BiblicalInsights.net

President Obama says his position on same-sex marriage has evolved.  He now believes that same-sex couples should be able to get married.  He is the first sitting president of the United States to back same-sex marriage.  Among other things, he states, “And that is that, in the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people and, you know, I, you know, we are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others, but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated” (Corbett Daly–CBS News blog, May 9, 2012 quoting Obama who referenced his wife’s influence on his thinking about this issue).  I would like to make the following observations concerning this historical position by the president.
First,  his position redefines marriage.  The biblical view of marriage involves one man and one woman entering a covenant relationship that is intended to be for life (Matt. 19:1-9 and Rom. 7:1-3).  The marriage relationship is ordained by God and governed by God.  Homosexual marriage violates God’s design for marriage (Gen. 2:18-25).
Second, his view distorts scripture.  The Golden Rule is stated by Jesus in Matt. 7:12.  The Lord says, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.”  Jesus positively affirms the law of love as the basis of responsible treatment of human beings.  Love rejoices not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth (I Cor. 13:6).  Love takes no delight in the sin of homosexuality. Love rebukes sin and seeks to turn men away from it to God. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).
Third, his view reveals he does not believe homosexuality is a sin against God.  The apostle Paul wrote, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God” (I Cor. 6:9-10).  The phrase, “abusers of themselves with mankind” is a reference to sodomy or homosexuality.  Paul lists ten classes of individuals who are characterized as unrighteous and homosexuals are among them.  He goes on to say, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God” (I Cor. 6:11).  All sinners can be saved from their sin through the power of the love of God and the cross of Jesus Christ!  This is good news.  Sinners must repent and turn to the Lord in order to be saved (Acts 2:37-39; 3:19).  Love seeks the highest good of others.  The salvation of their souls is the most important thing.
Fourth, his view on a moral issue has evolved.  The president has changed his view on homosexual marriage.  Why the change?  Why now?  Truth does not change!  Whenever a person is guided by the truth, he/she stands on principled conviction.  The president’s faith is changing to conform to cultural and political pressures rather than spiritual conformity to God’s Word.  Change away from God is never good.  Should we seek to please men or God? (Gal. 1:10; John 12:43).
Fifth, his views will influence many people to be accepting of a moral evil.  Whenever evil is normalized by government, it is always destructive not productive.  “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isa. 5:20).  A woe is a warning of judgment by God.  “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Proverbs 14:34).

Dan Gilgoff reported recently in CNN’s online Belief Blog that columnist Dan Savage stands by comments on ‘bull**t in the Bible.’  The column appeared on May 1, 2012.  Savage is a gay-rights activitist.  In a recent speech on bullying, Savage made the remark that “we can learn to ignore the bull**t in the Bible about gay people.”  The remarks were made at a conference for high school students during which some students walked out.  When the students walked out, Savage remarked, “It’s funny to someone who is on the receiving end of beatings that are justified by the Bible how pansay**ed people react when you push back.”  Later, Savage apologized for that specific remark in Sunday’s blog post, writing that his word choice “was insulting, it was name-calling, and it was wrong.”
I would like to make some observations regarding this incident.  First, Savage was clearly disrepectful of his audience and insulted many of their values and beliefs.  These students will never forget this incident.  It is one of those memories created that defines the debate about a moral issue like homosexuality.  Second, Savage blasphemes the Bible.  The Bible is God’s Word.  It is the voice of God to man.  Consequently, Savage blasphemed God.  The word blaspheme means “to speak against that which is holy.”  Savage manifests blatant disrespect for God’s Word.  Perhaps that is why he advocates sin against God.  Third, Savage manifests blatant hypocrisy.  He says he is against bullying and then turns around and bullies others who disagree with him.  He held a positiion of authority and totally destroyed his integrity as a speaker.  He is no longer credible.
The homosexual issue is being pressed by many today.  The push is one to legitimize this sin in our culture and throughout the world.  Swearing at the Bible’s teaching does not alter what God has said.  Consider a few thoughts from scripture.  “For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Romans 1:26-27).  This is one of the passages that Savage denigrated in his speech.  Vehement protestations will not change the truth of God’s Word.

