, insecure, and questioned. One such man was Gideon.

Look with me in Judges beginning in chapter 6.

God

Read and Short Discussion Judges 6:11-7:22

You

How can you be courageous in your calling?

  1. You need God’s perspective of who you are.
    1. Notice what the angel calls Gideon. He calls him “O valiant warrior”.
    2. Does Gideon see himself as a valiant warrior?
    3. How does Gideon see himself? (15)
    4. How do you view yourself? Maybe you think you are a nobody or to fearful or not smart enough or not articulate enough.
    5. How does God view you?
    6. You and I need God’s perspective on who we are. When we have His perspective we can live out our calling courageously.
  2. You need to follow the Lord with radical abandonment.
    1. Go when He says go.
    2. Unfortunately this isn’t what Gideon does. Gideon questioned and Gideon wanted more signs.
  3. You need to focus on the one true God.
    1. Destruction of idols (25-31)
    2. What idols do you need to rid of that keep you from living out your call courageously? Is it the idol of pride? Is it the idol of your reputation? Is it the idol called TV? Is it the idol certain websites? What are the idols that are keeping you from living courageously with your call?
  4. You need to trust that God will give you the steps to take when you need to take them.
    1. Throughout the process God would tell Gideon the next step. In the same way God will aways tell you the next step when it is time.  Yet the waiting for the next step takes trust.
    2. If you are to live out your call courageously it will take trust.
  5. You need to follow knowing the Lord is in control.
    1. The plan that the Lord gave to Gideon in attacking the Midianites was crazy. No swords, no shields, no bows and arrows, and no calvary. All they were told to take with them is a trumpet, a pot, and a torch.  This is really going to win a battle.
    2. Yet here is the truth. No matter our circumstances God is in control. When everything seems to be spiraling out of control, God is still in control. When you feel like it is you verses the world, God is still in control.

We

While you may not be able to tell it know but as I grew up I was extremely shy. I was the little kid who would hid behind my mother’s leg and the kid who never wanted to be called upon in the classroom. When the Lord called me into ministry this created a problem. You see pastor are constantly standing and speaking before people and this simply was not me, yet over time I accepted His call. Just like Gideon we all have to overcome fears and be courageous in your call.

What has God called you to? If you are married He has called you to be a godly husband or wife. Are you being a godly husband or wife? Your spouse is a gift from the Lord for you to love and care for. Be courageous in your marriage.

If you are a parent God has called you to be a godly parent to your child or children. He has not called you to be a best friend. Your children don’t need you to be their best friend they need you to be a godly parent who will train them, guide them, protect them, and love them. He has not called you to be an absent and uninvolved parent. You are meant to be involved, to spend quality time with your children, to ask them questions on their day, and to look for those teachable moments. How are you doing with this parent’s? Are you being a good enough parent or are you being a godly parent who takes their responsibility and stewardship of their children seriously?

If you are a grandparent God has called you to be a godly grandparent. To support and give advise when needed to your children who are now parents. To love and teach your grandchildren. Maybe even spoil them a little. Are you intentionally pursuing a relationship with your grandchildren? Do you try to enter their world? Do you support and give advise to your children when needed? Are you being a godly example for both your children and grandchildren in this season of your life?

Maybe God has called you to some type of personal ministry. What are you doing to overcome the fear and fulfill this calling? Are you willing to act and take that first step?

I want to encourage you my friend, in whatever the Lord has called you to be Courageous in Your Calling.

 

War: The Importance of Prayer

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War: The Importance of Prayer

Ephesians 6:18-24

“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us, and that he may comfort your hearts. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.” (Ephesians 6:18–24, NASB95)

CPT: Paul reminds the Ephesian believers of the importance of prayer.

CPS: As believers we need to remember the importance of prayer.

Question: With the pressures and temptations of this world how are to pray? Why should we pray

Introduction

Video- “Isn’t Enough”

Does having the best equipment in a sport make you the best? Is it enough?

Does having the best calculator make you the best mathematician?

Does having the best cookware make you Paula Deen?

What about having the best microphone does this make you Martina McBride?

If you have a Les Paul Gibson guitar make you Stevie Ray Vaughn?

What about in war. Does having the best equipment make you the best? Is equipment all it takes to win a war? Can you take average Joe of the street give him the best boots, the best camouflage, the best ammo, the best gun, and expect him to be G.I. Joe?

