The modern Church’s overall inability to properly engage the culture in which it exists is none the more evident than in the issue of homosexuality. There is nothing more appalling (except perhaps our treatment of African Americans and women), than the pure hatred that the church has shown to the homosexual community.
This will be my attempt at helping to add something meaningful to this conversation by addressing the question: how should a Christian in today’s western culture understand the issue of homosexuality.
Recently Dan Wilkinson posted an article titled Why Homosexuality Isn’t A Sin, which was widely circulated within social media. I was looking forward to reading Dan’s article when I first saw the posting on Unfundamentalist Christians Facebook page simply because very few good attempts have been made at writing about this issue. Perhaps my eagerness to see critical articles regarding this issue has clouded my judgment, but the article was anything but spectacular. The article uses C.S. Lewis’ “moral argument” in order to establish a foundation from which one can argue (supposedly) that homosexuality is not a sin. The argument is summarized below:
- Everyone has within them an innate moral law that enables them to appreciate what is right or wrong.
- Homosexuality neither hurts the self or another and its participants are exceedingly happy.
- Therefore, it must be the case that homosexuality is not in violation of the innate moral law.
The innate moral law shows us that the act of homosexuality is both “not natural” as well as “immoral”, and therefore to be considered sin. However, and infinitely more important, I will also show that this sin is no different from any other that the individual commits.
Romans 1:18-32
Paul presents us with two contrasting pictures of humanity and their relationship to sin. In the first picture he identifies those who “deny the obvious” – God’s existence as demonstrated by the creation itself. Moreover, all people know of God and as a result of this revelation are “without excuse”.
As a result of denying this obvious “innate” existence people began participating in all sorts of sinful behavior. Among these he lists homosexuality.
The second picture Paul presents us is the life in Christ.In contrast to a life lived in sin, life in Christ does not push you away from God, but draws you to him. What’s more, it provides the individual with meaning and purpose for their existence.
Two important observations regarding this passage:
First, Paul clearly states that the practice of homosexuality is not “natural” behavior for humans. I do not think Paul is being scientific as much as he is being “obvious” in making this connection. The fact that it’s not natural does not necessitate that the behavior is sin. However, it does dismiss the claim that it is natural behavior. With that said, it could be argued that the act is an act against the natural order of things, in which case it could be deemed as sin on that basis.
Second, Paul does not differentiate this sin as being any worse than the others. He also does not give us permission to judge those to whom this applies. In fact, if you continue to read on, you will notice that chapter two is very clear: God is the judge of Sin, not man. Therefore, this is between the individual and God. I cannot help but think of that powerful story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery: “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone“. People, I urge you, put down your stones!
Being Honest
No doubt, for some, this section will be hard to read, but if you have made it this far, I encourage you to continue. The truth is sometimes a hard pill to swallow.
We need more homosexuals in the church! What does it mean that 99% (this is my sarcastic non-scientific number) of those who attend our churches are NOT homosexual? Is there any other “sin” that is so exclusionary to the point that we refuse to let the individual in on the basis of that sin. I would argue that there are more rapists and murderers in the church than there are homosexuals. In fact, there are hundreds if not thousands of churches and organizations that reach out to rapists and murders through prison ministries. There is much less love shown to the homosexual community.
I understand that in most cases sin is a very private matter. That is to say, we don’t walk around with signs that tell everyone what sins we have committed for the day. Moreover, having a practicing homosexual couple in the church makes their “issue” more obvious.
Here are the reasons I think we don’t have as many homosexuals in the church as we should. Please feel free to think of these as the great sins of our time:
We treat homosexuals much like many of our ancestors treated African Americans. We just don’t let them in. The unfortunate segregation that still occurs today within the church is an abhorrent result of the segregation that took place only a couple of generations ago. Can you imagine creating laws that purposely singled out individuals solely based upon the color of their skin? Just remember that the next time you go to the polls to vote. It was a sin then, and it’s still a sin now.