Astrology is a type of divination based on the construction of a horoscope for an exact moment such as a person’s birth.  A horoscope is a chart or diagram representing the positions of the sun, moon and planets and sensitive angles at the time of an event such as the moment of one’s birth.  The word horoscope means, “a look at the hours.”
An interesting observation was made by Belinda Luscombe in an article that appeared in Time magazine January 31, 2011.  It was titled, “Zodiac Switcheroo.”  The article stated that Parke Kunkle of the Minnesota Planetarium Society rocked the world of astrology on January 13, 2011, when he revealed that the traditional “star signs” used to determine horoscopes are wrong for most people.  It seems that the astrogogical signs codified by Ptolemy in the second century have changed since then, shifting most people to another sign.  This means that the 25% of Americans who believe in astrology have been reading the wrong horoscopes all of their lives.  Some professional astrologers claim they have always known this, but their followers certainly have not (Belinda Luscombe, “Zodiac Switcheroo,” Time, January 31, 2011 as quoted by Bob Prichard, Oxford, Alabama, House to House, vol. 31, March 24, 2011).
In Job 31:24-28, Job remarks, “If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, Thou art my confidence; If I rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because mine hand had gotten much; If I beheld the sun when it shined or the moon walking in brightness; And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand: This also were an iniquity to be punished by the judge: for I should have denied the God that is above.”
First, Job refused to trust in gold.  Riches are uncertain and temporal.  Second, he refused to trust in false gods.  False gods are worse than gold.  False gods are nothing whereas, with gold, at least you have the power to purchase something.  Job refuses to trust in either because that misplaced trust would amount to a denial of the one, true, and living God.  Job affirms an uncompromising monotheism.
The sun, moon and stars are not to be worshipped.  They do not shape one’s personality or determine any aspect of one’s life.  But, trust in God relies upon God’s wisdom to guide and lead us to become all that God desires for us to be.  God can and will shape our character and our future.

Greg Ogden in The Essential Commandment relates a story that occurred during the life of the late Senator Robert Kennedy.  During a visit to Brazil, Kennedy was taken to the interior to observe some of the tribal life.  Through an interpreter, he was introduced to a native Brazilian who had been recently converted to Christ.  Kennedy told the interpreter to ask him what he enjoys doing the most.  The native Brazilian’s surprising reply was, “Being occupied with God.”  The senator, expecting the man to say something like fishing or hunting, was convinced that something had been lost in translation.  So, he repeated the question, only to hear the same reply:  “Being occupied with God.” (p. 25). 
What do you enjoy doing most?  What gives you the greatest delight?  These question test our interests and affections.  They probe the heart.  Long ago the Psalmist answered these questions.
First, delight in the LORD.  “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart” (Psa. 37:4).  The first object of human affections should be God.  The love of devotion to God manifests itself in complete surrender to His purposes for our life. 
Second, delight in the law of the LORD.  “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night” (Psa. 1:1-2).  The law of the LORD is a treasure house of wisdom and instruction.  It is a piece of the mind of God revealed to the hearts of men.  It instructs in the way of righteousness or the pathway to heaven. 
Third, delight in obeying the will of God.  “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart” (Psa. 40:8).  It is one thing to know God and His will and quite another to obey it.  Our lives will never experience the complete transformation that God intends unless we obey His will.  God’s will is revealed in His Word.  God’s Word calls us to a life of holiness (I Thess. 4:7).  James exhorts us to “be doers of the word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). 
What do you enjoy doing the most?  

For too long we have regarded forgiveness with an effeminate virtue of the wishy-washy and weak.  As a result, we crusade with the sword instead of the cross.  Jesus said, “for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword” (Matt. 26:52).  We know that there is no lasting progress made without love that cares enough and dares enough to suffer–love that is brave enough to seem slow and soft–love that is not afraid to lay itself down in mercy to redeem.  Forgiveness does redeem.  It redeems us to God and to each other.  While on the cross, Jesus redeemed one of the two thieves who were being crucified along with Him.  The centurion who superintended the crucifixion was overcome with faith and hailed Jesus as the Son of God.  The power of forgiveness has reached forth from the cross and touched untold millions.
The power of forgiveness is manifested in three distinct ways.  First, the act of forgiveness is a demonstration of self-control.  Self-control is a major aspect of forgiveness.  Jesus was goaded to “save himself.”  In Luke 23:35, the scriptures state, “And the people stood beholding.  And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.”  Jesus could have called twelve legions of angels to deliver Him in that moment.  However, He exercises self-restraint in the face of such mockery.  This is meekness.  Meekness is strength or power under control.  Jesus exercised self-control in order to speak the words, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Second, there is power in forgiveness to chasten and rebuke.  Listen to Paul, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head”  (Rom. 12:20).  There is a power in goodness.  We can overcome evil with good.  Forgiveness taps that power and turns it on one’s enemies.
Third, there is power in forgiveness to strengthen the forgiver himself.  When Jesus prayed for His enemies He beat back the spirits of anger and revenge which try to poison the soul.  “The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh” (Prov. 11:17).  “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee” (Prov. 25:21-22).  Forgive and the LORD shall reward thee.  “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7).
Forgiveness has a power all its own.  It blesses twice.  It blesses the one forgiven and it blesses the one who forgives.  Without the spirit of forgiveness, we shall never obtain mercy from God.

