Case Closed!

We live in a society and a world filled with diversity. There are so many different races no one can count or name them all. We also live in a world where acceptance is a major barrier. Children and adults are committing suicide because they are being bullied and not accepted. It is the premise of acceptance that prompted me to write this article. I recently saw some social media rants based on many debating different issues surrounding acceptance. Is it acceptable for a teacher to wear body hugging clothing? Do we accept it because her body may be fuller set than others? Is it acceptable for male, born a male, now believing he is a female be allowed in the restroom with other females, though he is still male? Do we accept it because we don’t want to offend him? Is it acceptable for a football player to refuse to stand because he feels his country has disrespected his race? Do we accept his right to protest when that is what the land of the free is supposed to be all about? Many have opinions on so many different things and they will say everyone must accept their opinions on those subjects in the same sentence where they refuse to accept someone’s different opinion on that very subject! I saw someone post a list of “what if’s,” things like; what if religion is a waste of time? What if there is not God? So if I pose the question, “what if God is real, why should that be a problem? If I am supposed to accept another’s right not to believe, don’t they have to accept my right to believe? Everyone always says “don’t judge, but at that moment they are judging, because they assume I am judging…it’s all exhausting. So let’s look to scripture. II Corinthians 5:9-10 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. At the end of the day only acceptance of Christ matters. Case Closed. If I’m wrong…you better be right! Think about it!

It's Automatic

Many call us the microwave generation. The children of today are considered, those born in the age of technology. Everything runs fast and, seemingly all the know-how you could ever need is just a “Google” away. If you know someone who still have dial up internet or a land-line communication device (telephone- LOL), these days that’s pretty much prehistoric. There are so many devices and conveniences in our day and age, it interests…me what will be next. I was recently eating lunch with my family and went into the restroom before eating. When I rose from the toilet, it flushed…automatically. When I approached the sink I placed my hand under the soap dispenser and soap landed on my palm…automatically. Once I had soap I only needed to place my hand under the facet and guess what…the water came out…automatically! Of course this is the norm but on this particular day it made me think. Of all the things in life that are automatic, how often do we recognize that, that’s how God’s forgiveness and grace work as well? The water in the sink didn’t question me about how dirty my hands were; a toilet doesn’t refuse to flush based on what was dumped into it. When you step on an automatic door, you don’t stop to survey whether or not the door will allow you to enter based on your past. Let us remember that when it comes to God’s grace. Christ was crucified and raised from the dead for the very reason of offering automatic forgiveness. All we need to do is ask. Now if I approach a sink knowing water will come out but I never stretch out my hand to receive the water what will I get? Nothing. Likewise, you can’t expect forgiveness, or change in your life if you do nothing. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as simple as that. It’s automatic. Think about it.