I have been thinking a lot about the state of the world today and the role that the church plays in it. To my dismay it has become evident that the whole christian church has missed the boat, their philosophy is their own and not that of Jesus. Honestly, the church calls themselves christian, which means that they believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The teach that the New Testament is the teachings and life of Jesus, so why don't they demonstrate in their preaching and lifestyle that they are believers. How did they miss the boat, and why do they continue to teach hate and intolerance. Each minister, pastor, priest, preacher and teacher has to go through extensive training via seminary to become ordained, yet they continue to focus primarily on the Old Testament.
This is a major dilemma for the church, because they are in the wrong. How did they miss the message that was sent and shown to them at Calvary, when Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world? How is it 2000 years later they still haven't figured it out. Don't they know that if Jesus came back today that the modern church would be just as condemned as the church was 2000 years ago. That the religious leaders haven't changed, they are still doing the same things that Jesus told them was wrong way back then. See, the problem is God gave 2 Covenants to the faithful, the first is discussed at great lengths in the Old Testament, it was governed and presided over by the Priests, the church was a tent that God had given exacting specifications on, there was a section in which God himself resided. This was called the Holy of Holies and only the High Priest was allowed to enter. Sacrifices and atonement was made by the priests on behalf of the people and the law of the ten commandments was the governing laws of the time.
Problem is that Covenant ended when Christ chose to die at Calvary. His blood is the bridge that crosses the gap of original sin. No longer did we need the priest to intercede on our behalf, we now have a direct link through Christ. He became the ultimate sacrifice, and through him we are saved and granted Salvation. The old covenant between God and Abraham ended when as Jesus died the temple veil tore in two. A person can now only be saved through Jesus, as He said "I am the way the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father accept through Me." The new covenant that God gave to us through Jesus was much simpler, and gentler than the old covenant. No longer did the Ten Commandments hold sway, because Jesus gave new commandments. He gave a new direction and mission to the church. The problem is the church by the time of Christ had grown into a bureaucracy and as with any large body is resistant to change. Here we are 2000 years later and the church is still teaching out of the Old Testament, shoring up their fences with hatred, fear, intolerance and unfortunately they are terribly mistaken.
Being saved by Grace which is what the New Covenant is called, is all about love, patience, acceptance, and good will. We are commanded to go out and be fishers of men, to give our testimony and lead others to Christ for salvation. We were given just a few commandments to follow, Love one another as you love yourself, Children obey your parents so that your days may be many, go out and be fishers of men are the commandments that show that the face of God had changed, had become more tolerant and forgiving. In this day and age the commandments have been integrated into our law system and protect all people. These are the guiding principles that we all strive to live by. However, each denomination still denies anyone who doesn't believe exactly like they do, still cling to the old testament with was called being saved under the Law. Law being Deuteronomy and Leviticus and the Ten Commandments.
There are so many things that they modern church preaches against that stem directly from the old testament and are repealed by the teachings of Jesus. One of the things I a talking about is Homosexuality, in the Old Testament it was considered an abomination and punishable by death. But in the New Testament there is something said that is totally different and keeps being over looked and not comprehended by hundreds of theologians and that is troubling that these scholars don't even believe what they claim as the gospel. In Romans same sex interaction is again addressed, but this time you should read the passages very carefully because there is something hidden in them that is very enlightening and important for everyone to understand. See it starts out something like this, bear with me I am doing this totally from memory. When a man burns for lust for another and a woman yearns for another working that which is unseemly, those that do not keep God in their mind and heart will be turned over to a reprobate mind, and they become hater, backbiters, etc. the punishment of their ways are death. However, further reading reveals that those that keep God in their hearts and mind receive the recompense of their ways is meet. This is very important because it means that those of us that are gay and believe in God, are not forsaken, we are not an abomination, that we receive here on earth the recompense or payment for the error of their ways is meet, meaning we shall receive our punishment if you want to think of it that way here (meet).
So those that teach and think that you cannot be gay and christian aren't really christian either. For they have missed the boat, they are clinging to the old testament like it is a life line and all it is, is an example to live a good life by. The old testament was created to control the large crowd of refugees that were liberated from the pharaoh by Moses, and led into the wilderness of the desert. Maintaining order and discipline would have been a nightmare and almost impossible if not for the ten commandments. These laws and rules were put in place to ensure that compliance was mandatory, and the punishments for breaking them was swift and vicious, to ensure that they were obeyed. But in when Jesus came into the world the wandering in the desert was over, society and a nation were born and being ruled. There were no longer any need for them or the punishments described in exodus and leviticus. The old way wasn't working any longer and the church was taking advantage of the people and doing things that angered Jesus. So He set out to show them by example how to live a life of purity and faith, He gave examples and extolled virtues in His sermons, He encouraged acceptance of everyone, no matter who or what they were. He commanded that we love one another, to harm no one, to be obedient, to forgive, resist retribution and to bring His message of love and forgiveness to the world.
He condemned those who judged, He protected the weak and the lowly, and he walked with the common people. He loved everyone equally. We were to learn by his example, and to preach that God was a benevolent and forgiving God that loved us and cared for us because He had made us. The message Jesus brought was of hope and love, kindness and understanding. So why has the church missed this, why do they splinter and fracture over idiosyncratic beliefs. Why are there so many different denominations all proclaiming that they are right and if you don't believe like them then you are truly not saved and unworthy of their help or support. Why are we still hell bent on persecuting those that are different then us, judging them and casting aspersions upon them. It isn't our place to judge anyone, because none of us are blameless, we were all born into original sin and separated forever from the love of God until we come to accept and are saved by Jesus. How hard is it to see and understand? When are they going to get it? When will the church stop misleading people and embrace the truth the Jesus is the Son of God, and become real christian's and faithful to His teachings?
It is so important for us to understand that no one has the right to judge us, tell us what we believe is right or wrong, and further we have a shining example of how we are supposed to live our life's and how we are supposed to act and react. It isn't hard and Jesus is patient, and if you truly believe and are a christian you will understand that the church is wrong, and Jesus even made a provision for those of us who would eventually come to realize that the church is off track and heading for a big surprise when He comes again. See Jesus told his followers about the church, warned them actually and gave the following provision to keep us safe from the wiles and pitfalls of the church..He said "When to or three are gathered there, I shall be also." Amazing isn't it that Jesus had enough foresight to see that the church wasn't going to be the body to save the people that they were going to have to come directly to him and they didn't need to be in a huge congregation to do it. They only had to have faith and worship him, with just two or three the Lord would be there.
Jesus's message is quite simple really Love each other and everything, be kind and gentle, practice forgiveness, extend understanding to everyone, and don't judge because what is right for you may not be right for someone else. The easiest way to be a real christian is to ask yourself at each juncture "What would Jesus do", or WWJD. Without a doubt something each of us should learn how to ask. So, if you are not accepted by your church because you are different, or gay or just don't believe exactly along the same lines as them, be assured that you are not wrong, because God loves you and created you just as you are. We are all flawed and imperfect and that is what makes us unique and totally human. Love yourself and your fellow man, be helpful, kind, caring and compassionate and you cannot go wrong.
As always my hopes and dreams are with you,
Uncle B
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