Right-Living: It's Not About Our Opinions

In addition to pastoring, I work at a store. Sometimes I get into some good talks when on lunch. One day, I am in the lunchroom, on my lunch hour when I had an interesting discussion with a fellow employee who goes to a different church. I was talking about how I wished people (Christians especially) would honour God's Biblical institution of marriage instead of living together without marriage (which Biblically, is sin- see Hebrews 13:4). This is true for everyone but especially those professing to be Christians.

The response to me was "oh I can understand that... you're a minister... it's your opinion."

To which I replied, "No it's not my opinion."

Then the person said: "Yes it is. But that's old-school...this is the new school. Times have changed."

And then I insisted: "No it's not my opinion, it's the Word of God."

And I replied quoting the Biblical story of Mary and Joseph and how they got married first before having physical relations. I also said, "Actually, God's Word never changes. The flower fades the grass withers, but God's Word shall stand forever." (Read Isaiah 40:8 for yourself!)

I think there was some degree of understanding once I quoted that scripture, thanks to the work of the Holy Spirit. I assured this person that it's not about our past because he forgives us through Jesus when we call on Him. But now that we know the truth, what will we do? Turn back to sin? Will we regress or move forward?

God's word never changes

Why does God's word never change? Because it doesn't have to! It's PERFECT! God's written word points to the Living Word who goes by a name, His name is JESUS.

John 1:1 says (ESV) "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

John 1:14 says "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

John 1:17 says: "For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ."

Psalm 18:30 says: "This God--his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him."

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV) says: "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

Don't rely on human opinion or human trends! Jesus the WORD is perfect, and is the SAME forever! He doesn't NEED to change and get a new opinion because He is perfect. He stands forever. His lifestyle requirements stand the test of time.
Hebrews 13:8 (ESV) says: "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."

Heb 7:28 (ESV) "For the law appoints men in their weakness as high priests, but the word of the oath, which came later than the law, appoints a Son who has been made perfect forever."

When you bring the Word of God into it, it reminds us Christians it's not about our opinion. If God says something, then that is the truth. God Himself is truth. He gave us the written Bible to bless us with His view, so that we would no longer sin, but be forgiven and walk rightly in Him.

See it's not about what you've already done wrong. The Bible teaches us there is grace and forgiveness for our past present and future sins. (Read Acts 2:38 and 1 John 1:8,9 and see God's forgiveness to you through JESUS CHRIST!) Praise God! But now that you know it's wrong... what will you do about it? Will you willfully keep sinning? The Lord wants His followers, those who name Christ Jesus as Lord, to live in right relationship with Him, and with each other. He holds his church and followers accountable. Are you willing to change? If you turn from sin (repent) and turn to Jesus for forgiveness... you will be forgiven! Even if you inadvertently sin again by mistake (the flesh is weak), Jesus has already paid the price for it. We can confess to Him in prayer and He will forgive you again and again. But do not abuse it and sin on purpose, taking His love for granted. So this is a message of conviction (being passionately convinced to turn to God for forgiveness and lifestyle change) not a message of condemnation (unforgiveness and punishment).

The topic I mentioned in the above story is a hot one as many seem to be doing it. But the Bible (as being the Lord's word) is what a true Christian will read and live by. More is to come.

The question is... do you want to know the truth?

A lot of people don't want to know, because they realize that if they ever came to terms with the Scripture, they'd feel the burden (conviction) to change. Most people are comfortable where they are without God's instruction and relationship, but they don't realize they are comforting themselves all the way to hell for eternal punishment. God does not want that for any person. It's time to return to God's view, and accept Jesus as the "pilot" the "captain" of our lives. He will take us to eternal life! We live life in relationship to Jesus, so that we do not perish!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16 (ESV)

Remember, when it comes to what is "morally right", it's not our opinion that matters. If you really believe Jesus (as seen above in John 3:16), you'll obey Him! It's the Lord who says what is right (I am addressing Christians the most). And He gave us a written record to live by, the Holy Bible.

John 15:14 (ESV) Jesus says: "You are my friends if you do what I command you."

John 15:22 (ESV) Jesus says: "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin."

There is HELP for us to follow Jesus: Jesus said it in John 15:26 "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me."


"The grass withers, the flower fades, put the word of our God will stand forever." Isaiah 40:8 (ESV)

More to come...