THOUGHT CONTROL

Do you see what a basic change there has been instituted in the law of man? The law of any country was established to protect the innocent against physical and monetary harm. Both are tangible entities. I mean that others can actually see physical harm and they can determine if the innocent has been robbed in some way.

We have changed the law to include the very thoughts of someone, actually everyone. If you believe in your mind that you should not do anything to facilitate a ceremony that opposes your beliefs, you will be punished by the law of the land. Just for your thoughts!

You have caused no physical or monetary damage to the other person. You have merely hurt their feelings and you will be punished for merely hurting their feelings!

It is impossible to know what anyone else is thinking. Therefore, it is impossible to judge such a matter. The people that operate the bakery that would not facilitate the wedding ceremony of a homosexual couple are being punished for their thoughts: for only hurting the feelings of someone!

The law has been spun around to where it punishes the innocent and protects the guilty. You see the homosexual couple should have just gone somewhere else, to another bakery where the owner did not feel it was wrong to facilitate their desires. However, because they wanted vengeance for getting their feelings hurt, they sued. They are guilty of aggression. And a judge recommended that a $135,000 fine be levied against the innocent people that own the bakery!

Laws against discrimination are laws against thoughts. One can be accused of thoughts that do not agree with others thoughts, but there is no harm to anyone because of different thoughts. Only if the other person thinks they have been harmed and then only their feelings have been hurt!

When I was young I heard it said, many times, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me”.

Now, even thoughts can hurt me!

SAME-SEX MARRIAGE

Most of my brothers and sisters are upset about the case before the Supreme Court here (in the USA).

It seems to me that we have not studied Scripture enough to understand just what we should do about it.

We have yet to understand that this part of life is a test. It is not a test of nations, but a test of each human (Well, people make nations). Each and everyone is tested to see if they have the desire to live with God.

We read that nothing is impossible with God and we think that God would already know if someone would pass any test that God would give us. However, if the outcome of a test is already known it would not really be a test. At one time I thought that God always knew that I would turn to Him, but now I know God and if He chooses to hide the result of my test, from Himself, He certainly could, because nothing is impossible with Him.

The Bible is full of the tests of humans. Adam and Eve failed, just as we all do. God did not say to them ‘You know you are naked, because you ate from the tree’, but He asked them if they ate from the tree. Sin separates us from God and because of that He hates it. He does not look into the future to see sin, therefore He does not know if we will pass any test that is given.

Another example is when Abraham’s faith was tested. When God was sure of the outcome of the test, He stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac and said (through the angel of the Lord) “Now” I know that you fear God. (Gen 22:12).

It should be understood that sin has a purpose, because if God hates it and yet does not stop it there has to be a reason. If God stopped sin there could not be a test.

So, you ask what this has to do with same-sex marriage? Well, if God does not interfere and stop sin, then should we?

Don’t bother over thinking the question. God has already given the answer.

(Rev 22:10&11 NIV) Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near. Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.”

In other words, do not interfere with their test. It would only taint the result. That is not to say that we should not point out that it is wrong. It will only lead to even more sin and we would be less than compassionate if we kept silent.

I must obey Revelation 22:11, so I will not stand in their way.

THINK LIKE GOD

Let the Holy Spirit, that was given to you when you were baptized, teach you to think like God. You already know how to think like humans. We are born with the ability to think like humans and humans do not think like God.

I had to unlearn almost everything that I thought I knew when I started to understand God’s Word. It is unnatural to; do to others as you would have them do to you, but that is what our Father wants of us. God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites, because they thought like humans, but He only gave Christians two rules. That is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30&32 NIV) Do this and you will live. (Luke 10:28 NIV)

You see, the Ten Commandments only address specific sins, but the second royal law covers all sins of men. The command, “You shall not steal” (Exo 20:15 NIV) only covers theft, but the second royal law, not only covers theft, but all sins against other humans: even sins against God.

The church that I attend has a stone set at the entrance with the Ten Commandments inscribed on it, but if they used the mind that God gave them, it would only have the two royal commands on it.

Let me illustrate with an example. Suppose that you own and operate a bakery. Suppose a homosexual couple inters and wants you to bake a cake for a wedding planed for them. You know that homosexuality is a sin against God, so you refuse to bake the cake, because you do not want to help them with their sin.

You see, if we all thought as God wanted us too, there would be no uproar over whether or not a Christian should bake a cake for a homosexual event. Do you want others to tell you what to do? Then do not attempt to tell others what to do.

You may rightly say that practicing homosexuality is a sin, but homosexuals already know this. That is why they so loudly claim it is not. However, it is their sin, not ours. It is a sin against God. God makes humans male and female and it is an affront to God to try to change what He has done. He states clearly in first Corinthians 6:9 that homosexuality is wrong.

Obey the second royal law. If I were a practicing homosexual the best thing that a Christian could do for me is to ask me if I know God. That shows real love. To refuse the homosexual service only shows someone pious in their own beliefs, and it does nothing for the sinner. I say “practicing” homosexual, because it is not the same as someone who has homosexual tendencies. I have other tendencies, but I ask God for strength to overcome them and then I try to apply that strength.

If you will only apply the second royal law to this particular problem, there would be no law suit. As I see it, there are only two possible outcomes for the practicing homosexual. The first is that he or she will admit, to themselves, that what they are doing is wrong and try to change, or they will go somewhere else, where they do not have to listen to talk about God. Either way, the Christian has solved the problem and without all the uproar. That is to say, the Christian’s problem, not necessarily the homosexual’s problem. Everyone must solve their own problems.

(Mat 5:38-48 NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

May I be so bold to say that if a homosexual couple forces you, a Christian, to bake a cake for their “wedding”, bake them two cakes and while you interact with them speak about your Father. It is the same as someone forcing you to walk a mile: walk two miles and talk all the way. Pray for them, that they might consider there is a God that wants to love them. Make it as plain as you can that God is like them in that He will not love someone that rejects Him.

Rejection turns love into hate. We make a mistake when we think that God is not like we are. We are made in His image, meaning we are like Him and if we are like Him then He is like us. We do not possess the power of our Father, but when it comes to the attribute of love, we are the same. He does not reject anyone; until they reject Him. Even then He will accept and love them, if they change and accept Him.

Pray for your enemies that they may become your brothers.

Think like God.