Wednesday, March 28, 2012

The View of God: Christian or Non-Christian, Not Black or White

Recently, with the death of Trayvon Martin , it has become clear a racial-divide is still visible in America.




I am not here to speak on the case as it is: honestly, I do not know enough to form an opinion. I also am not here to say whether or not the outrage that has rippled through the country is just or not; it may very well be (to an extent). What I am here to do is to serve the Word from God.



I do not know the ins or outs of the Trayvon Martin case: I have witnessed rallies with, what appears to be, a diverse group of people; but, I have also observed individuals taking stances, not against crime or injustice that was possibly perpetrated, but against the opposite race from what oneself is. (Note: I have witnessed these actions against the opposite-race, via salacious word, from, not just one ethnicity but, many)



"for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him." (Romans 10:12 HCSB)



Christian: Let us not allow the evil of the world, satan and his army, to take our eyes off the teaching of scripture. I understand the ease at which this can take place: it happened 2,000 years ago with the illegal arrest, illegal trial, illegal conviction, and illegal murder of the redeemer of all peoples—Jesus Christ. The Sanhedrin, then, had a goal in mind: and they were going to accomplish it no matter what; little did they know, God was applying His sovereign will to it all; directing the most atrocious crime and, at the same time, most beautiful act of sacrificial love, of all time.



There is not one God to Caucasian-man, one God to African-American man, and one God to Native American man: And this is what is being written by the Apostle Paul to a group of Christians in Rome; there is not one God to the Jews and another to the Gentiles; the Lord our God is Lord our God to all men. Jesus came to earth 2,000 years ago to redeem and provide a way for all people-groups; not just one.



When it snows, it has been said that no two snowflakes are the same: Wilson Bentley, whose nickname was "snowflake", was so enthralled with this idea that he dedicated his time to photograph over 2500 snowflakes. His findings showed that a snowflake is a hexagon with six tips or dendrites forming a perfectly symmetrical design; however, there never was a duplicate. Ever. Dwell on this: millions and millions of snowflakes and never a duplicate; to me, that is a beautiful example from God—who controls the entire universe; the sun, the rain, the snow, the lightning, the wind, the storms—that He takes enjoyment in His diverse creation.



All human beings have differences: we walk different; talk different; have dark and light skin; our hair color is different; some of us don’t even have hair; anatomically, though, we are all the same—we are all in need of a savior from our sin-filled nature. We need that, both, before and after we meet Jesus Christ: He saves us and then keeps us on the narrow path to Heaven. This is the goal before all other goals—to spread the tremendous news of Jesus Christ. The Gospel can and will cure all.



We are all very different, but all have the same need; and because there is only one way to fulfill that need, in Jesus Christ, this fact always brings us back to the same commonality—we were made in His likeness to praise, adore, and worship Him, and spread the news.



V.C Grounds said this: "We are also the same in our need of salvation. And there is just one way. Anyone, anywhere, anytime, who calls on Jesus Christ in faith experiences the destiny-changing wonder of God's redemptive love. The one and only Savior has been provided for all of us."



"that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction." (Romans 3:22 HCSB)




Being a Christian, yes, is a narrow road; but it is not an exclusive road. The Gospel is for whoever believes and has faith in the coming of Jesus Christ, believes and has faith in the resurrection, and, because of that, it changes your entire life, you are never the same; that produces the fruit—the "good works". They are all tied together. If you are missing one of those: 1) you have never met Jesus Christ truly; or 2) you are in need of repentance: something, somewhere, is holding you back, something is numbing you, which is allowing you to toss salacious hurtful-words to a human being you view as "smaller" of "less-worthy". Sharing the Gospel involves repentance, the Holy Spirit, and Baptism: If you are truly new, truly born-again, that does not mean you will not fall short or sin, but you will never dwell there in it without conviction, you will repent, and you will get back on that narrow path.

"Or is God for Jews only? Is He not also for Gentiles? Yes, for Gentiles too" (Romans 3:29 HCSB)

"He sent the message to the Israelites, proclaiming the good news of peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all." (Acts 10:36 HCSB)

"Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6 HCSB)

"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it." (Acts 4:12 HCSB)

"and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator." (Colossians 3:10 HCSB)

Read it: this is not rocket-science; I take what the Bible says literally. When the judgment comes (and it will) God, the just judger, will either welcome us because he sees Jesus Christ living inside of us, or He will depart us because He never knew us(Matthew 7:23).



That grace is available for all peoples. The choice is yours. Have no doubts.

9 After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!
(Revelation 7:9-10)