While the equipment by itself is important there is something more that undergirds all of that equipment. It is the training, the preparation, and most importantly the heart that makes the soldier. There is something deeper. Something intangible.

When it comes to you and I in this spiritual war it is the same. While the belt, breastplate, shoes, shield, helmet, and sword are vitally important there is something deeper. There is something that makes all of good stuff and makes it great.

There is something that undergirds all of the weapons of this spiritual war that the apostle Paul tells us about.

Let’s see what the Bible tells us that this undergirding is.

Exposition 

Read Ephesians 6:18-24

Paul begins Ephesians with the comprehensive declaration that “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (1:3). He then proceeds to tell us of our blessings.

You are chosen, predestined, and adopted as God’s children (1:4–5)

You are lavished with His grace (1:6, 8; 2:7)

You are redeemed and forgiven (1:7; 4:32)

You are given the mystery of His will (1:9; 3:4–6)

You are receivers of an inheritance (1:11)

You have been sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13–14; 4:30)

You are greatly loved by God (2:4; 5:25)

You are made alive with new life (2:5–6)

You are the workmanship of Christ, created by Him for doing good works (2:10)

You are given God’s own peace (2:14)

You are made one with Christ and with every other believer as His own Body (2:13–19; 3:4–6)

You are made citizens of God’s kingdom and members of His family (2:19)

You are built into God’s own temple and the dwelling place of His Spirit (2:20–22)

You are given boldness and confident access to God (3:12)

You are made powerful beyond your imagination (3:20)

You are given the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (4:3)

You are individually and uniquely gifted by Christ (4:7)

You are blessed with specially gifted leaders to equip you in the work of ministry (4:11–12)

You are taught by Jesus Christ Himself (4:20–21)

You are given a new self in God’s holy likeness (4:24)

You are made light (5:8)

You are offered the fullness of the Holy Spirit (5:18)

You are given the instructions and resources to make all relationships with others what God intends them to be (5:21—6:9)

You are given God’s full armor to make us invincible against Satan and his demonic forces (6:10–17).

In light of our immeasurable and wondrous privileges and blessings, you and I can easily begin to think we are adequate in ourselves and thereby lose our essential sense of dependence on God.

Prayer is the closing theme in the letter to the church at Ephesus . Prayer is not merely another essential weapon in the offense and defense of the believer. It is the very spiritual air that the soldier of Christ breathes. The thing that MUST undergird everything is prayer. Let’s walk through this verse 18 noting the 4 all statements as we answer the question, with the pressures and temptations of this world how are to pray?

All Prayer and Petition

The word used here for prayer refers to general requests. The word used here for petition refers to those that are specific. The use of both words points leads us to the idea that we are to be involved in all kinds of prayer. We can pray publicly or privately; in loud cries, in soft whispers, or even silently; deliberately and planned or spontaneously; while sitting, standing, kneeling, or even lying down; at home or in church or in the car; while working or while traveling; with hands folded or raised; with eyes open or closed; with head bowed or erect; standing or sitting or kneeling or laying prostrate. We can pray wherever we are and in whatever situation we are in. We are to pray for all things and for all circumstances.

This means that we need to pray about physical needs, emotional needs, and most importantly we need to be praying for peoples spiritual needs.

Philippians 4:6-7- “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Maybe you see a wreck while you are traveling, you can pray right there in your car. Maybe you are talking to a friend on the phone and they are telling you about a struggle they are having, pray for them over the phone. Maybe you are at the hospital visiting a family member, pray for them then and there.

Wherever you are and what ever circumstances you are in pray.

All Times in the Spirit

To pray at all times is to live where everything we see and experience becomes a kind of prayer. This is not a 24 hr long prayer but constantly going to the Father throughout the day because of you know of your great need for Him. This may be a several minute prayer or a short two word prayer.

It is to go to the Father and ask for help when you are tempted. When you experience something good and beautiful, you give thanks to the Lord. When you see evil around you, you pray that God will make it right and be willing to be used of Him to that end. When you meet someone who does not know Christ, pray for God to draw that person to Himself and to use you to be a faithful witness. When you encounter a situation of trouble, you turn to God as your Deliverer. In other words, our life becomes a continual prayer, constantly communing with our heavenly Father. Friend, there is no time when you do not need to pray and no time when God will not hear your prayers.