We are ignorant. We think homosexuality is some disease that is going to rub off on us or our children. I can’t begin to name all of the problems associated with this line of thinking.
Its complicated. We like our churches to be nice, neat and organized – not messy. We like our hour long church service (so we can make it back in time for football of course), and we don’t like disagreement. My response is simple: that’s childish, grow up!
It doesn’t line up with our politics. Good grief do I hate the fact that I have to say that. I am still baffled by the fact that being a Christian is almost synonymous with being a republican. It makes no sense to me that we demand the government stay out of our personal lives; to not deny us our “rights”, etc. However, we are very quick to deny those same rights to others that we so vehemently demand for ourselves. And we do this simply because we disagree with a choice they made.
…and there are certainly more that I could put here, but alas I have ran out of energy.
Concluding thought: the real problem
I don’t think the real problem is homosexuality, but its much deeper. There is a problem with the church. There is a problem with the “modern worldview”. There are problems with how we understand the role of the church in culture. There are problems everywhere.
Homosexuals are not the problem. We are.
Tricia Turner
July 3, 2013You might find Ralph Smith’s book “Heterosexism” a valuable support! He was professor at Wartburg Lutheran [ELCA] Seminary Dubuque Iowa when he co-wrote this book with our ethics professor (whose name I regret I can’t immediately recall, who left to serve as ethics prof at Loyola in Chicago soon after book published circa 1993). I appreciate your blog. Bless you — t
Eric English
July 6, 2013Tricia…thank you for the note and encouraging email. I will certainly look into the the title your recommended.
Blessings.
E
Steve Esther
July 17, 2013Here’s one problem: What happens when homosexuality is preached against in any church that invites homosexuals in. Are they willing to sit there and listen and be as uncomfortable as the rest of us are when God’s word convicts us of something? If so, that’s great, but we should not avoid the subject altogether just to avoid making people uncomfortable.
Eric English
July 17, 2013I have never been in a church that preaches against “homosexuality”, nor would I attend one. The preaching should focus on SIN in general.
Steve Esther
July 17, 2013But you still have to identify sin. When God destroyed Sodom and Gommorah, He did so because of their wickedness. Part of that wickedness was homosexuality. How about where it says(paraphrased) not to have a man lie with another man? Do we leave those teachings out? Look, I know people who are gay. One of my best friends is gay. He knows what I believe and why, and to me that’s “sowing the seed”. He goes to church. He hears certain teachings that he’s admitted bother him, but he listens anyway. Unfortunately, he’s probably one of a very few that will.
Eric English
July 17, 2013No we do not leave those teachings out. But your examples are out of context. In the first, God did not destroy the city because of homosexuality, he did so because of wickedness and sin. In your second example, I address this text in the above article.
The point being, that the issue in and of itself is not as clear as you make it out to be. Now, I agree with you that it is sin, but my above article is meant to provide a unique interpretation on a passage of scripture (which you quoted) that has been used and abused (incorrectly, I might add), on both sides of the conversation.
I think in order for you to understand why I addressed that passage above you might want to look at the common interpretations of that passage.
Derek Evans
January 2, 2014Hello!
You have some great stuff here. However, I would like some help in deepening my understanding of homosexuality vs. the bible in general.
We both agree that the bible is not the Word of God but is rather an excellent testimony to who God is. I think that more people are turned away from Christ than brought to a relationship with him because of the strong adherence in our churches to the antithesis.
This is the question I pose; what do you believe causes homosexuality in a person? And further, whatever the cause, can we honestly use the argument that it “goes against the natural order of things” when the act of “doing the right thing” (as opposed to sinning) goes against the natural order of things itself. We are born into sin, are we not? And do we not have to teach our children to be good? I’m not saying that we are consciously choosing not to sin whenever we do something good, just showing that it is now part of the natural order TO sin. We are bad by nature.