The betrayal and arrest of Jesus exhibit the power of darkness in the human heart.  When we see such, we turn away.  We shutter at the capacity of the human heart for sinful conduct.  We wince at the darkness that can envelope the human soul.  When we see the true nature of sin and its capacity to reign in the hearts of men, confirmation is made of the need for salvation.

THE BETRAYAL OF JESUS

In Luke 22:3 we learn of the conspiracy made by Judas Iscariot and Jewish leaders to betray Jesus.  While Jesus was completing His discourses in the upper room, a conspiracy to take His life had commenced.  Judas was a key player in this event.  The chief priests and scribes actively sought to kill Jesus.  The treachery born in their hearts involved evil thoughts, motives and actions.  Now, they waited for the right time and place to carry out their dark intentions.
Satan entered into Judas (Luke 22:3).  Satan suggests to Judas evil thoughts that develop into evil intents and eventually bring forth evil actions.  Judas does not resist.  Satan does not flee.  Judas was one of the twelve apostles.  His treachery will forever mark him as a traitor.  Judas’ role in the plot to kill Jesus involved identifying Jesus and delivering Him to the captains of the temple for arrest.  The Jewish leaders feared the people (Luke 22:2) so they had to plan to arrest Jesus in some obscure place and under secrecy if possible.  Jesus sought a place of solitude to fortify His spirit.  He chose the Garden of Gethsemane.  In this garden, late at night (around midnight)–the perfect time and place–the arrest was made.  Earlier that night, Jesus had revealed that Judas would betray Him.  Yet, this exposure did not deter Judas.  Evil intents gripped his heart.  It is the power of darkness.
Judas agreed to betray Jesus for money–thirty pieces of silver (Matt. 27:9; Luke 22:5).  Judas was a thief (John 12:5-6).  Money adds to the motive and helps fire the evil intent.  Judas made a profit from the conspiracy, but afterward, the blood money tormented his conscience and he rid himself of it.  The devil says everyman has his price.  What’s yours?  It is the power of darkness.

THE ARREST.

After Jesus’ agony in the Garden, while He yet spake the words of warning to His disciples, the band of men who would arrest Him entered.  Judas led them (Luke 22:47).  The betrayal was accomplished with a kiss.  A kiss would normally be the sign of friendship.  The incongruity of the moment caused Jesus to say, “Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?”  The breach of trust is obvious.  It is the power of darkness.
Jesus’ friends did not remain passive.  They were ready to fight as promised.  Peter draws his sword and cuts off the right ear of Malchus, a servant of the high priest.  Jesus rebuked Peter and healed Malchus.
Jesus then spoke to the chief priests, captains of the temple and elders and said, “Be ye come out as against a thief with swords and staves?”  The Lord was not a violent man.  He had never been a violent man.  When He was teaching daily in the temple they did not attempt to arrest Him (Luke 22:53).  What would they arrest Him for?  For teaching eternal truths?  For the miracles He performed?  Their actions were unfounded.  It is the power of darkness.
They led Jesus away to the house of the high priest to begin to interrogate Him.  Nothing He said would stop them from doing what they had imagined and schemed for so long.  Their envy and jealousy was fully developed.  They will kill Him.  It is the power of darkness!

EVIL WITHIN

Satan tempts the human heart to think, intend and do evil things.  In the moment of temptation, we have the will to decide to act to either glorify God or succumb to Satan’s lies.  In that moment, either the power of righteousness and truth will prevail or the power of darkness.  We decide.  When we sin, it is the power of darkness.
Is there any hope for people in the grip of evil?  Yes.  Jesus died to liberate them from sin–its practice and its eternal consequences.   It is the power of love! (Acts 2:38; Eph. 1:7).

I have recently published a new book review.  The book is The Secret of Contentment by William Barcley.  Barcely addresses the problem of discontentment.  According to Gregg Easterbook’s book, The Progress Paradox: How Life Gets Better While People Feel Worse, we are living in an age of discontentment.  Barcley draws upon Easterbook’s work as well as some Puritan classics including Jeremiah Burrough’s, The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment and Thomas Watson’s, The Art of Divine Contentment. 
The book is divided into two Parts.  Part I deals with the pursuit of contentment.  Part II addresses the mystery of contentment.  Here are some of the important quotations from the book.  John Piper stated, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”  Jeremiah Burrough’s defines contentment as: “Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God’s wise and fatherly disposal in every condition.”  Contentment is being satisfied with God’s sufficiency (His grace). 
There is much more to read and learn.  You can start by reading the full review on the book review page of this blog.  Good reading!