Luke 21:36- “But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

1 Thess. 5:16-17- “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing;”

What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? This has nothing to do with speaking in tongues or anything of the sort. To pray in the Spirit is to pray in the name of Christ. To pray in the Spirit is to pray consistent with His nature and will.

To pray in the Spirit is to pray in concert with the Spirit, who as Romans 8:26-27 states, “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”

All Perseverance and Petition 

To pray on the alert with all perseverance and petition is to pray in a certain manner. We are to pray intently, specifically, and persistently.

Luke 11: 1-13- “It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples.” And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. ‘Give us each day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.’ ” Then He said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and goes to him at midnight and says to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and from inside he answers and says, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ “I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs. “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened. “Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? “Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?””

In this parable we have a person who has a problem so they go intently to their friend to meet that need. Also, they go asking specifically for three loaves of bread. Not only this but they asked persistently for the bread.

Luke 18:1-8- “Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man. “There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ “For a while he was unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’ ” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge said; now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them? “I tell you that He will bring about justice for them quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?””

If this ungodly and unjust judge will answer this persistent widow, how much more will a righteous, just and loving God answer our prayer.

I encourage you in your prayer life to pray intently, persistently, and specifically.

All the Saints

Our passage tells us to prayer for all the saints. In other places it tells us to pray for non-believers and  for government leaders. Here he specifically states that we are to pray for all the saints. We are not in this spiritual war alone, there are other believers that are going through struggles and temptations. We need to be praying for them.

Men, do you pray for your wife on a regular basis? Do you pray for her spiritual well being? Do you pray her maturity in Christ? Do you pray that you will be the husband your wife needs? Do you pray for the worries and stresses that she faces on a daily basis? Women, do you pray for your husband on a regular basis? Do you pray that he would have wisdom as the spiritual leader of your home? Do you pray for his continual maturity in Christ? Do you pray for the worries and stresses he faces? Do you pray for your children? How about other family members? What about ministry leaders, do you pray for them?

Conclusion

In 1836 Charlotte Elliot wrote these words:

Christian, seek not yet repose,

Cast thy dreams of ease away;

Thou art in the midst of foes;

Watch and pray.

Principalities and power,

Mustering their unseen array,

Wait for thy unguarded hours;

Watch and pray.

Watch as if on that alone

Hung the issue of the day,

Pray that help may be sent down;

Watch and pray.

I want to encourage you as we each go through the trials and temptations this world can throw at us be a person of prayer. Be a prayer warrior. Be someone who understands their need for the Savior. Be a person of prayer.

Prayer

Invitation

Life or Choice? Part 2

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Today is Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, so I figure it is a great time to continue our conversation on the question on Life or Choice. As is apparent with the replies on the last post this is a heated debate with lots of emotion. The emotion on both sides of the debate is understandable but we as a society must come to a point of resolution. So let’s address a couple of issues when it comes to this question of Life and Choice.

First, we as individuals and as a society must come to a point of realizing the precious gift of life. Life isn’t something to be tossed away or neglected. Life is a gift and something that must be held as precious. It doesn’t matter how old or how young that life is, it is precious and must be treated as such. Throughout history the critical mistake of devaluing a life or lives has been repeated more times than it should. This can be seen in the Holocaust with the attempted extermination of Jews. This can be seen in the countless cases of slavery that still plagues humanity. This can be seen in racism and sexism as one group is devalued. To devalue life in the case of abortion is no different. A life is precious no matter the age, the gender, or the ethnicity.  Life is a precious gift.

Further, life is seen as precious throughout Scripture. For instance in Genesis mankind is made in the image of God (Imago Dei). Being made in the image of God isn’t something to be trivialized, but should give us a clear indicator of the preciousness of life. Scripture also teaches that it is God who has created us. In Psalm 139:13 it states, “For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb” (NASB).

Second, we as society must protect those who have no voice and are the most defenseless. The Bible teaches us exactly this. In the Old Testament we see over and over the care for orphans and widows. Deuteronomy 27:19 states, “‘Cursed is he who distorts the justice due an alien, orphan, and widow.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”  Why were they to be cared for by society? Because they were the most defenseless of that day.  Today an additional group is the unborn child.  They have no say and no defense, therefore they must be protected.