As I mentioned above, we do not believe that the bible is the Word of God. It can’t be. So knowing this, because the bible exists outside of the absolute truth (God is the absolute truth and he does not live in the bible nor did he write it) is it not then understandable that everything in the bible was subject to the fallacy of man? It is obvious that the bible holds an inherent truth, which is Jesus, but men wrote the bible and men (who are born into sin) are obviously prone to mess up, to misconstrue, and add their own opinions to everything.
What would we know to be a “sin” if we did not have the bible to instruct / tell us? Sins are for God to decide, not “our” interpretation of what we think God says. (Which is why I completely agree with you that we should speak on “sins” in general, and not specifics.)
I believe that something, such as homosexuality, a sexual attraction between members of the same sex, is so deeply ingrained in a person, that its hard to definitively peg it as a sin. Which is why I asked your (respected) opinion on what you believe causes homosexuality?
Derek
Eric English
January 3, 2014Derek,
First…let me mention how much I appreciate you taking the time to properly articulate your questions and opinions. It makes it much easier to interact with individuals when they have done this – so I thank you! I am in hopes that I can echo the same sincerity and tone to which your response deserves.
Regarding the cause of homosexuality within a person. This is a great question to which I do not have an “answer” (nor do I think science does either – though they are quick to claim said knowledge). With that said, I want to careful, because I think there are probably several different causes for why someone becomes homosexual; and these causes tend to be different from case to case.
However, I do have some thoughts as it relates to the question. First, I think it is important for everyone within this conversation to understand that “homosexuality” as we understand it today, is a different type of cultural phenomenon than it was in ANE and Roman cultures. Whereas much of the practice during ancient times was based upon religious traditions and practices, the current phenomenon seems to be driven more by culture.
I think it’s related to three things: First, I think as a culture we have become more sexually tolerant; certain things that once would have been considered taboo, are now normal.
Second, the issue is very political (and unfortunately with the political you also get the religious). But, what it really means is that a large portion of people will buy into it simply because it is part of their political or religious tradition. Third, I think it’s a misunderstanding of what it means “to be free”.
However, I am in hopes that the main point doesn’t get lost here. That is, it is not the Christians job to legislate morality. My fear is that this worldview (legislating morality) moves us closer and closer to a Christendom.
Regarding your question about the “natural order of things” and biblical authority. This is unfortunately one of those statements that come with a bunch of context, and probably wasn’t explained as well as it should have been.
It is argued by proponents – both religious and non-religious that homosexuality can be considered “natural” for two reasons. First, it’s innate to the person (though this is unproven). In fact, sexual identity is developed much later in a person’s life in comparison to other attributes which contribute to a person’s overall identity. This leaves room for many things, which could influence how sexuality is developed; the least of which is genetic predisposition. Second, it can be seen all throughout human history. Although this later one is not a formal argument used it is assumed in many of the discussions that take place surrounding the topic.
However, your main question is related to how it is justifiable to hold that homosexuality is NOT natural based upon the authority of the Bible, given my particular view on the Bible. This is a good question. I will be writing as one of my next articles on this very topic. So, here is a preview:
Just because the bible is not the WOG, does NOT mean it’s without authority. At the very least, it must be the case for the Christian that the purpose of the bible is to inform the Christian (not the secular) on how to live rightly (or as Christ) as a witness to the world (and in turn glorifies a Holy God). The bible is one of many such things (prayer, worship, fellowship, etc), which brings forth the WOG within the individual. This is what teaches and instructs, etc.
Yes, it is true we cannot know absolute truth, for only God is capable of such a feat. However, a proper view of subjectivity would require that we think of the absolute like we do perfection. It’s not attainable, but we should always be striving for it. With that said, the bible is still a testimony of those who have encountered God throughout history and as such gives us glimpses of truth that could not otherwise be ascertained.
I simply used Paul’s statement to defend the idea that this type of behavior was not “normal” as is touted by Christians who use the same passage to defend their perspective that it is.
I hope this answered your questions. Please feel free to let me know if I was unclear about something.
