So, this week, we're wrestling with some really difficult questions.
And today's is perhaps the most difficult of all.
Someone texted me and they asked this.
"Why do we seem to take the apostle Paul's words about homosexuality
way more seriously than we take Jesus' words about divorce?"
Can I be up front with you?
In the next few minutes I'm not going to answer that question.
But I'm going to tell you something that I've learned about answering questions.
I've learned that when people ask a question about the Bible,
there is a whole lot of background
and a story to that question.
And so when I read this question, you know,
homosexuality and divorce,
I just wanted to ask the person,
"Well, tell me the story.
What makes you ask that?"
Do you have a church experience where people are
super judgmental and quick to speak
and slow to listen
because you, or someone you love, was dealing with same-sex attraction?
Or, maybe, did you go through a divorce
and like your husband or your ex-wife
pursued it and they cheated?
And they got divorced and your pastor or your priest didn't say a word?
I have a feeling that we don't just ask questions out of the blue
because we're just curious.
But we've been through something really powerful
and it makes us want to ask.
And so here's what I've learned.
To be quick
to listen
and slow to speak.
And so if you get a really tough
spiritual question like this,
I want to encourage you to open up your Bible to the book of James.
Because James 1:19 says this,
James says, "Take note of this.
When you're dealing with people of different behaviors,
different beliefs, you're going to be so tempted
just to speak what you know and what you think.
But one of the smartest things you can do
is just to wait and to listen.
Try to understand.
To empathize and show sympathy to people.
Get the whole story and then you'll have all the information
that you need to answer the question well.
I remember the pastor from the home church that I grew up in.
And as I started studying for the ministry to become a pastor,
I remember that he gave this little bit of advice
that I almost never take.
But I should.
He said, "Mike,
"smart pastors
"are the last person in the room to speak."
He says, "Wait,
"just listen.
"Try to understand everyone around the table.
"Ask good questions.
"Before you give your opinion, before you make your point,
"try to understand.
"Because the wise people want to know where people are coming from
"before they answer with God's truth.
And so as you're wrestling with questions of divorce
or sexuality or whatever,
remember James' wise words.
"Be quick to listen, slow to speak
"and slow to become angry."
That will help you live the righteous life
that God desires.
Let's pray.
God, It's so
tempting for me to open my mouth
and just share.
And, yet, you tell us that's not a wise way to live.
God, we live in a culture where everyone is ready to express
their opinion and be true to themselves.
And so we really need your help to do this.
It's not natural for us.
God, would you give us your Holy Spirit
that we could have the kind of humility that this takes?
Would you give us a concern for people,
no matter what their background
and no matter what their questions?
I pray Heavenly Father, that you would give us all the wisdom that we need
to be a blessing
to the people you put in our lives.
We pray this all in Jesus name.
Amen.
For more infomation >> Roger Stone is a Batman Villain - Duration: 3:55. 
For more infomation >> Tony Tolen volgde de vooropleiding SDV op Panta Rhei. Hoe is het nu met hem? - Duration: 1:27. 
For more infomation >> Floor Jonkman volgde kader en SDV op Panta Rhei en is nu dierenartsassistente. - Duration: 1:38. 
Không có nhận xét nào:
Đăng nhận xét