Do What is Pleasing to the Lord

What were you thinking?! Have you ever found yourself asking this question while listening to someone speak or while reading a letter? My pastor was clever enough to ask this question of the Apostle Paul (without any negative implications) as we examined Romans 6:1, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?" (NASB). The answer is an obvious "nuh-uh," but I never before thought to ask myself the reason why Paul addressed this issue. It seems reasonable to assume that he spends time discussing this because there were those who had crept into the church defending the idea of going on sinning because more grace would be given.

One of the odd things you begin to notice as a Christian is the temptation to embrace this line of thinking. I will never be able to prove this (until Heaven) but I have sneaking suspicion that this is one of the Devil's favorite means of tempting believers to sin. Maybe it is just my own personal experience, but I have had to fight this kind of thinking for my entire walk with the Lord. I work hard at hating this kind of reasoning because it is deadly to the one who wants nothing more than to do what pleases God.

Again, maybe it is just me again, but I have a difficult time relating to those who have no problem continuing on in their sinful ways and lifestyle. Why is it that some professing Christians are able to comfortably remain in sin? I would suggest to you that it is one of two things: (1) they are Christians who have strayed, and as my pastor says, "strayed into the far country;" or (2) they were never Christians to begin with and will always be more comfortable in sin and darkness.

"For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:14, NASB). How is it that Paul can make such a grand statement? Because Christians were present with Jesus Christ as he died on the cross and rose again. How exactly were we present? Not in time and space, but in a representative way. You see, Christ is the believer's representative and therefore we died with Him and rose with Him. In fact, positionally we are with Christ in the heavens: "and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:6, NASB). This brings me back to Romans 6:14: sin is not our master any longer! This is wonderful to consider because even though Christians continue to sin, when we sin it is as free people who hate such actions and seek godliness. Before Christ we were slaves to sin and had no choice but to sin.

The other extreme to those who believe in continuing to sin because of God's never-ending grace, is the perspective that Roman Catholics have: grace-plus-works based salvation. Most conversations I've had with Roman Catholics about Justification have gone something like this:

Me: "Romans 3:21-28 clearly demonstrate that justification is by grace alone through faith alone, apart from any works at all."

Roman Catholic: "Since you believe you're justified by faith alone, what's to stop you from sinning and living however you want to?"

Me: "Justification is through faith alone, but Christians do good works out of love for what Christ has done for them. Said another way, we are justified by faith alone, but a true faith is never alone."

Inevitably these conversations always wind up at Romans 6, and I've pointed out to more than one Roman Catholic that chapter 6 is preceded by chapters 3 and 4. Is it any wonder that those who yet remain in their sins adopt the argument Paul is here refuting? We have to be careful because it is not a matter of being a moderate between those who continue to sin because of grace, and works-righteousness. By a complete contrast, the gospel really is good news because justification is not dependent on good works that we perform. Yet at the same time, once we are justified we are to do good works. Both of these points are vital to the Christian understanding of the gospel and to the life we are to live.

Christian, spend your time trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord (Ephesians 5:10), for this is the fruit of the Light of the gospel (Ephesians 5:9).

The Sin of Inconvenience

Politics. Politics is something I can discuss with someone from an opposite perspective, and I am able to do so with a patient approach. Baseball is something else I can do that with ... even those Yankees fans. In fact, I'm pretty patient towards the vast majority of things that would fall under the umbrella of religious discussion. But last week I discovered a topic that I do not have it in me to take a patient approach. That issue is abortion.

A friend of Emily's (and a new friend of mine) posted the following picture on facebook:

 

I'm not a huge facebook-er, but I do try to skim it from time to time, and this managed to show up in my feed (which is quite a feat considering I only subscribe to close friends and family). I remember casually taking note of the picture thinking to myself: "good stuff," and then I saw there were multiple comments left. Curiosity got the best of me, and I was compelled to see what all the rage was about. The first few were what I expected: Christians offering their rightful agreement. Last, and awkwardly was a comment left by a pro-abortionist picking a fight with the grammar, and trying to point out inconsistencies of Christians who don't likewise mourn for the loss of skin-cells that die every day. 

My trusty HTC Incredible Android phone was where I first stumbled upon the soon-to-be warzone, so the comment I left was 140-ish characters which read: "Heh, the point that was missed is that western culture would go nuts over a single cell plant life on mars ... But has such a disregard for human life that it fails to recognize the value and dignity deserving of unborn babies."

Heidi-the-abortionist and I went back and forth a few times, and the conversation came to an abrupt halt when I pointed out the absurdity of her arguments. I was not willing to budge on the fact that human life, from the moment of conception is valuable and has inherent dignity because we are created in God's image. Quickly I pointed to Psalm 139:13, "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb." 

I am offended at the fact that abortions happen at all, but I am incensed that anyone would dare presume to defend such actions. Let's be honest for a moment: abortion is nothing less than murdering the unborn, those who have not yet had the chance to take their first breath. How can abortion not make you outraged? There is no argument I will accept - and can hardly stand to listen to - because there is no excusing the murder of an unborn baby who is an inconvenience on you. I would rather spend hours listening to Latter-day Saints defending that they can become gods than the pathetic arguments defending abortion.

From the abortionist's perspective I suppose the unborn have committed one unforgivable crime: the sin of inconvenience. To the pro-abortionist I would like to ask: who do you think you are that you believe your happiness and ... life ... is more important than an innocent unborn life? True, babies are likewise guilty of the sin of Adam, but before other men they are innocent of all crimes. 

The Christian must recognize the value of all human life, even those that are helpless and cannot contribute to society. This includes much more than the unborn, such as the mentally retarded, those will serious diseases, the handicapped and otherwise disabled, and the elderly. Life is a gift from God and it is to be regarded as such. The Psalmist writes: "I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustains me" (Psalm 3:5, NASB). It was the Lord who created life, and it is the Lord who sustains everything that lives. Maybe it is the fact that I am a new father and still vividly remember seeing the first ultrasound of my little Molly in the womb of my beautiful wife, but I can't help but think that any argument defending abortion is a ridiculous one. 

50 million abortions, according to the Centers for Disease Control have been legally performed in the United States since 1973. Fifty. Million. Can you try to comprehend that number of people being murdered? I can't, and it breaks my heart to think that it would have been a protected right had Emily and I decided to abort Molly. Disgusting. 

All I can say to the pro-abortionist is: shame on you for defending murder of the most innocent and the most helpless in American society. American culture would do well to listen carefully to the words of Christ: "...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, NASB). Amen, and may the Ruler of heaven and earth grant our nation the ability to turn from our wickedness and to the true and living God.