Cheers!
Derek Evans
January 3, 2014Eric,
Thanks for your quick but thorough reply! You’re an incredible help.
While the insight the bible gives us, I cannot deny, I have to admit that the authority it holds over what is right and what is wrong feels lost to me or at least a little misinterpreted. (Whether it is on our end, or the various author’s.)
The culture, as you mentioned earlier, was very different back then and what was considered “wrong” or a “sin” previously, might not be so today. (i.e. eating shellfish or the stoning of people being accepted.) I know these are OT examples but there are many more persistent throughout the whole bible.
I feel that the only “truth” as to what is right and what is wrong that we can look to is God. God is love and when we can love, (love him as he has loved us and accept his Son, his gift of love, in our hearts) then we can truly know him.
Jesus himself never mentioned homosexuality but he did speak of acceptance and of love. (I wish I didn’t use the word love so much ha.)
I am thankful that our biblical text exists as it helps in pointing us to the way but I feel that the testimony cannot hold much more in it than that “yellow brick road.” It’s hard for me to take the bible any more seriously than just that, which I admit, is a big thing, but it cannot be the very definition of right and wrong.
I believe that while the bible may never have changed since the canonization, the hands of men, as well as their minds, have been all over it. Men wrote it and as with any writing, influences of the time are sure to riddle the pages. As religion was more prevalent in the governments of the times, certain actions were deemed “sins” to control the people, unfortunately. Religion was made by men, and for man’s benefit. Jesus came to deny religion, right?
As you said, the bible isn’t without, authority. But I believe that that authority is Jesus who preached loved. So we are to follow him and strive to be perfect by loving. Love is hard, and isn’t without discipline, but I believe that love is the line between wrong and right, not the bible.
Correct me if I’m not completely correct, but “sin” implicates an action that can be changed by repentance (a true repentance.) Many friends of mine who are homosexual, christian and non-christian, wish or spend a great deal of time praying for God to change their sexual orientation. I’ve heard, “I wish I didn’t feel this way” and “I never wanted to be gay,” countless times. And in our world of judgement, that sadly, us “Christians” have partially created, who would want to live as the center of that judgement?
From my understanding, when it comes to Sin in particular, it is something that we choose to do, no matter how natural that choice may be. And we can choose to do the opposite. But you can’t ask a gay person to be sexually attracted to the opposite sex. That would be the same as requiring a heterosexual to be attracted to their same sex. A change like that is impossible and as a heterosexual, I could not imagine someone asking that of me.
I think that the reason it is hard to say “what” makes a person a homosexual is because there is no simple “what” to it. I think that it’s a nature vs. nurture thing. You spoke of predisposition and that obviously plays a great deal into it. But if God makes us just the way we are, then he has made said people with that predisposition and knew very well before they were born that they would be gay. So who are we to speak for God on the matter? (Which is where faith comes into the matter.)
We tend to place our faith in the bible instead of God and that is a big mistake.
I might not have been aiming at anything in particular here but these are things that I have only recently started to realize and I needed someone to talk to about it. I sure wouldn’t want to be making a God of my own choosing. But he has left us enough clues and still remains pertinent enough today to show us who he is.
Thanks man!
Derek
Eric English
January 3, 2014Derek,
I feel like we are somewhat trapped in the “writing rabbit hole”. The longer we discuss, the deeper the hole gets. Don’t get me wrong there is a lot of great stuff to talk about – stuff that would be great to discuss over coffee or a beer. Ha. However, I will address as much as I am able to for now. I’m curious where you are located though?
Now…to the topic at hand:
I can’t help but mostly agree with you surrounding the ethics of the Bible. However, we must keep in mind that there are two types of ethics that exist: those that are culturally driven and those that are universal. Example: beheading chickens might be culturally acceptable, but not universally. Whereas murder (subject to its definition) is universally wrong. So I would agree with you regarding the cultural conditioning of the ethics that the bible espouses. With that said, I think it’s still useful to understand those ethics that are universal (Love the lord your God) and continue to adhere to them. But…ultimately you are correct in saying that the Bible is not a book of ethics (just the same as it is not a book of metaphysical truths).
