I know this may sound strange, but in light of our cultural
shifts of the past few decades I think many of our brothers and sisters in
Christ need to be reminded that you are still allowed to believe. Despite what
politics, “political correctness”, culture and media may tell you, you are
still allowed to believe in Jesus today.
You are allowed to believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of
God. Go on, believe it. Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise. You are
allowed to believe that Jesus is part of the triune God who created the earth,
then joined us in human flesh to save us from ourselves. You are allowed to
believe that we killed him. And you are even allowed to believe that it was all
part of his perfect plan. That he rose from the dead to show his sovereignty.
That his blood covers our sins.
You are allowed to believe!
No need to hide it. No need to whisper it. No need to be
afraid to bring it up in conversation. Yes, there will be those who are
offended, but the Gospel has always offended. Some will push back. It’s ok.
That doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to believe. Some will argue, some will
shun. Some will ridicule. But at the end of the day, rest in this: you are
allowed to believe!
You are allowed to believe that sin is sin. And yes, you are even allowed to call sin a sin. Because God gave you that authority. Too many of us are terrified of calling out sin for fear of having that very well-worn scripture that reminds us to “judge not, lest ye be judged.” So let me lay it out for you. When you stand on scripture to call sin a sin, you are not judging. You’re simply relaying the judge’s message. You’re the court clerk. You’re simply reading the judge’s decision. Judgment has already been made on what is sin and what is not. The Supreme Judge made that decision. And yes, you’re allowed to believe that too.
You are allowed to believe that sin is sin. And yes, you are even allowed to call sin a sin. Because God gave you that authority. Too many of us are terrified of calling out sin for fear of having that very well-worn scripture that reminds us to “judge not, lest ye be judged.” So let me lay it out for you. When you stand on scripture to call sin a sin, you are not judging. You’re simply relaying the judge’s message. You’re the court clerk. You’re simply reading the judge’s decision. Judgment has already been made on what is sin and what is not. The Supreme Judge made that decision. And yes, you’re allowed to believe that too.
Society today is trying desperately to tell the Church that
you are not allowed to believe homosexuality is a sin. This is a lie. You are
allowed to believe. Not because “in your heart you know it’s wrong” but because
God said so. And you are allowed to believe in what God proclaims. It is a sin,
just as pride, stealing, killing, lying, cheating, coveting, envying, praying
to false gods, dishonoring your mother and father, and a whole list of other
sins. And it should be treated as such. With prayer, love, understanding that
we are all flawed, weak and in need of that very same blood of Jesus I
mentioned earlier. For too long the Church has been silent on this issue. Afraid
of calling sin a sin. Is it the most horrendous sin man can commit? No. But it
is sin. And you are allowed to believe it.
This world will tell you that marriage is nothing more than
a contractual agreement that can be defined by government. But you are allowed
to believe otherwise. You are allowed to believe scripture that tells us God’s
design is for marriage to be between a man and a woman. You are allowed to
believe that God created marriage as a holy union, not a mere piece of paper to
be used for political posturing, financial gain or social climbing. You are
allowed to believe.
This world will ask you to bow down at the feet of
celebrity. To celebrate those who would use money, sex and power to hold your
attention. They are the flash and bang of sideshow magicians of centuries past,
only their tricks are more impressive. But you are allowed to believe that
honesty and purity are better attributes than half-naked women gyrating on
stage for self-gain. This may surprise you, but you are allowed to believe that
it’s wrong for commercial products to appeal to sexuality to market their
goods. You are allowed to believe that good music doesn’t have to be about sex,
drugs, committing crimes or degrading women. You’re allowed to believe it.
You’re allowed to believe that television programs don’t have to force
offensive characters into their dialogue to make them interesting. You’re
allowed to believe that movies don’t have to glorify sex, murder and other worldly
ills. You’re allowed to believe it!
This is a great country. A powerful country. But we are
quickly becoming a country that says you’re only allowed to believe in
everything but scripture. Don’t believe that. You are allowed to believe. And
scripture tells us that God will bless any nation…any nation that trusts in God. If we want God to truly bless this
nation, we must remember that we are allowed to believe.
But for too long, we’ve been afraid to say what we believe.
We fear we have no right. And that is so wrong. We are allowed to believe.
And finally, this: you are allowed to believe that Jesus
loves you. You are allowed to believe that he desperately wants you to know
him. Seek him out. You’re allowed to believe that he has a plan for your life.
Yes, you. And his plan is good. Better than good. It’s beyond your
comprehension. You’re allowed to believe that if you just place this life in
his hands, the next one is going to be amazing.
So believe. It’s
okay, you’re allowed to.
