Unbelief

There are atheists who believe there is no God, and we should not have the right to worship Him. Yes, there are those who are so self absorbed that they think that they are the all in all of earthly existence. Either you believe, as they believe, that there is nothing to believe in or you are somehow less important and intelligent than they are. I guess that makes some sense to them, in a weirdly convoluted way.

These are excellent examples of distorted thinking, vain imagination and a reprobate mind. “As a bisexual, I obviously don't believe anything is wrong with being gay or bi or trisexual (try anything). I further don't believe in hell. I believe we go to another dimension where we bathe in true love of god and our soul group, review our past lives and plan with our group who will play what roles in our next incarnation. We learn how our actions affected people in the recent life we had here, and choose what lessons we will learn next time. There is no judgment in this dimension, only understanding love, with zero punishment. 'To understand all is to forgive all' and I believe god gets who we are and loves us unconditionally. The concept of consequence is built on good and bad, I think. I don't believe in bad or devil or evil. I don't believe in judgments that things are better than other things. I guess there are consequences from what we choose while we are here, but not punishment on the other side. I do believe that good can be found in everything, if you can raise your perspective high enough to see the big picture.” Where is the yang? Does the ying stand alone? What happened to the equal and opposite reaction that goes along with the ‘for every action’? Looks like some people want to say they believe in God but don’t think He believes in His own Word. In reference to the Bible, one gay man told me: “I prefer another book of FAIRY TALES...OZ has much more personal/universal truth and inspiration for me!!!” He obviously didn’t think this was insulting my belief system, or he didn’t care. The Bible says that a man is right in his own eyes.

Many LGBT people think that they are hated by Christians and that Christians think they are going to Hell. The going to Hell part is true, but no more than any other person. Anybody who rejects the salvation of Christ is going to Hell; LGBT folks don’t have a special direct path. A real Christian, not a Christian in name only, has love in their heart for LGBT people, as they do for everyone else. That is why a Christian will present the plan of salvation to all people, including LGBT people. This is an act of love and concern; not a form of condemnation or rejection.

I don’t want to seem like I am singling out the LGBT community. There is plenty of sin, of all types, to go around. The Bible lists many things that separate people from God. I chose the LGBT folks because the LGBT community has chosen to be in the spotlight lately, as they fight for what they consider to be equal rights.

The main thing we need to realize is that when you present the message of salvation to anyone, you may not be the one who can have a positive effect by your witness; but that you have planted a seed (if you have done it with love). Someone else may be able to water and fertilize the seed you planted. Not every seed you plant will lead to salvation. The example Jesus used in the parable of the sower was that the planting of seeds gives differing results. However, just because the results can be different doesn’t mean we should stop sowing: the last seed we sow may be the fruitful seed. We must also realize that not everyone will be saved. There are times when we need to shake off the dust from our feet (Mark 6:11), cast not your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6) and/or let our peace return to us (Matthew 10:13). There are those who are beyond redemption: not because it is impossible for God, but rather it is impossible for them to receive what God offers. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, remember 1 Peter 4:14: “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” In 2 Peter 2:12 we are told that there are those who “speak evil of the things they don’t understand”.

The reason we need to love these people enough to tell them about the Lord now, is that there will come a time when we will not be able to do so. Ezekiel, speaking for God in chapter 3 says: “I have made thee a watchman on the wall….: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul.” What this means is that if I don’t tell you about the saving Grace of the Bible, I will be held at least partially responsible for your going to Hell, but if I have told you, I have done what is required of me, by God. However, there are times when you don’t keep beating your head against a stone wall. There are times when it is better to kick the dust from your feet, and let your peace return to you, so that you can concentrate on other more productive areas where your testimony will prosper.

I think the ultimate in unbelief would be equated with those people who are described in Matthew 28:17 “after He rose again, saw Him but some still doubted”. I would love to know what was in their minds. Could this be the mindset of those pastors and teachers in the end time apostate church? There are people who call themselves pastor and reverend who diminish the Bible and even the basic fundamentals of Christianity. Some of these people even call their groups a church. The Bible says that it would be better for these people if they had never been born. Hebrews 10:29 tells us: “Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?”. Secular Humanism and the Church of Satan are recognized religions in the United States. 2 Peter 2:1-4 tells us there are “false prophets among you”. 2 Thessalonians 2:3 tell us there will be a falling away in the end times. 1 Timothy 4:1-2 says there will be a departing from the faith. 2 Timothy says that in the last days people will not endure sound doctrine.

Here is something to think about: What did Jesus do for me that He did for Noah, Job, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, David, Solomon, and the Apostles. He called me to be with Him. To put it another way; He sought me until I found Him. Chances are if you are reading this, He has done the same for you. 2 Peter 3:9 tell us: “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

There are those who have said that I think I know everything, because I present what I have learned from God as being true. All I say to people like that is; you can learn the same things I have learned, if you will take the time and effort to study the Word of God, just like I did. The Bible says that if you truly seek God, with a humble heart, He will show Himself to you. Hebrews 11:6 says: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him”. I do not present my opinion as being Gods. If I give my opinion, I am careful to let the reader know.

I cannot give anyone the gift of Salvation. That power belongs only to God, because He is the one who paid the price for that salvation. All I can do is guide you to the ‘Fountain of Life’, but it will be up to you to drink. I can lead you, but it is up to you to respond when the Holy Spirit calls you. Truthfully speaking, if you haven’t felt the call of the Spirit, you really do have something to worry about. Are you missing the call, been deceived, or are you so hard hearted you will never be willing to see the truth?

I understand that Christians are not perfect and sometimes are found to approach things in a less than loving, or even understandable, way. I recently heard about those described as granola Christians, which are flakes and nuts. There are also leopard Christians who believe the Bible is only right in spots. Please forgive us our faults as God has only made us perfect in His sight.

The one thing that carries the harshest consequence of all is the rejection of the Christ, as your personal Lord and Savior. In comparison, everything else pales. That, my friend, is unbelief.

Rick Rahn