However, I am not referring to ethics with the statement I made in yesterday’s post about “living rightly” (presumably this is what you are referring to). I have my own interpretive method that is a modification and adaption of both “ speech-act theory and Perspectivism”.
I have listed a few of the axioms to give you a little context:
The overarching ethic being “to be like Christ”!
I also think there needs to be a distinction between “sin” and “right and wrong (or ethics)”, but that is for another conversation.
As I continue to think more about your dilemma I keep coming back to the fact that when you say “look to Christ” for what it means to “love” you are using the bible “ethically”, are you not?. You have simply chosen “love” (as only one example I’m sure) as a primary “biblical” ethic that you espouse. So…perhaps I am unclear about your biblical dilemma after all (I’m with you up until cultural conditioning, but then after that, I seem to get lost).
Regarding the issue of homosexuality: I agree with your perspective on the intentionality of sin. With that said, I disagree with your premise. Namely, that there is no choice in homosexual behavior. I think (at least until science proves me wrong) that there very much is a choice. However, I do think it’s a different type of choice than what we are use to. Let me give you an example.
Not sure if you have ever been in the throes of love. If not, I can at least attest to the existence of how love can blind an individual to an otherwise obvious truth. We have all heard stories like:
“a girl begins a relationship with a troubled boy. The boy is no good for her and yet she still dates him because she is in love. In fact, the boy is actually quite damaging to her both physically and mentally. Unfortunately, she’s in love and can’t see the almost obvious truth that she needs to leave this boyfriend before the situation gets out of control.”
Does she have the choice? Yes. Are there things which are preventing her from making the “right” decision? Yes. Does it feel like she really doesn’t have a choice as a result? Yes.
Just like the issue you take with the cultural conditioning of the Bible I take with the issue of homosexuality within our own culture. I think it’s an attitude that has conditioned us to think a certain way, or hold certain presuppositions (choice, freedom, etc.), that we all but have to come to the same conclusion as the culture does.
Cheers for now!
Sarahel
March 10, 2023Regardless if you believe in God or not, read this message!!!
Throughout time, we can see how we have been carefully conditioned coming to this point where we are on the verge of a cashless society. Did you know that the Bible foretold of this event almost 2,000 years ago?
In Revelation 13:16-18, we read,
“He (the false prophet who deceives many by his miracles–Revelation 19:20) causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.
Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666.”
Speaking to the last generation, this could only be speaking of a cashless society. Why’s that? Revelation 13:17 tells us that we cannot buy or sell unless we receive the mark of the beast. If physical money was still in use, we could buy or sell with one another without receiving the mark. This would contradict scripture that states we need the mark to buy or sell!
These verses could not be referring to something purely spiritual as scripture references two physical locations (our right hand or forehead) stating the mark will be on one “OR” the other. If this mark was purely spiritual, it would indicate both places, or one–not one OR the other!
This is where it really starts to come together. It is shocking how accurate the Bible is concerning the implantable RFID microchip. These are notes from a man named Carl Sanders who worked with a team of engineers to help develop this RFID chip:
“Carl Sanders sat in seventeen New World Order meetings with heads-of-state officials such as Henry Kissinger and Bob Gates of the C.I.A. to discuss plans on how to bring about this one-world system. The government commissioned Carl Sanders to design a microchip for identifying and controlling the peoples of the world—a microchip that could be inserted under the skin with a hypodermic needle (a quick, convenient method that would be gradually accepted by society).
Carl Sanders, with a team of engineers behind him, with U.S. grant monies supplied by tax dollars, took on this project and designed a microchip that is powered by a lithium battery, rechargeable through the temperature changes in our skin. Without the knowledge of the Bible (Brother Sanders was not a Christian at the time), these engineers spent one-and-a-half-million dollars doing research on the best and most convenient place to have the microchip inserted.
