Motivated Intern or "Fire Insurance"

         My daily bible reading is a little Old Testament and a little New Testament. I read it all, no skipping, even if I can't pronounce the names. Even when my brain goes off on an ADD rabbit trail and wonders what some of these guys nicknames were. Today there was a passage in Deuteronomy that was particularly rebukeful. Yeah, that's not a word, but you get it. Deuteronomy 4:2 "You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God. 5 “Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’
            We are all guilty of this my friends. We get in a bind spiritually and we bend the rules ever so slightly to suit our needs. We rationalize and make statements like, "God want's me to be happy" or "God doesn't want anyone to suffer". Gay people get a bad rap in our culture today, because Christians can see that their beliefs are in direct defiance to God's law. But my Christian friends, what about divorce, premarital sex, smoking, drinking excessively, unwholesome talk, gossip and other acts of mistrust of our God or defiance of his word. If we are called to be a Christian, shouldn't we want to get to know the leader of the movement? Shouldn't we want to get to know His core values and aspirations. Or are we simply in it for the "Fire Insurance".
           Are you living your life according to the Word of God or a Boutique Gospel finely crafted detailed so that it fits specifically and uniquely into your life without inconveniencing you? Has God called you to kick your porn habits my straight, guy friends who are in a relationship with a nice young lady? Has God called you to pray for your Ex you broke up with years ago, but still holds you in emotional bondage to this day? He is calling you to get right with Him. He is calling you to live a life evidenced by the scripture "YOu will know them by their fruits." Gentleman, put down your penises and your video game controllers, engage the world and be the mighty men of valor that God has called you to be. God is calling you to the word today my friends.
          Matthew 7:3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?" We must work on ourselves first. If you are already in the process of drowning yourself, what strength will you have to save other drowning victims. Get to the beach, get yourself in shape and head back into the water as a rescuer not someone who simply muddles the equation with your spiritual duality. Christian friends and foes, we are called to be salt and light in today's world. So stop being a jalapeño pepper in the Banana Pudding. If your life doesn't represent the love of Christ to a dying, hurting world, then please stop interacting with them and let those who love Christ and are carrying his cross daily do all the talking.
          I disagree with the moniker of "Gay Christian", because it's a life with stipulations and agendas, not one surrendered to the Christ of the bible. But truth be told, if Christ were to put modifiers on our Christian walk, what might they be? Republican Christian, Liberal Christian, Prideful Christian, Lustful Christian, Gossiping Christian, Alcoholic Christian, Non-surrendered Christian, Pseudo Christian or Good time Christian? Christ has called us to live a life without sin, yet when we do get our feet marred by walking in the blackness of sin He grants forgiveness. Forgiveness for the occasional slip up and the long term love affair that many of us have raging on with our vices. The price of Sin is great. And surprise, our "personal and private" sin costs others just as much in the long run.
           There it is my friends. My rant is over, but let the concentric circles of its spiritual influence give you cause for pause today. Christ is calling us all to redemption, not just those whose sin you disagree with or those whose sin easily identified and labelled. In reference to Jesus, Acts 4:12 says "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." All those who call on the name of the Lord will be save my friends; from anything and everything that stands in the way of God's complete work in your life.