07/20/18 BETTER BE READY
"WE'RE NOT READY FOR PAUL" the Conference Chair spewed, as I stated a N. T. principle.
"I am," I asserted.
YOU BETTER BE TOO.
Whatever the Biblical revelation, instruction, command is, we better be ready to obey, and follow. In the post I was referring to a time when I was part of a "Bible believing" denomination, but like so many others, our Conference was taking steps to address (actually, sidestep) the homosexual problem in society and The Church. I stood in opposition to the proposed policy change that was being discussed. My argument was based on God's word, as found in Romans 1. The Chairman of the Conference did not deny what Paul had said, but he pointed out that our denomination was not ready to follow Paul's directives. I continued to stand firm and argue that I was ready to follow Paul, when the chairman threatened to have me removed from the floor of the Conference. I remained standing and made it clear that he would have to remove me before I would change my position. The Chair chose to refer the issue to a "committee" rather than pursue it during that Conference session. There were other pastors that shared my commitment, but sadly, the denomination was leaning toward "compromising" (selling out) the Divine directive in the Bible. And yes, I did leave that denomination. I have made hard choices throughout my life and those choices were not always understood by friends and family.
There have been several times that I stood on Biblical truth, while friends, family and other loved ones chose to disobey God, by claiming that we are not "spiritual" enough to follow God's revelation, as if an unreachable level of spirituality and maturity is required in order to obey God.
God's rule, God's commands, God's instructions do not depend on our maturity or spirituality. When God says it, that settles it. If we are not "ready," or "spiritual," enough, then that does not change God's revelation. If we are not ready for God's rule in our lives, we will face God's judgment.
Sometimes we have to stand against society, against the government, against "Christendom," against our denomination, against friends, against family and other loved ones. BUT WE SHOULD NEVER STAND AGAINST GOD.
God does not expect us to obey Him, based on our own opinions or based on the popularity of His rule. Regardless of the reason that someone else is, "NOT READY," to follow and obey God, we better be ready, because God is not changing His mind or His requirements, based on our rebellion.