Guess what? These researchers found that the forehead and the back of the hand (the two places the Bible says the mark will go) are not just the most convenient places, but are also the only viable places for rapid, consistent temperature changes in the skin to recharge the lithium battery. The microchip is approximately seven millimeters in length, .75 millimeters in diameter, about the size of a grain of rice. It is capable of storing pages upon pages of information about you. All your general history, work history, criminal record, health history, and financial data can be stored on this chip.
Brother Sanders believes that this microchip, which he regretfully helped design, is the “mark” spoken about in Revelation 13:16–18. The original Greek word for “mark” is “charagma,” which means a “scratch or etching.” It is also interesting to note that the number 666 is actually a word in the original Greek. The word is “chi xi stigma,” with the last part, “stigma,” also meaning “to stick or prick.” Carl believes this is referring to a hypodermic needle when they poke into the skin to inject the microchip.”
Mr. Sanders asked a doctor what would happen if the lithium contained within the RFID microchip leaked into the body. The doctor replied by saying a terrible sore would appear in that location. This is what the book of Revelation says:
“And the first (angel) went, and poured out his vial on the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore on the men which had the mark of the beast, and on them which worshipped his image” (Revelation 16:2).
You can read more about it here–and to also understand the mystery behind the number 666: https://2RUTH.ORG
The third angel’s warning in Revelation 14:9-11 states,
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.'”
Great hope is in our midst, and is coming in a mighty way–the greatest revival for Jesus in the history of the world where we will see the most souls come to Him of all tribes, tongues, nations, and peoples (Rev. 7:9-10); for we have this promise in God’s Word in the midst of these dark times:
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years (not literal–rather a spiritual label for time spent in eternity); and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while (when the Antichrist and false prophet will rise up and God will test the world).” (Revelation 20:1-3)
“The coming of the lawless one (the Antichrist) is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)”
Who is Barack Obama, and why is he still involved in politics?
So what’s in the name? The meaning of someone’s name can say a lot about a person. God throughout history has given names to people that have a specific meaning tied to their lives. How about the name Barack Obama? Let us take a look at what may be hiding beneath the surface.
Jesus says in Luke 10:18, “…I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
The Hebrew Strongs word (H1299) for “lightning”: “bârâq” (baw-rawk)
In Isaiah chapter 14, verse 14, we read about Lucifer (Satan) saying in his heart:
“I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.”
In the verses in Isaiah that refer directly to Lucifer, several times it mentions him falling from the heights or the heavens. The Hebrew word for the heights or heavens used here is Hebrew Strongs 1116: “bamah”–Pronounced (bam-maw’)
In Hebrew, the letter “Waw” or “Vav” is often transliterated as a “U” or “O,” and it is primarily used as a conjunction to join concepts together. So to join in Hebrew poetry the concept of lightning (Baraq) and a high place like heaven or the heights of heaven (Bam-Maw), the letter “U” or “O” would be used. So, Baraq “O” Bam-Maw or Baraq “U” Bam-Maw in Hebrew poetry similar to the style written in Isaiah, would translate literally to “Lightning from the heights.” The word “Satan” in Hebrew is a direct translation, therefore “Satan.”
When Jesus said to His disciples in Luke 10:18 that He saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, if this were to be spoken by a Jewish Rabbi today influenced by the poetry in the book of Isaiah, he would say these words in Hebrew–the words of Jesus in Luke 10:18 as, and I saw Satan as Baraq O Bam-Maw.
The names of both of Obama’s daughters are Malia and Natasha. If we were to write those names backward (the devil does things backwards) it would be “ailam ahsatan”. Now if we remove the letters that spell “Alah” (Allah being the false god of Islam), we would get “I am Satan”. Mere chance? I do not believe so!
