No Easy Answers

Last week, I had two friends call me to ask what they should do. Both of them were trying to figure out how to help their kids navigate our culture’s current struggle with gender dysphoria.

They were conflicted because there seem to be so many different messages being shouted from the rooftops of society. Even within Christian circles, many highly influential leaders are saying opposing things when it comes to the topic of gender identity. With society’s rhetoric getting more extreme and divisive, it is easy to simply agree with the loudest voice. But the truth is - there are no easy answers.

But just because there are no easy answers, doesn’t mean there are no answers. 

The Bible is the guidebook for everyone—not just Christians—who are seeking the kind of abundant life that God designed. Yet, these days, the Bible is becoming increasingly disregarded and disparaged by non-Christians and Christians alike. 

Today, powerful voices are using individual’s painful experiences with gender dysphoria to try and rid themselves of God’s authority over their lives. But we need to remember that we are not the first civilization that has tried to get rid of the need for God and His Word. Throughout history, many have tried to usurp the authority of Scripture, but no matter how hard people have tried, the Bible has withstood the test of time. 

The Bible can give us answers because it is not swayed by the emotional whims of society. The Bible is not subject to the influence of our leaders or the cunning craftiness of their messages. The Bible boldly calls sin, sin and righteousness, righteousness. 

Can the Bible be misinterpreted and misused? Absolutely. Yet, when the Bible is interpreted by people filled with God’s Spirit, accountable to a Christ-centered community, and filtered through reason and experience - life-giving truth is discovered. 

If we will anchor ourselves to the Bible in this way, there is no end to the good it can bring. Remember the words of Jesus, “If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, you will bear much good fruit.”

As the Apostle Paul said in the face of Roman culture long ago, “Let God be true and every man a liar.”

— David
 

God's Dream

When our eyes have been blinded by the searing pain of deadly shootings, the heavy burden of poverty's ramifications, and the crippling curse that sin has brought upon humanity—we need a vision. 

Like Martin Luther King Jr. said at a dark, tumultuous time in our nation’s history: 

“We've got some difficult days ahead. But it doesn't matter with me now. Because I've been to the mountaintop…and I've looked over. And I've seen the promised land….'mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.'”

Or when Matisyahu sings over our world full of war and hate violence: 

"Sometimes in my tears I drown, 
But I never let it get me down
So when negativity surrounds
I know some day it'll all turn around
Because
All my life I've been waiting for
I've been praying for
For the people to say
That we don't wanna fight no more
They'll be no more wars
And our children will play"

Like when Paul the Apostle writes to a painfully persecuted minority: 

“God chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight… With all wisdom and understanding he made known to us the mystery of his will…to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.”

And like when my old friend Zach Vestney sang to hearts worn down by the  ceaseless, gnawing of sin's curse: 

“We will soon be with Him forevermore,
where we can walk with Him on that crystal shore.
And talk with all the of saints of old.
And bow before the mighty throne of God."

One day we are going to see the full revelation of God’s dream. We get glimpses here and there. Prophets remind us from time to time. And the Scriptures stand firm, like a soldier pointing the way to that perfect day when our faith becomes sight. 

Onward Christian soldiers. Keep your eyes on the prize.

This Sunday we will start a series on Ephesians and we'll take a look at God’s dream.
 
David