Monthly Archives: February 2018

An enduring government requires equal access and protections for…

Originally posted on Facebook on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

An enduring government requires equal access and protections for all citizens, otherwise it discriminates, which makes it possible for you to someday be discriminated against. Therefore, the best thing any of us can do as citizens is to actively seek a government that works well for every citizen, including those with whom we disagree.

Now, to my family in Christ in particular, we would be much more productive if we understood that our city, state or nation is neither the Church nor the Kingdom of God. What we believe is a matter of faith and it cannot be legislated or imposed -it comes by believing Jesus. But, let's not pretend that many of our reactions over the Starkville Pride Parade have anything to do with a love of God. Because if it did, we would be just as incensed about lying on our taxes as we are about homosexuality. Many of us are simply gripped by a fleshly desire to elevate ourselves above others. That's pride and discrimination and has nothing to do with God. Come out of the fire! Let us repent of our hypocrisy and seek God for wisdom on how to function profitably in and outside the household of faith and for the discernment to know the difference.

Until I Get My Life Right

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What I hear more than anything as I encounter people who consider themselves “unchurched”, is a reluctance to come to worship “until I get my life right.” Surprisingly, there is an element of this that is good theology and demonstrates a knowledge of God that many “churched” folks have lost as a result of their religion: God is holy and I must be holy or in “right standing” to enter into His presence. That’s truth.

But, here’s the good news (the gospel): God loves you so much and is so committed to being with you, that even before the beginning, He architected an ingenious Way for you to be in His presence without compromising His holiness. He provided a Savior able to pay the debt required for our sin and thereby making us able to be in right-standing (righteous). Not only that, but when we believe Christ, we’re given a new heart, HIS heart, a seed that grows unto a new spiritual man and empowers us to put to death our former, godless appetites. And, as we undergo the process of being re-made to look more and more like a Son of the Father (sanctification), we enter the presence of God by the blood (the work and person) of Christ. As a result, when God sees you, He sees His Son in whom He is well pleased so that you can dwell boldly in His presence. Hallelujah! #TheDoorOfTheChurchIsOpen

In loving memory of the greatest teacher of grace I’ve ever known, my mentor and friend, Dr. Gregory Wilson Jones.