Obama’s campaign logo when he ran as President of the United States in the year 2008 was a sun over the horizon in the west, with the landscape as the flag of the United States. In Islam, they have their own messiah that they are awaiting called the 12th Imam, or the Mahdi (the Antichrist of the Bible), and one prophecy concerning this man’s appearance is the sun rising in the west.
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth—to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people— saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.'” (Revelation 14:6-7)
Why have the words of Jesus in His Gospel accounts regarding His death, burial, and resurrection, been translated into over 3,000 languages, and nothing comes close (the Quran about 110 languages)? Because the same Spirit of God (YHVH) who created all people likewise transcends all people; therefore the power of His Word is not limited by people; while all other religions are man-made, therefore they tend to primarily stay within their own culture. The same God who speaks to all people through His creation of the heavens and earth that draws all people around the world likewise has sent His Word to the ends of the earth so that we may come to personally know Him to be saved in spirit and in truth through His Son Jesus Christ.
Jesus stands alone among the other religions that say to rightly weigh the scales of good and evil and to make sure you have done more good than bad in this life. Is this how we conduct ourselves justly in a court of law? Bearing the image of God, is this how we project this image into reality?
Our good works cannot save us. If we step before a judge, being guilty of a crime, the judge will not judge us by the good we have done, but rather by the crimes we have committed. If we as fallen humanity, created in God’s image, pose this type of justice, how much more a perfect, righteous, and Holy God?
God has brought down His moral laws through the 10 commandments given to Moses at Mt. Siani. These laws were not given so we may be justified, but rather that we may see the need for a savior. They are the mirror of God’s character of what He has written in our hearts, with our conscious bearing witness that we know that it is wrong to steal, lie, dishonor our parents, murder, and so forth.
We can try and follow the moral laws of the 10 commandments, but we will never catch up to them to be justified before a Holy God. That same word of the law given to Moses became flesh about 2,000 years ago in the body of Jesus Christ. He came to be our justification by fulfilling the law, living a sinless perfect life that only God could fulfill.
The gap between us and the law can never be reconciled by our own merit, but the arm of Jesus is stretched out by the grace and mercy of God. And if we are to grab on, through faith in Him, He will pull us up being the one to justify us. As in the court of law, if someone steps in and pays our fine, even though we are guilty, the judge can do what is legal and just and let us go free. That is what Jesus did almost 2,000 years ago on the cross. It was a legal transaction being fulfilled in the spiritual realm by the shedding of His blood with His last word’s on the cross crying out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
For God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23). This is why in Isaiah chapter 53, where it speaks of the coming Messiah and His soul being a sacrifice for our sins, why it says it pleased God to crush His only begotten Son.
This is because the wrath that we deserve was justified by being poured out upon His Son. If that wrath was poured out on us, we would all perish to hell forever. God created a way of escape by pouring it out on His Son whose soul could not be left in Hades but was raised and seated at the right hand of God in power.
So now when we put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:14), where God no longer sees the person who deserves His wrath, but rather the glorious image of His perfect Son dwelling in us, justifying us as if we received the wrath we deserve, making a way of escape from the curse of death; now being conformed into the image of the heavenly man walking in a new nature, and no longer in the image of the fallen man Adam.
Now what we must do is repent and put our trust and faith in the savior, confessing and forsaking our sins, and to receive His Holy Spirit that we may be born again (for Jesus says we must be born again to see and enter the Kingdom of God in John chapter 3). This is not just head knowledge of believing in Jesus, but rather receiving His words, taking them to heart, so that we may truly be transformed into the image of God. Where we no longer live to practice sin, but rather turn from our sins and practice righteousness through faith in Him in obedience to His Word by reading the Bible.
Our works cannot save us, but they can condemn us; it is not that we earn our way into everlasting life, but that we obey our Lord Jesus Christ:
Jesus says,
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)
“And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him.” (Hebrews 5:9)
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.’
Then He who sat on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new.’ And He said to me, ‘Write, for these words are true and faithful.’
And He said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'” (Revelation 21:1-8)